Mornings are stressful enough, good intentions to wake up early and start the day calm and collected. Replaced by frantic hair brushing, coffee gulping and a room full of clothes left on your departure. When the summer season arrives in the UK another hurdle arrives into our morning routines, “what do I wear today?!”. British weather is famous for its constant change, one day boiling, the next freezing. Finding the right attire in our morning routine seems the impossible. Although there is one thing we can recommend you wear and we know it works… SPF sunscreen.
When Should you Wear Sunscreen?
All the time. A common misconception is that sunscreen should only be worn if you are purposely exposing your body to the sun. For example, many only wear sunscreen while they are on beach holidays. If the same weather was to hit the UK they wouldn’t really think of wearing sunscreen because they are not laying out in it and “it’s the UK”.
The sun can damage your skin anytime, anywhere. Even hidden behind the clouds, its harmful rays can still delve into our precious skin. So the advice is to always apply a minimum of SPF 30 every day when the sun has made its first appearance of the year to it’s last, no matter what continent you are on.
Top dermatologists recommend introducing sunscreen into your morning routine and even keeping the bottle near your toothpaste to give you that gentle reminder. The sun can penetrate through clothing, so although you are “covered up” there is no harm generously applying to all areas of the body.
What Happens if I don’t Wear Sunscreen?
The top concern for those exposing themselves to sun rays without protection, is skin cancer. This is developed from a build up of skin damage from the sun. Studies have recently shown that skin cancer kills more than 2000 Brits a year. Alongside this the Soleve Sunburn Relief carried out research which found that 3 in 5 of us had sunburn within the past 5 years.
Not only are you raising the risk of skin cancer when you don’t splash on the sunscreen. You are also helping your skin age faster. Numerous studies have confirmed that UV rays account for 80% of skin ageing. The results from heavy exposure are; pigmentation, reduced skin elasticity and degradation of skin texture (photoageing).
What are UV Rays?
The rays that come down from the sun are classified into three: UVC, UVA & UVB, collectively known as UV rays.
UVC – the most damaging type of UV radiation. However, it’s completely filtered by the atmosphere and doesn’t reach the earth’s surface, so we don’t have to worry about that one!
UVB – the ray that makes our skin change colour. This one will burn all superficial layers of your skin and play a big role in the risk of developing skin cancer.
UVA – this ray will go all the way to the dermis, the thickest layer of our skin. This breaks through the skin’s surface and damages from within.
Therefore it’s important we wear a suncream that protects UVA and UVB rays.
Our go-to SPF Sunscreen Products…
Heliocare Advanced Gel – SPF 50
This on the top of our favourites list. The oil-free, light beige cream-like gel is easy to apply with it’s light to the touch formula. Due to its ultra-lightweight gel formula it is ideal for oily and acne prone skin types and can be used all over the body.
It provides advanced anti-ageing UV protection combining high technology mineral & nonmineral filters with photobiological protectants, featuring Fernblock, a natural fern extract unique to Heliocare products.
Fernblock has been proven to be a powerful antioxidant and skin protector, it enhances your skin’s ability to fight against UV damage that leads to skin ageing. It is proven to reduce UV skin reactions and also improves skin cell DNA protection and repair as it inhibits the DNA damage linked to development of skin cancers.
NeoStrata: Refine – Sheer Hydration SPF 35
We love NeoStrata products, not only do they provide for all skin types but each product shows fantastic results.
This product contains broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect against UVA and UVB fighting photo-aging. It also contains NeoGlucosamine. This is clinically proven to help reduce the appearance of dark spots from ageing and acne for more even tone, and to improve your skin’s texture and firmness. It is a light, oil-free fluid, formulated with Phytotal, a botanical blend that helps control oily skin without irritation.
Why do we love it?
- A hydrating sun shield that improves the health of normal to oily complexions
- Reduces the appearance of dark spots
- Improves skin texture, firmness and tone
- Broad spectrum UVA / UVB sunscreen
- Suitable for Oily, Combination and Normal skin types
