Do you wear broad-protection sunscreen year-round? You should be, and here’s why.
We hate to sound all preachy, but when it comes to minimising the risk of skin cancer and premature skin ageing, we can’t shout it loudly enough: daily sunscreen is a non-negotiable. No matter the season or the weather, ultraviolet, which is an invisible radiation, is present all year round.
Sunscreen is hands-down the most important skincare product you could ever own. To maintain the health and beauty of your skin, apply sunscreen every single day. Wearing sunscreen daily will defend your skin from damaging UVB and UVA rays and will help prevent sun spots and wrinkles.
It’s important to keep skin protected all year round. Even throughout the winter months, a broad-spectrum SPF helps to protect against incidental sun exposure from day-to-day activities.
When choosing your sunscreen, choose a physical sunscreen over a chemical based one. Physical sunscreens contain active mineral ingredients, such as micronised zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which work by sitting on top of the skin to block damaging UV rays. They are naturally broad spectrum, meaning they protect against both UVA and UVB rays and, unlike some chemical sunscreens, aren’t likely to irritate sensitive or acne-prone skin.
How to properly apply sunscreen
- Always choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen to block both UVA and UVB rays and aim for a minimum sun protection factor (SPF) of 30.
- Apply 20 minutes before going outdoors.
- Reapply every two hours, regardless of SPF rating.
- Apply at least one teaspoon per limb, one for the front of the body, one for the back and one for the head. A full body application for an adult should be at least 35mL or seven teaspoons.