Too much ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or sunbeds can damage DNA in your skin cells and cause skin cancer.
In the UK almost 9 in 10 cases of melanoma skin cancer could be prevented by staying safe in the sun and avoiding sunbeds.
The best way to enjoy the sun safely and protect your skin is to use shade, clothing and sunscreen.
Cancer Research UK
Most commonly known as ‘Sunscreen’ ‘Sun Protection’ or ‘SPF’, however I feel a better name for it is ‘UV protection’ or ‘daylight protection’. When we say ‘Sun Protection’ it makes you think you only need to use it when the sun’s out… WRONG!
You should use UV protection on exposed areas of skin 365 days a year, 366 if it’s a leap year! Even the UV radiation that gets through our windows in our homes is enough for us to need additional protection from it. The rule is, if you could read a book in the natural light of a room then you need UV protection.
I recommend an SPF30-50 for the face. Obviously if you’re not going to be outdoors all day, maybe just a quick trip to the shops, an SPF30 should suffice. But if you’re on holiday, or spending a lot of time outdoors, then you definitely need to up your game to an SPF50, AND you need to reapply through the day, even in winter! (Have you ever seen Ski SPF? That’s often an SPF50, so just because it’s cold doesn’t mean the UV isn’t high.)
You can’t tell whether you are at risk of burning by the temperature outside. This is because you can’t feel UV rays.
People can still burn on cool or cloudy days.
Cancer Research UK
There are so many UV protection products out there to choose from, so how do you know which will suit your skin best? The simple answer is, all you can do is take an educated guess and give it a try. Some will be more suited to dry skins, some will be more suited to acne skin, some might have additional anti ageing benefits beyond what protection from UV already offers, so it’s worth having a look around, and seeing what’s available and if they have samples for you to try.
Always make sure that the product you’re using is ‘broad spectrum’. This means that it’s protecting you from both UVA and UVB on the biggest scale of the UV light spectrum.
Eve Taylor have a range of sun protection products, and there’s something suitable for all skin types, there’s even a hand cream and a lip balm!
Age Resist Moisturising Day Cream with SPF30 is a medium weight cream, with ceramides to help retain moisture within the epidermis to restore the barrier function and strengthen the skin. Whilst Avocado oil, rich in anti-oxidant vitamins A D and E, nourishes and protects from free radicals. Most suited to skin in late (ish) 30’s onwards. Vegan friendly.
C+ Bright Priming Moisturiser with SPF30 is another medium weight moisturiser, but slightly lighter than the Moisturising Day Cream, with reflective and protective qualities that brighten and illuminate dull skin. Lovely under makeup and gives your skin a fabulous luminosity. Most suited to skin in 20’s to 40’s. Vegan friendly.
Daily Skin Defence SPF50 is an easily absorbed daily defence moisturiser providing high protection from UVA and UVB rays, guarding against sun damage and premature skin ageing. Excellent to use after a facial and ESSENTIAL if you’re having laser hair removal on your face! Vegan friendly.
Moisturising Solar Shield SPF25 offers a nourishing base of Sunflower and Cocoa Butter with broad spectrum sunscreen provides protection from UVA and UVB rays to guard against premature ageing. Vegan friendly.
Seal and protect lip balm SPF 10 – I absolutely LOVE this product. I have one open in almost every room in my house lol. A blend of shea butter, beeswax and jojoba oils provide deep nourishment and hydration. Essential oils of Peppermint, Spearmint and Orange offer a cooling and refreshing feel with a vibrant aroma. All Eve Taylor Beeswax is ethically sourced, but if you’re vegan you might prefer not to use this one.
But my foundation has SPF in it… Spf in makeup should only ever be your second line of defence, NEVER your first. For a start off, it’s usually only about an SPF15, which is far too low for the face. Some might be SPF30, which is better, however the amount of product that you would need to use to get the full advertised protection would be hilarious, ridiculous, and obscene (see the video below!) 😂
You need two finger lengths (1/4 teaspoon) of UV protection alone, so when you’re relying solely on SPF in your foundation you’d need A LOT for correct coverage. Check out the video below and you’ll see what I mean! And PLEASE DON’T be tempted to DIY mix an SPF with your makeup yourself. You are just diluting both of them and won’t get the correct coverage of either!
Michelle Wong, AKA Lab Muffin is a cosmetic chemist and has some fantastic informative posts on her instagram.
You can see from these tables the difference between a sunscreen product (left list) and a foundation with SPF (right list). The foundation has just two sunscreen ingredients which are 5th and 9th on the list, whereas the SPF50 product has five sunscreen ingredients, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 7th and 11th on its list. The ingredients are listed in order of largest to smallest quantity, so you want the important ingredients high up!
There are other ways to stay safe in the sun, wear a hat and try to stay in the shade when you can and don’t lie out in the sun at the hottest times between 12-4. UV exposure is not only one of the largest factors for melanoma, but it is incredibly ageing for your skin too.
So enjoy the summer, but please be safe in the sun ☀️😎
For more information check out Cancer Research UK and Melanoma UK
Kate Dearn Beauty 