With Summer 22 only being a distant memory, we know some of you have more than likely put your sunscreen at the back of the cupboard, out of sight, ready for Summer 23. But, believe it or not, we need to wear SPF even on cold winter days! Although the overall amount of UV rays decreases slightly in the winter, it’s important to remember that SPF is for every day of the year, no matter what season it is!
SPF (or Sun Protection Factor) is a measure of how much protection sunscreen products offer against UV rays It is arguably the most important product in your skincare routine. We all know that when we go out for the day or spend time at the beach, we cake on the sun cream (probably a little too heavy) but in actual fact, we should wear SPF every day, not just when it’s sunny.
SPF 15 blocks 93% of UVB rays, SPF 30 blocks 97%, and SPF 50 blocks 98%We then need to know what the difference is between UVA & UVB rays because it’s always best to choose an SPF that will protect against both the UVA and UVB rays – this is known as ‘broad spectrum’ and it should be clearly marked on all SPF products.
UVA – associated with skin ageing (longer wavelength)UVB – associated with skin burning (shorter wavelength)
Why Do You Need To Wear SPF?• Protect against sunburn • UV rays penetrate through winter clouds • Reduce the risk of getting skin cancer • Prevent skin discoloration • Reduces the signs of ageing • More protecting than moisturisers with SPF in them
In the summer months we tend to reapply our sunscreen throughout the day, but would you ever think about doing this in winter? What most people don’t realise is that the harsh winter weather can cause your sunscreen to erode and reduce its effectiveness; it is essential to reapply sunscreen during the day!
So Glossies, for a good level of defence, you need a minimum of SP30 as this will block out 97% of UV rays, but you also need to ensure the formula you choose is ‘broad spectrum’ so you have protection from both UVA & UVB. So, if you need to grab the SPF from the back of the cupboard, now is the time to do so - sunscreen should be a staple part of your routine no matter the weather or time of year.
Okay so now we’ve established what SPF is and the difference between the rays and the reasons why SPF is important; it’s time to explore some SPF products!
