15/04/2024
- It Protects Against Harmful UVA & UVB Rays
When looking for an SPF, the best formulas to go for are broad-spectrum SPFs — these are the ones that protect against both the UVA and UVB rays that come from the sun. UVB rays are the ones that cause sunburn and skin cancer, whereas UVA rays cause premature aging. As well as decreasing the risk of sunburn and premature aging, wearing an SPF decreases your risk of developing skin cancer. Although it may sound scary, it’s the reality, and wearing an SPF massively reduces your melanoma risk and any damage to your body that may come with it.
- It Reduces Signs Of Aging
As already mentioned, UVA rays from the sun can damage the skin and make it more prone to the signs of aging. All that hard work you’re doing with retinol and the rest of your skincare routine? You’re basically undoing it all if you don’t wear an SPF during the day. SPF has been scientifically proven to reduce the early onset of fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots, so why wouldn’t you want to add it to your routine?
- It’s More Protecting Than Moisturisers/Foundations With SPF
Foundations and moisturisers with an SPF content in them have been around for quite a while — you’ll notice on the label of some of your favourite foundations may have ‘contains SPF’ written on them. The only problem with this is the SPF content is watered down by the rest of the product, meaning it’s a lot less effective and provides nowhere near as much protection as you need. Plus, the maximum protection they offer is usually about SPF 15, when ideally you should be using SPF 30 or higher to really protect your skin.
- It Usually Contains Antioxidants
A lot of the best SPFs can be used in place of a moisturiser in your morning routine if you have oilier skin (if your skin is more dry, you may want to double-up with a moisturiser) as they are already suspended in a moisturising base. SPFs are packed with an array of antioxidants and hydrating ingredients to soften and care for the skin as it protects. So whilst your SPF is working hard to protect against UVA and UVB rays, the antioxidants inside are also helping to defend against the free radicals and environmental aggressors that we are all exposed to on a daily basis.
- It Protects Your Skin When You’re Using Acids
If you’re a regular user of AHAs, BHAs, and retinols, then (and I can’t stress this enough) you need an SPF in your routine. AHAs and BHAs exfoliate the skin, removing all dead skin cells from the surface and revealing a fresh layer of skin, meaning that it’s even more prone to damage from the sun. In the same way, retinol also makes the skin more sensitive to sunlight. This means that although you are looking after your skin with regular exfoliation and the benefits of retinol, it’s all wasted if you don’t then wear an SPF during the day.
- It Shields Against Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation can be caused by acne, melanin build-up, and sun damage, which often show as purple, red, or darker marks on the skin. Sun damage can cause pigmentation and make it much worse, so if you’re looking to fade or treat your hyperpigmentation, then SPF is even more of a must. Your skin reacts to damage from the sun by producing more melanin, which in turn causes pigmentation, meaning skipping the SPF is counterproductive. By wearing SPF, it does the protecting for you, so you’re skin won’t have to kick into overdrive and produce the melanin that causes pigmentation.
- It Strengthens Your Skin Barrier
It’s as simple as this — sun damage causes stress for the skin, and stressed-out skin isn’t healthy. While skin barrier function is made up of multiple different factors, such as hydration, using the right ingredients, and not using too many aggressive formulas, protecting against UV rays has a big part to play. On top of that, weakened skin barriers are much more likely to feel the effects of sun damage, which can lead to pigmentation and further exacerbate the problem. To nip it all in the bud, make sure you’re applying a broad-spectrum SPF every day to avoid any further damage or skin stress.