SPF is a hot topic when the summer temps heat up. But skin care should be just as important all year round. When most of us think of spf, we think about putting on a little sunscreen and never thinking more about it. With all of us social distancing, and cooped up indoors , many of us want to get out of the house and enjoy the hot summer days.
While outdoors, you’ll want to be protected from the sun’s harsh rays. You may not even realize this, but a huge part of our skincare regimen is applying sunscreen. This part of the process, often gets overlooked. So let’s talk a little bit about spf and what it all means. SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. There are two different types of rays that a broad spectrum sunscreen can help with…
UVA Rays penetrate deep within the skin’s surface which causes wrinkles and skin aging.
UVB RAYS are much shorter and effect the surface of the skin, which causes sunburns and skin cancer.
So What Is SPF Anyway?
Again, SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and is a measure of how long the sun’s UV radiation takes to redden the skin’s surface. So, for instance an SPF of 15 would take about 15 times longer to burn, as opposed to using no sunscreen at all. According to Skincancer.org there are a few things you shouldn’t compromise when choosing a broad spectrum sunscreen. Always make sure the sunscreen is waterproof and an spf of 30+ or higher depending on how much time you are out in the sun.
What Sunscreen Should I Be Using?
There are so many different sunscreen options out there. But when choosing one that is right for you, you should look for one that is a broad spectrum. This helps to reduce exposure to both UVA and UVB rays Here is a breakdown of the protection.
- SPF 15 blocks 93 % of UVB rays
- SPF 30 blocks 97% UVB rays
- SPF 50 blocks 99% UVB rays
There is no such thing as any sunscreen having 100% protection capability but used as directed you can get pretty close. Anything higher than an SPF 50 doesn’t protect any better than spf 30 or spf 50, as you can see. They are both pretty close.
Some Foundations Have SPF Included
Did you know there is a big possibility that your foundation already has some spf protection in it? There are many popular brands. One of my favorite foundations is It Cosmetics CC+ Cream with SPF 50+ this has a UVA/UVB Broad Spectrum sunscreen in it. Also, brands such as Neutrogena, Tarte, Clinique and Bare Minerals all make foundations with sunscreen coverage, some have different protection numbers. Make sure to check this and use a facial sunscreen as your base. Lastly, be sure your coverage is ample and add more coverage depending on your sun exposure that day.
When you are using sunscreen this summer, make sure you are following the exact directions as listed and reapplying when the directions say. Also, for added protection, wear a sunhat or baseball cap to protect your face and ears. It is also important to wear clothing to help protect your skin and if at all possible choose to stay in the shade. Avoid direct sunlight during peak summer hours which usually fall between the hours of 10am- 4pm. This also rings true even on cloudy days , as you can still sunburn.
Finally, as you have seen from this article, it is important to keep up on your skincare regimen. This includes adding a broad spectrum SPF of at least 30 to your everyday skin care routine. This is in order to help keep your skin healthy and looking good. Using a good broad spectrum sunscreen all year long can help lessen the chances of skin cancer, sun damage, as well as premature aging and wrinkles. This is such a good habit to get into and such a vital part of your daily skin care routine.
