Moisturisers with an SPF are an important MUST-HAVE for your daily routine and should be worn every day all year round. If you are serious about healthy skin and want to protect your skin from damage then you must wear SPF which stands for sun protection factor. Using sunscreen on a daily basis should be the most important part of your skincare routine as it reduces the risk of skin cancer, hyperpigmentation and prevents premature ageing. It is important to protect your skin and even if there is no sun you must still wear SPF during daylight as UV rays are still present. With the gradual depletion of the ozone layer, there is more concern with the level of UV rays reaching the earth. It is good to start wearing sunscreen at a young age. It is better to prevent than to treat.
You can choose a face cream with SPF or if you prefer you can wear your sunscreen on top of your favourite day cream.
Common questions asked on how to apply sunscreen.
How much sunscreen for face?
You should apply 1/3 to 1/2 teaspoon generously covering the face including neck, eyes, lips and ears.
How long does sunscreen last?
The higher the factor the longer the protection. For example, if your skin burns unprotected after 10 minutes exposure to the sun then an SPF30 would last 30 times that duration or 5 hours. However, it can wear off after swimming or sweating so bear that in mind with how often should you reapply sunscreen. It is advisable to reapply every two to three hours or when you get out of water or if you sweat. If you can help it then wear a face moisturiser with SPF50 to be safe.
It is better to look for a day cream with SPF which has broad-spectrum which means it protects against both UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays are the ageing rays which can prematurely age your skin so you need UVA protection and UVB rays can burn your skin so you need it for sun protection. Too much exposure to both these rays can cause damage to your skin. Always avoid the sun at peak hours of 10 am-4 pm and wear protective clothing.
There are various types of sunscreens for the face with different textures and consistency for all skin types. Historically sunscreens were known to be thick, sticky, greasy and pore blocking and leave a white streak. The good news is with advanced technology and new formulas sunscreens are a pleasure to use and can double up as your day moisturiser. You may need to research to find the right one for your skin type. Here are a few we recommend:
Marine Cream SPF30
Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream SPF30 is an excellent moisturiser with SPF30. It has broad-spectrum protection meaning it protects from UVA and UVB and is very good for dry skin. It is a rich cream which moisturises and is the ultimate anti-ageing day cream with powerful combination of ingredients which protects and helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. It leaves no white streaks on the skin and hydrates and nourishes the skin.
Hydrating Fluid SPF30
Decleor Hydra Floral Anti-Pollution Hydrating Fluid SPF30 is a hydrating day cream which protects against UVB rays. It is good for skin which is dehydrated and contains hyaluronic acid and essential oils which helps plump fine lines and leaves skin feeling fresh and smooth. It has a fresh fragrance and transparent texture and is suitable for normal to dry skin.
Oil-Free Gel SPF 50
Heliocare range is highly recommended by aesthetic doctors as it gives full protection from UVA, UVB, visible light and infrared rays. The Heliocare 360º Gel Oil-Free is a light texture gel with a dry touch and matt finish. It is the perfect oil-free moisturiser with SPF and helps regulate sebum control which is the oil in your skin. It is non-comedogenic so will not clog the pores. It has patented ingredient called Fernblock to give maximum skin protection. It is an ideal SPF for oily skin and acne-prone skin as it leaves a smooth dry finish and does not feel heavy and greasy.
Mineral Tolerance Fluid SPF 50
The Heliocare 360º Mineral Tolerance Fluid SPF 50 gives high full-spectrum protection with PA rating PA++++ and SPF50. It is ideal sunscreen for sensitive skin as it has a 100% Mineral-Filter formulation. It has a light fluid texture which gives maximum photo immune protection and the patented ingredient Fernblock gives full protection. It protects against UVA, UVB, Infrared A and visible light from our phones and computers which cause harm to our skin. It is easily absorbed, leaving a matt ultra-smooth finish with a non-whitening effect on the skin. It is lightweight and non-comedogenic and it does not block pores.
You will find a huge range of SPF creams and lotions out there. The most important is to use one which has the right protection and good ingredients for your skin type.
- You can get tinted moisturiser with SPF which gives you light coverage.
- You can get sunscreen spray which can be sprayed directly on top of your make up and won’t mess it up.
- You can get natural, tanning, gel or lotion sunscreens.
If you opt to use a moisturiser without sunscreen then It is best to apply your sunscreen on top as the last product before your make up.