Summer is just around the corner, and whilst you should be wearing SPF all year round. Ultra violet radiation is at it’s highest during the summer months, meaning you need to be more vigilant than ever in order to protect your skin. Our expert shares top myths when it comes to sunscreen below:
Myth: Sunscreen causes breakouts
If you find that your current sunblock is causing congestion and/or breakouts, this could possibly mean that it is simply the wrong formulation for your skin type. When choosing an SPF, ensure you look at the other ingredients in the formulation that are going to benefit an oily skin type. Keep an eye out for oil-absorbing ingredients that give a matte finish to reduce shine such as natural tapioca. We love products like Oil Free Matte SPF30 and Clearing Defense SPF30 for oily/breakout-prone skins.
Myth: The higher SPF means more protection
Whilst it is important to go for a higher number when it comes to SPF, you need to take into account your skin type and natural burn time to work out how long a sunscreen will last. For example, if in full sun with no SPF applied your skin would normally burn after 10 minutes, an SPF15 would allow you to stay in the sun without getting burnt for an additional 150 minutes (a factor of 15x longer than your natural burn time). Other factors that need to be taken into consideration are the amount of sunscreen used and the intensity of the sun on that occasion. We recommend applying two finger lengths of your SPF, 30 minutes prior to sun exposure for maximum coverage, also remember to reapply SPF after sweating, swimming, or spending a lot of time outdoors.
Myth: I don’t need to apply SPF as I have it in my makeup
Whilst many makeup products, such as foundation and BB/CC creams do contain SPF, this is very rarely broad spectrum protection. Broad spectrum ensures the skin is protected from UVA and UVB rays. An SPF15 foundation is not going to provide enough coverage over the skin to protect you for the day, simply because you won’t be able to use enough of it to get the benefit. We recommend applying a minimum of SPF30 with your moisturiser then applying your makeup on top for added protection. A great addition to your makeup routine is our Skin Perfect Primer SPF30, it provides broad spectrum protection to shield against both UVA and UVB, whilst giving a neutral tint to the skin.
Myth: I work inside all day so don’t need to wear SPF
Even if you are not in direct sunlight for a large chunk of your day, the skin is still getting penetrated by UV rays. Exposure time can be as simple as walking from your home to your car, or from your car to the door of work. Every little bit of UV radiation soon stacks up!
Windows provide little to no protection from UV rays and UV radiation can even double when reflecting off a surface like white paint. Make SPF part of your everyday routine with a broad spectrum sunscreen built into your moisturiser, we love Prisma Protect SPF30 and Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF50 for high protection without feeling as though you’re adding an extra step into your routine, the formulations are advanced and feel great on the skin, so you won’t even know you’re wearing it.
Myth: I don’t burn, so don’t need to apply SPF.
Wrong! Just because your skin is better at protecting you naturally due to higher levels of melanin present, damage is still being done. When looking at Ultraviolet radiation, there are two types. UVB rays (think of UV burning) are the rays that penetrate the top layers of the skins surface and are responsible for burning the skin and causing damage such as skin cancers. UVA rays (think UV Ageing) are radiation wavelengths that can travel deeper into the layers of the skin and attack our collagen and elastin, this is what is responsible for up to 80% of the ageing we see on our skin as we get older. The formation of lines, wrinkles, uneven skin tone and loss of firmness should be enough to ensure even darker skins wear SPF every day.
All Dermalogica SPF products provide broad-spectrum protection with a minimum of SPF30. For a full list of our SPF options please head to spf — Dermalogica NZ or chat to one of our online skin therapist’s to discuss which SPF product is the right one for you.