How To Make SPF Work For You

We’ve all heard that daily SPF is a skin essential, but often in our cloudy climate it’s easy to think we’re safe, there’s not much sun, let’s just skip it. But wait, what’s that? Oh, it’s the sound of every skin professional in the land roaring PUT ON THE SPF! Why is that? Turns out, UVA rays speed up the aging process and these rays are always present, no matter the weather and can even reach us through windows. UVA damages skin cells in almost all the layers of our skin which leads to visible signs of aging such as wrinkles, fine lines and uneven pigmentation. UVB rays are the ones that cause sunburn and suntan and damage the top layers of skin. Only sunscreen labeled broad spectrum will protect your skin from both UVA and UVB rays. As well as helping to protect against skin cancer, broad-spectrum sunscreen helps prevent premature skin aging every.single.day.

So, with all that in mind, we’ve put together a fuss-free guide on how to turn SPF application from a chore into a lovely pampering part of your skincare routine.

1. Find your formula
First up, find a formula you love applying and that loves your skin right back. Some of us will remember the sticky 1980s sun oils that smelled like cocktails and caused almost instant breakouts. Fortunately, that’s all in the past! The latest formulations are lightweight, smooth, and contain ingredients that work to improve the look and feel of skin too.

Our physical sunscreens include a combination of micronized zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to protect the skin from damaging rays and come in six different varieties so you can find your perfect daily blend. The varying textures are a joy to apply, and all are packed with antioxidants to help diminish signs of damage. If you know exactly what your skin prefers, try our new connect to buy option and order a tube right away. For a more tailored approach, we always recommend chatting with a skin expert for advice that takes into account your skin’s needs, your goals and lifestyle, click here to connect to a professional for a worthwhile consultation.

2. Join the SPF Everyday club

Next, join the SPF everyday club, by making your sunscreen a non-negotiable part of your morning routine; as second-nature as cleaning your teeth or making that first cup of coffee (shout out to the caffeine fans out there!). Apparently, it takes about 21 days to form a new habit, so try setting an SPF alarm for the first month of usage, and it will soon become automatic, especially if you ensure you have a sensorial product that you love applying. There’s a lot of sunscreen options out there these days, physical, tinted, clear, matte, moisturizing and many more. If you need a bit of help navigating your options, call on our dermatology experts for bespoke advice. It’s also worth making sure your SPF is in a visible position –next to your toothpaste, or right beside your makeup, definitely not hidden away at the back of a cupboard.

3. Get your application down to a fine art

Thirdly, if you’re going to use it, use it well and ensure you’re applying enough. The current guidelines suggest half a teaspoon for face and neck. It does seem a lot but try layering rather than rubbing it all into the skin in one go. Vigorous rubbing can also contribute to a breakdown of some ingredients, so definitely one to avoid. The recommended application is to smooth your chosen sunscreen all over the face and neck, wait a couple of mins and apply a second layer the same way. For the best advice on application, contact our skin professionals for a one-to-one, not only will they cover what your skin needs, but they will also show you exactly how to apply all your skincare for the best results.

4. Top up for skin success

Finally, keep your SPF handy for top ups. Reapplying sunscreen every two hours is the ultimate self-care for skin and will ensure you’re well protected from those damaging UVA and UVB rays all day long. Keep a tube in your beach bag and (skin insider hack) set an alarm on your phone so you never miss a top up.