Should you wear spf every day?
Contrary to common belief, that you only need sun screen on a hot summer's day or tropical trips abroad, you actually need to be applying SPF every single day - yes, even when it’s not sunny.
From sun damaged skin, premature skin aging and even the risk of skin cancer there are a multitude of reasons why you need to make SPF one of the most important steps of your daily morning skincare routine.
What is SPF?
SPF stands for ‘Sun Protection Factor’ and is an indication of how well a skincare product protects your skin from the sun’s UV rays. When deciding on skincare and suncream it is important to remember that the higher the SPF rating, the greater level of protection.
Lip care with SPF
UVA vs UVB
UV is the blanket term used to refer to ultraviolet radiation. There are 2 key types of UV radiation, UVA and UVB.
UVA refers to longer wavelength UV rays which typically penetrate deeper into your skin and causes dark spots and premature skin aging.
UVB has a shorter wavelength, so that it affects more of the top layers of your skin, causing sun burns.
A Broad-Spectrum SPF will protect your skin from both.
How long does SPF 50 last?
How long an SPF will protect your skin from sun damage depends on a number of factors including skin type, sun exposure conditions, perspiration and physical activity.
As a general guide, SPF offers the following levels of protection:
SPF 15: Protects from 93% of UV Rays - Reapply every 2 hours
SPF 30: Protects from 97% of UV Rays - Reapply every 2-3 hours
SPF 50: Protects from 98% of UV Rays - Reapply every 2-3 hours
Did you know?
‘Getting sunburnt just once every 2 years can triple your risk of skin cancer’ Cancer Research UK
Benefits of wearing SPF every day
Incorporating an SPF into your daily skincare routine is important not just for your appearance but also your overall health, as sun damaged skin can cause more than just aesthetic issues…
Minimises skin aging: Wearing an SPF will help you to stay looking youthful for longer as UV rays from the sun can contribute to fine lines, wrinkles, age spots and also sagging skin.
Protects against sun damaged skin: Skin that has been under- exposed to SPF and overexposed to the sun in the long term, can cause hyperpigmentation otherwise known as ‘sun spots’ which are dark spots or patches of skin most common on the face, hands, shoulders and arms.
Prevents sunburn: Apart from causing severe redness, sunburn is also very painful and can cause a lot of irritation which can require a taxing aftercare routine.
Reduces risk of skin cancer: The main cause of skin cancer is over exposure to UV rays. Wearing SPF creates a protective shield to block these harmful UV rays penetrating the skin reducing your risk of developing skin cancer.
If you have any concerns regarding the health of your skin, we always recommend that you speak to a dermatologist or your GP.
Did you also know?
‘The number of men being diagnosed with skin cancer has increased by 50% over the last 10 years’
Cancer Research UK
Men's Makeup with SPF
Are men more prone to skin cancer than women?
There are several factors that can contribute to men having higher rates of skin cancer than women:
- Men typically spend more time outdoors than women because of hobbies and occupational reasons meaning they are exposed to the sun more often.
- Studies have shown that men are less likely to use SPF and take other protective measures meaning they have a higher chance of suffering from sunburn and sun damaged skin.
- Men are more prone to getting skin cancer on their torso and back area which can be difficult to detect skin/mole changes and also men can be less proactive than women when it comes to seeking medical advice.
- It is thought that men’s thicker skin which has less underlying fat and more fibers is more susceptible to UV damage.
Regardless of your gender, age or skin type you should be wearing SPF daily to minimise your risk of developing skin cancer.
Adding SPF to your daily morning skincare routine
The great thing about SPF is that it can easily be incorporated into your usual routine and you can even purchase other skincare products that already have SPF within the formulas.
The Shakeup BB Cream is a quick way to easily add an SPF into your existing morning skincare routine.