This article explores why SPF is important and the benefits that it provides in skincare products.
All skin types and skin tones can be affected by sun damage, being impacted by a wide variety of different variables. In this article we explore why SPF is important and the benefits that it provides when included in skincare products.
Choosing the right sunscreen product is so important. The right skincare products can help protect your skin from dangerous levels of sun exposure and harmful UV rays. The best skincare products will offer a higher sun protection factor more commonly referred to as SPF protection.
What Is SPF?
When you choose a skincare product, you might notice that it has an SPF rating. It could be rated as SPF 15 skin protection, SPF 20 or SPF 50 depending on the product. A higher rating means that the product will provide protection against the different UV rays for longer before you need to reapply.
When it comes to SPF the higher the number, the more time you can spend outside, especially when out in the sun, without running the risk of redding and burning due to the exposure of harmful UV rays. SPF 15 provides protection for 93% of UVB rays. In contrast, SPF 50 fends off 98% of UVB rays. While the difference may seem small it is most certainly significant.
It’s important to be aware that there are two different types of UV rays. These are UVA and UVB rays, something which is often overlooked. If a product protects against UVA rays, it will have these letters in a circle on the product. If it protects against both UVA and UVB rays, then it is referred to as broad-spectrum UV protection and should contain both chemical and physical protection.
When launching our SkinGoal solar range we wanted to ensure we offer broad spectrum products. This includes Solar 50 which provides effective UVA/UVB protection plus hydration for a healthier, younger-looking complexion. Remember when choosing a sunscreen check which UV rays you are protected against.
Why Do You Need To Wear SPF Products Every Day?
We should all wear sun protection products every day. Many people tend to assume that if the sky is overcast then the sun cannot burn or damage your skin. This is not true. Harmful UVA rays can penetrate cloud cover and as such, can still cause harm, even if it doesn’t feel hot or seem sunny outside. This is why experts recommend that you wear products like this every day to protect your skin from the harmful effects of ultra violet and reduce the risk of skin cancer.
If you are using sun cream through the summer months, you will also need to reapply it more regularly, every two hours is best practice. Particularly, if it is not water resistant and you are spending a lot of time in the pool or it is very hot and you are perspiring.
Other Reasons SPF Is Important
There are many reasons why you should use sun protection factor products.
It can help reduce issues with ageing caused by sun exposure. This includes the development of fine lines, wrinkles and loss of elasticity in the skin. UV rays and high levels of sun exposure prematurely age sensitive skin as well as various other skin types.
Photoaging is more likely to affect those with lighter skin and in those skins it can cause sun spots, damage to collagen including lines and wrinkles. Darker skin can also be photodamaged and both can develop skin cancer although, Interestingly, collagen is not as affected due to the different types of melanin that darker skin types have. Needless to say, SPF is important no matter what your skin type to help combat skin damage.
Cream Solar 20 is one of the best products to add to your daily skincare routine if you want a sun cream that provides anti-ageing benefits as well as SPF20 protection. The moisturising formula will also leave skin feeling soft and beautiful while providing daily sun protection. Cream Solar 20’s ultra-light formulation is just perfect for those starting to use a daily sun protection and has those magic, all important peptides.
Does skin feel dry and dehydrated?
Dry Skin – exposure to the sun may reduce the moisture and essential oils on the skin’s surface, it can make this skin type even more dry. After being exposed to the sun, dry skin can look incredibly dehydrated, look flaky, and feel tight to the touch. By hydrating it and giving it SPF protection, you can protect dry skin.
How To Use SPF Products
As mentioned earlier SPF products should be used daily to offer your skin the best protection. SPF products should especially be applied whenever you plan on spending a lot of time outside. You should also check the recommendations on a specific product to determine how often it needs to be reapplied throughout the day. Products containing SPF should never be used in your night-time skincare routine.
We hope this helps you understand why SPF is important for the health of your skin and how SPF can help with many different skin concerns such as helping to prevent premature skin ageing caused by the sun, including wrinkles, sagging and age spots. The solar range available from SkinGoal provides the ultimate level of protection in our Solar 50, with broad spectrum protection and is beautifully light and absorbent. Cream Solar 20 has lighter protection along with powerful anti-ageing properties, antioxidants, peptides, hydration and protection, what more could you ask!