Hey friend! Welcome back to “Ask an Esti” - a forum where we discuss all things skincare! As we finish our summer vacations and prepare to usher in the fall season, I want to take some time to dive a little deeper into the importance of sunscreen, or SPF. You may have noticed that I always close articles encouraging you to apply your SPF consistently throughout the day regardless of weather, but have you wondered why I emphasize SPF application so much?
It’s common knowledge that SPF is used to protect the skin from sunburn, so of course we should use it when we’re at the beach or exposed to direct sunlight. However, those are not the only times to apply SPF. What we’re protecting our skin from is damage caused by UVA and UVB rays omitted by the sun, like sunburn, fine lines, wrinkles, increased dark spots, redness, etc. UVA rays can also penetrate through clouds and windows, so it’s just as important to apply SPF on the cloudy days as it is on the sunny days. It’s important to reapply if you’re in front of windows, driving, or participating in outdoor activity, even walking. I recommend reading your SPF bottle to follow the reapplication directions provided by the company, but as a rule of thumb, reapplying every 2 hours is encouraged if you’re exposed to UV rays. I like to say that the only time you don’t need to reapply is if you’re in a room without windows, or the sun has already set.
Now you may be wondering how to choose the right SPF for you, and there are a few factors to consider. Let’s start with the sun protection level. SPF can typically range anywhere from SPF15 to SPF100. I recommend using at least a broad spectrum SPF30 to get adequate protection, and you can go higher if you know that you’re a person who burns more easily or quickly. The higher the SPF means that it extends the amount of time before burning. For example, if you typically burn in 10 minutes without wearing SPF, wearing SPF30 means it should take 30 times as long before you burn, SPF50 means 50 times as long, and so on. Regardless of how high the SPF, I still recommend reapplying every 2 hours because the film of protection that the SPF creates gets disrupted by talking, laughing, sweating, touching the face, etc. It is also important to consider your skin type and concerns. For oily/acne prone skin, I recommend using SPF that is lightweight and/or oil-free. For dry skin, I recommend using a rich texture SPF that will add moisture to the skin. If you wear makeup, I recommend checking out some brands that make powder SPF so that you can still reapply throughout the day.
In my professional opinion, the best SPF for you is the one you know you will reapply. The most important thing is getting full coverage and protection. When you apply, make sure you’re applying to the full face, neck, and ears. Apply to your body too if you know it will be exposed. Overall, SPF is the key ingredient to achieving your skin goals. You can use as many products as you want, but if you aren’t protecting your skin, the products will not work effectively. If you have some favorite SPF’s that I must try, I’d love to hear about them. Send me an email at [email protected].
I hope you’ve been enjoying “Ask an Esti”, and you’re continuously leaving understanding the “why” behind the “what”. Join me next time to discuss something super exciting that we have coming! Until next time, remember, Healthy skin starts with Superfoods!
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