The Importance of SPF
We can all be guilty of forgetting to put SPF on and including it into our skincare routine, no judgment here - sometimes life gets hectic! We can't speak for everyone, but we are sure you agree that a nice healthy glow definitely isn't a bad thing...and there is also the benefit of getting a substantial dose of vitamin D!
However, many people forget that SPF application should be a daily commitment to the skin - YES, even when it's cloudy or raining!
SPF Protects You From The Harm UV Rays Can Cause
The sunscreen acts as a layer of protection for your skin when being exposed to UV rays. This can lower the risk of skin cancer, as many cases have been linked to prolonged exposure to strong UV rays.
It is important to also note that whenever in high temperatures, sunglasses aren't JUST a fashion accessory. UV rays can cause damage to your eyes (like increasing your risk of developing cataracts for example) so it is vital to invest in a good pair of polarised sunglasses that can protect your eyes from the UV rays too.
SPF Protects Your Skin From UV Rays
UV rays can cause premature ageing to the skin layers, which is often characterised long-term by a thick, leathery texture and discolouration. UV rays can also cause a breakdown of collagen, which contributes to lines, sagging, and wrinkles. Wearing SPF daily can help prevent this, keeping your skin looking youthful and smooth.
Did we mention that SPF also maintains an even skin tone and can even help improve acne!
Retinol and SPF Go Hand-In-Hand
Think of it this way - when using retinol it normally takes up to 12 weeks to visibly see a drastic change within your skin. So...why would you waste all that hard work and dedication by allowing the sun to damage your skin the minute you step outside? If you don't wear SPF when using retinol, you will simply not see any improvements and your skin may even appear worse than it was originally.
“The way retinol works is by accelerating the formation of new skin cells to replace the old, damaged skin. This new skin can be more sensitive and is more prone to sunburn, so it’s extremely important to add facial sunscreen to your morning routine if it’s not already part of it,” says Astarita.
The best time to apply retinol is at night so that your skin can repair while you sleep. Applying sunscreen in the morning protects all the hard work your skin has done overnight, as well as preventing premature ageing in your later years. We advise using at least an SPF 50, and no...an SPF 30 sunscreen under a foundation that has SPF 20 in it, does not make SPF 50!
We hope you have enjoyed this blog and learnt more about the importance of SPF - take care of yourself and apply some SPF now if you haven't already!