Do I need an SPF every day?

I'm often asked - do I need an SPF every day?

I say yes, wearing an SPF every day should be part of your routine. Why? SPF sun creams don’t simply protect against sunburn, but protect against the harm that can be done by UVA and UVB rays that results in pigment spots, fine lines, dehydrated skin and accelerated signs of ageing.

Think of it like this:

UVB rays = Burny rays

UVA rays = Ageing rays

‌UVB rays have a short wavelength that can only reach the outer layer of your skin, the epidermis. They can burn the skin, and have been proven to play an important role in the formation of skin cancers, especially the very nasty malignant melanoma.

UVA rays have a longer wavelength than UVB rays. They can enter the middle layer of your skin, the dermis. UVA rays are those behind photoaging - the premature ageing of skin and the associated visible symptoms we all know and love. Not.

As we’re all about skin health here at SkinGoal SkinCare HQ, we believe prevention of signs of ageing is better than cure, so here’s my guide to the optimum approach to using SPFs.

Guide to your optimum approach to using SPFs

First of all to say, if you do suffer with Melasma or hyper-pigmentation or any other pigmentation condition it is SPF50 all the way, every day in or outdoors (except overnight).. for everyone else, here is our guide.

Indoors and every day: Use a good moisturiser with a built in SPF, minimum 20. I developed Cream Solar 20 just for this purpose. It works as a powerful cream moisturiser, with added protection for light sun exposure.

When heading outside between October and April: Use a good moisturiser with a built-in SPF, minimum of 15, and top up with a sun cream with an SPF minimum 20. Your moisturiser is great for indoors use, or just popping out to the shops, but if you’re heading off on a longer walk, I recommend you boost it with an extra layer of protection. This isn’t about shielding from UVB rays, it’s about avoiding the UVA rays that age our skin.

When heading outside between May and September: You should always apply an additional SPF, 30 or 50, when heading outside during these months when the sun is, quite literally, closer to us and we need protection from UVA and UVB rays. Limit your exposure as much as you can - wear a hat and stay in the shade as much as possible. The SkinGoal Solar 50 sun protection cream is your must-have for sun exposure. It’s broad spectrum, so blocks both UVB and UVA rays, and offers the additional hydration skins needs in this challenging environment.

When devoting yourself to some sunbathing in more southern or tropical climes: ideally I wouldn’t recommend you spread yourself on a sunbed to soak up some rays for more than 15 minutes at a time, but we both know that holidays are made for lounging about in the sun, and, let’s face it, the trend for that sunkissed look isn’t going away fast. Keep applying suncream, an SPF50, especially to your face, which will likely be a bit sweaty. Pay close attention to the area under your eyes where your sunglasses sit, and the bridge of your nose. Make sure you don’t forget your eyebrows and ears - don’t laugh, you’d be amazed how many people do! Make sure lips are covered, or invest in an SPF50 lip balm. Drink LOTS of water and make sure you choose a bed with an umbrella. Sun kissed is a way better look than sun burned. Buy a big hat and make like Audrey Hepburn - the most elegant of ladies and one you’d never spot with a suntan!

Enjoy your summer - but stay sun safe!