5 Facts You Need To Know About SPF
Written by Danielle Horgan
It’s easy to remember your SPF during the season of balmy weather. When that intense heat hits our skin, we slather on our sunscreen before hitting the sun lounger or heading to the beach for a sun-drenched afternoon during the holiday season. However, most dermatologists will tell you that protecting your skin from UV rays is a year-long commitment, and here's why.
The sun emits two types of invisible rays all year round, UVA rays, the kind that ages you, and UVB rays, the kind that burns you. When looking for an SPF, the best formulas to go for are broad-spectrum SPFs as these are the ones that protect us against both UVA/ UVB rays. Ideally, SPF should be at least factor 30 so it protects skin against UVB rays and should have a 4 star+ rating which indicates that it also protects against UVA rays.
So why is SPF so important and why should it be such a skincare staple all year round? Here are a few reasons why...
1. SPF lowers the risk of skin cancer
This is an obvious one but most important, sunscreen helps prevent skin cancers. The three most common types of skin cancer are basal cell skin cancer, squamous cell skin cancer, and melanoma (1) UV radiation is the top risk factor causing these skin cancers. Consistent, adequate protection from the sun’s UV rays helps lower your risk, therefore it’s crucial to apply sunscreen every day.
2. SPF needs to be worn...even in winter!
Use SPF every.single.day. UVA rays penetrate through clouds so even on those blustery wintery days, yep SPF is still in need. Work from home or drive around for a living? UVA/UVB can penetrate through windows too! We’re not safe from those pesky rays, so do yourself a favor and slap on the SPF indoors too!
3. SPF is the best form of anti-aging
SPF has been scientifically proven to reduce the early onset of fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots (2), UV rays damage collagen and elastin in your skin, resulting in acceleration of fine lines and wrinkles. Further studies have shown that SPF can not only protect your skin from premature aging but also reverse common signs of photoaging, like wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. (3)
4. SPF in foundations & moisturizers is not enough
Whilst it’s a no-brainer to use a foundation or moisturizer that contains SPF, don’t rely solely on it as chances are the SPF isn’t strong enough and is just laced throughout the product. The recommended amount of SPF to use is 1-1.5 teaspoons on your face and neck (4), so think of your foundation and moisturizers as a second line of defense. Remember, skincare products need to be applied in order of molecular weight for maximum efficacy, so lighter serums first that penetrate the skin faster and deeper, followed by moisturizers that work to moisturize the stratum corneum (surface layer) with the final reinforcement and protective barrier of SPF.
/e5a36d19f1a843cfb75979596d0dbaf6/sunscreen-day.png)
/e5a36d19f1a843cfb75979596d0dbaf6/sunscreen-day.png)
3. SPF is the best form of anti-aging
SPF has been scientifically proven to reduce the early onset of fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots (2), UV rays damage collagen and elastin in your skin, resulting in acceleration of fine lines and wrinkles. Further studies have shown that SPF can not only protect your skin from premature aging but also reverse common signs of photoaging, like wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. (3)
4. SPF in foundations & moisturizers is not enough
Whilst it’s a no-brainer to use a foundation or moisturizer that contains SPF, don’t rely solely on it as chances are the SPF isn’t strong enough and is just laced throughout the product. The recommended amount of SPF to use is 1-1.5 teaspoons on your face and neck (4), so think of your foundation and moisturizers as a second line of defense. Remember, skincare products need to be applied in order of molecular weight for maximum efficacy, so lighter serums first that penetrate the skin faster and deeper, followed by moisturizers that work to moisturize the stratum corneum (surface layer) with the final reinforcement and protective barrier of SPF.
5. SPF is a great protector for the skin when using acids
Regular use of alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs), and retinol (vitamin A) are vital to keeping skin looking plump and juicy and are often worked into skincare routines. AHAs, BHAs, and retinol exfoliate, removing all dead skin cells from the surface revealing a fresh layer of newly glowing skin; but the downside is the new skin is even more vulnerable to damage from the sun. This means if you’re not protecting your newly exposed skin, then you could cause further damage, so use SPF as a protective barrier for your newly preened complexion.
In Conclusion
We’ve all received endless education about the risks of UVA/UVB rays to our skin during hotter seasons, but not so much on the effects during the colder months. Many of us are blissfully unaware and walk around unprotected from such harmful rays. What’s more, as if exposure to UV rays from sunlight wasn’t bad enough, the skin has another destroyer to contend with, high-energy visible light (HEV). Also referred to as blue light, HEV light is primarily from the sun, but it’s also emitted by your smartphone, tablet, and computer screen. These DNA destroyers are never-ending due to our lifestyle factors and the fast development of technology, so we must make sure we’re protecting our skin in the right way all year round. So when you wake up on a rainy November morning and you’re working from your laptop indoors, do yourself a favor, and don’t forget your BeeFriendly SPF, your skin will thank you for it.
Danielle Horgan
Danielle has over 10 years of experience as a Health and Wellness PR working for a range of high profile skincare brands. A certified Yoga teacher and Reiki practitioner, Danielle is passionate about a 360 approach to skincare routed in exercise, plant-based nutrition, and high-quality natural products that yield great results.
References
https://www.webmd.com/melanoma-skin-cancer/qa/what-are-the-three-main-types-of-skin-cancer (1)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27749441/ (2)
https://www.jnj.com/health-and-wellness/is-higher-spf-sunscreen-better-results-of-spf-100-vs-spf-50-research (3)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4577364/ (4)
