Skincare Tips: How To Prevent Sun Damage?
The most important part of a skincare routine lies in how effective its sun care products are. It isn’t the cleanser, moisturiser or any serums that may come with a good beauty regime, as all of that will be misspent if a) there isn’t any sunscreen to lock it all in and shield the skin from harmful UV rays, and b) any of those products do not contain SPF, which measures sunscreen protection.
Why sun protection is so important
1. It’s not just about preventing painful sunburns. Sunscreen protects our skin from harmful UV rays which can create some serious damage.
2. As we get older, our skin becomes more fragile and thin, and overexposure to the sun will impede the skin’s ability to repair itself. Sun damage causes photoaging, which causes the skin to look leathery, discoloured, saggy and wrinkly.
3. Women in their 20s are much more susceptible to long-term damage by the sun, and this might also increase the risk of skin cancer such as melanoma.
Sun Protection Tips
In this day and age, it is so easy to develop sun-damaged skin especially if you’re not getting sufficient or any protection at all. Instead of trying to rewind any damage that the sun has caused, let’s look at the ways we can prevent it. After all, prevention is better than cure.
1. Wear sunscreen all the time, even if it’s on a cloudy day.
It is a common misconception that one needs to forgo the sunscreen on a cloudy day because of the absence of the sun, but the truth is that the sun still emits harmful rays even when it is not visible.
2. Be sure to wear an SPF of at least 15, although experts recommend nothing below 30.
Anything lower than an SPF 15 should be topped up with another SPF, but it is generally advised to stick to a healthy amount of SPF30, as this will block 97% of all harmful rays.
3. If you’re wearing makeup, be sure to wear a make-up base or foundation that has SPF built into it.
A sunscreen for the face like the UV Plus (which comes in shades to correct the skin) or a foundation with SPF like the Bright Plus Brightening Cushion Foundation SPF 50 / PA +++ and the Everlasting Foundation SPF 15. If not, invest in moisturisers and lotions that have SPF built in.
4. Be sure to cater to your skin and body depending on your lifestyle and activity.
There are many different types of sunscreen with different SPF, so it can easily get very overwhelming. Just remember that for daily commutes as well as quick and short exposure to the sun requires at least SPF15, while heavy outdoor activities require an SPF of 30 to 70.
5. Choose effectiveness over convenience.
Between a sunscreen or sunblock spray, a sunscreen lotion or cream is always the better option. It is undeniable that sprays are much easier and faster to apply, but it does require touching up more often.
6. Generally, try to invest in a broad-spectrum sun protection product.
Considering that the recommended SPF is between 30 to 70, aim for the middle, such as purchasing a sunscreen of SPF 50.
7. Know when to apply your sunscreen.
The golden rule for the face is to apply it after cleansing and moisturising your face and before makeup.Both the face and body need to be covered in sunblock 15 to 30 minutes before sun exposure and if possible, use a serum or moisturiser that has been formulated with SPF for extra protection. While prevention is essential, it’s impossible to entirely eliminate the possibility of dark spots. However, you can still reduce the effects of it on your skin with an after-sun routine which includes a moisturiser like the Bright Plus Dark Spot-Targeting Moisturizing Emulsion that targets dark spots to help reduce their appearance, even out your complexion and boost overall radiance.
8. Consider sunscreen for when water is involved too.
If you’re about to get into water or are participating in water sports, purchase a waterproof sunscreen. Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours.
9. Make sure the clothes you wear are sun-resistant.
Choose light-coloured clothing as opposed to dark ones, denser weaves as opposed to loose ones and opt for polyester and nylon over natural fibres. All these attributes can help to minimise the effects of the sun.
10. Your eyes can also burn from the sun, so be sure to protect them.
Sunglasses and shades aren’t all about accessorising. They actually function as a barrier between the sun and your eyes, so be sure to whip out those stylish or practical shades whenever you’re out and about during the day.
11. Take care of your lips.
Avoid chapped, burnt, and dehydrated lips by swiping a lip balm with SPF on your lips at all times. The lips can easily catch damage from the sun as well, so make sure they are well-protected, hydrated and moisturised.
How to prepare the body for sun exposure
Apply your favourite sunscreen lotion or sunscreen spray liberally all over exposed skin for 15 to 30 minutes before exposure to the sun. A sunscreen spray would be beneficial to help supplement other sun protection products, as the spray nozzle will allow for an easier application on hard-to-reach areas like the back of the body.
Get more tips on sun protection here.
