Do you only wear sunscreen when you are going to be outside under direct sunlight?
Do you only wear sunscreen on the weekends?

For many Australians, applying sun protection is not a daily ritual and often I hear of SPF being worn mainly on the weekends when outdoors or only when 'going in the sun'. However, we are exposed to the harmful UVB and UVA rays from such a young age and it's not until adult life that the effects of this damage may appear on the skin. The damage can surface as wrinkles, pigmentation and in some cases, skin cancer.

Here we unfold the main 5 myths around susncreen to help you fight the damaging effects of UV.

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. We need SPF protection on a daily basis to protect from the harmful UV rays - UVA and UVB Rays.

UVA Rays

Are associated with 'skin ageing' and have the same intensity all year round. Being the longest rays in the spectrum, they penetrate to the deeper layers of the skin, causing damage to our collagen and elastin. UVA is the culprit for much of our visible skin ageing in the form of wrinkles, sagging skin, uneven skin tone and sunspots. Other signs of damage are the appearance of small blood vessels and spider veins on the face, neck and chest.

UVB Rays

Are associated with skin 'burning'. They are stronger in the middle of the day and their intensity depends on where you live. The results? Burnt skin that looks red, feels painful and may even blister.

Avoid getting a false sense of security when sitting indoors or when the weather is dull, as UVA rays can penetrate unfiltered glass including some car windows. And don’t count on the clouds to protect you, as UVA is still active on cloudy days!

They say, “prevention is better than cure”, and this phrase couldn’t be more fitting when talking about sun protection.

Vitamin D is vital to regulate the absorption of calcium and facilitate a healthy immune system function. Absorbing a sufficient amount of Vitamin D is important for the growth and development of bones and teeth, so as to improve resistance against certain diseases.

But does SPF interferes with our Vitamin D absorption?

Research and studies from the Skin Cancer Foundation have never found that daily sunscreen use leads to Vitamin D insufficiency. In fact, prevailing studies show that people who use sunscreen daily can maintain their Vitamin D levels.

High-SPF sunscreens are designed to filter out most of the sun’s UVB radiation (since that is the major cause of sunburns and can lead to skin cancer).

However, no matter how much sunscreen you apply or how high is the SPF, some of the sun’s UV rays still manage to reach your skin. For example, an SPF of 30 will filter out 97% of UV rays, while an SPF 50 will filter out 98%. This is based on using them within the cancer council guidelines.

Some fake tanning products may include a high SPF sunscreen, but these provide protection for a maximum of two hours after application. Protection does not last for the length of the tan, so sun protection is still required.

This is a common question - "If I wear a higher SPF, is this better for me?". The level of SPF shouldnt be used to extend the amount of time you spend in the sun.

Though it may sound like there is a big difference, SPF50 only offers marginally better protection from UVB radiation, which causes sunburn and adds to skin cancer risk. SPF30 sunscreens filter about 96.7% of UV radiation, SPF50+ sunscreens filter 98% of UV.

Cancer Council recommends applying a sunscreen that is SPF30 or higher before heading outside, every two hours, after swimming, sweating, or towel drying.

• Ultra-lightweight moisturiser provides a long-lasting matte finish.
• Proven to help shield skin from UV rays, pollution, make-up and dehydration
  without clogging pores.
• Combats the dehydrating effects of environmental stress.
• Certified cruelty-free, gluten-free and vegan.
  
  

If you need any further advice about which sunscreen is best for your skin, please reach out to us for advice!