Is THIS why you’re still not protecting your skin properly?

A question that we are frequently asked at The Skin Nerd is what’s the key to good skin? Our answer is always the same – using sunscreen! No matter the day or season – rain, hail or shine! Not only is sun damage responsible for 80-90% of ageing, but it is also the number one cause of skin cancer – the most common type of cancer in Ireland. Whilst we relay this information relentlessly; upkeep is still slow when it comes to daily application (and reapplication). 

In fact, recent research by The Irish Cancer Society has revealed that nearly one in seven people say they don’t apply sun cream when in Ireland. Men have been found to be even less likely to apply sun cream, with one in five reporting they never apply it in Ireland. The Irish Cancer Society has been quoted as saying that its research shows that one third of people underestimate the seriousness of the threat posed by the Irish sun and are ‘not at all worried’ about sunburn in Ireland. 

When the benefits are clear, it can be confusing to see so many people still skip this daily task. So, this week we’ve looking a little deeper at the greyer areas of sun protection to clear up some of the most common SPF misconceptions and stumbling blocks, so you too can apply your skin saviour with ease...

You think sunscreen is just for summer  

The most common misconception! Many mistakenly assume that SPF is only needed when its warm, however, we must protect our skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays for 365 days of the year. UV rays can penetrate through the clouds and 50% of UVA rays can even seep through glass, meaning you are still at risk of sun damage when it’s overcast, or you are working from home. Exposing your skin to UV rays without appropriate sun protection can accelerate premature skin ageing, which can lead to wrinkles, dullness, the breakdown of collagen and dark spots. Most importantly, UV rays can also cause skin cancer in some cases.   

You find the labels confusing

According to  research by Mintel, 61% of users report difficulty in recognising the difference between a chemical and mineral sun care product, indicating the need for more support when purchasing. So, what is the difference? Chemical sunscreens work like a sponge and prevent damage by absorbing any harmful UV rays. Common ingredients found in chemical sunscreens include avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate. As well as offering higher UVA protection, chemical SPFs are renowned for being lighter in texture, making them easier to rub into the skin. They also benefit from a clear application and are likely to suit a variety of skin tones. Downsides of this type of sunscreen include the increased potential to cause irritation and allergic reactions for those with sensitive skin. Mineral sunscreens include zinc oxide, titanium oxide and calamine. These filters work by absorbing and reflecting UV rays away from the skin, often have a thicker texture but on a positive note, they reduce the likelihood of allergic reactions, making them ideal for sensitive skin. Mineral formulas are deemed ‘reef friendly’ in comparison to chemical formulas, many physical sunscreen filters are ideal for both daily and prolonged sun exposure because of their broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays.   

You use low SPF ratings

A high factor should be a priority when it comes to choosing an SPF. The Irish Cancer Society recommends using a sunscreen with a minimum of SPF30, but for maximum protection, we advise SPF50, which provides the maximum amount of protection per application. Choosing a broad spectrum one is also important. This means the sunscreen protects you from the damaging effects of UVA and UVB rays, both of which threaten your skin health. Studies show that a SPF 30 sunscreen will protect your skin from 97% of the sun’s UVB rays, while an SPF 50 sunscreen will shield your skin from 98% of UVB rays. That might seem like a very small difference, but thorough application and reapplication is key and that added 1% of protection a SPF 50 product provides over a prolonged period can make a significant impact on your skin health.   

You don’t apply enough or fail to reapply  

To be properly protected, you need to apply an adequate amount of SPF to protect your skin. The amount of SPF that you apply should remain the same throughout the year too. While the UV index drops lower in Winter, we always recommend that you apply your SPF in the morning and top it up every 2 hours throughout the day. The Irish Cancer Society recommends that the average adult should apply 35ml of sunscreen to their entire body. You should apply ½ teaspoon of SPF to your face, neck, and ears, 1 teaspoon to each arm, 1 teaspoon for each leg, 1 teaspoon for your chest and stomach, and 1 teaspoon for the back of your body. Remember that reapplication is key to optimal protection. 

The only SPF you use is within your makeup   

Many products have sunscreen ingredients within them, but it doesn’t make them actual sunscreens. For example, foundation containing SPF can be beneficial as an added extra but should be not used instead of a sunscreen. The reason? It would take HEAPS of foundation to make up the daily recommended amount of SPF (a shot glass full in fact) which is way more than we imagine most would want to wear...   

You use out of date formulas  

It's easy to reach for the bottle at the back of the cupboard but to maintain the effectiveness of your sunscreen, you need to keep an eye on its use-by date. The shelf life for sunscreens is typically 30 months, but this depends on the quality of the formula. You also need to store your sunscreen below 30°C and keep it out of direct sunlight. You should also refer to the ‘period after opening’ (PAO) symbol on the labelling. The PAO symbol is a small picture of an opened jar with a number printed within it – this number shows the number of months the product can be used for after it has been opened.**** 

Sources    

*skincancer.org     

** Amaro-Ortiz, A., Yan, B., & D'Orazio, J. A. (2014). Ultraviolet radiation, aging and the skin: prevention of damage by topical cAMP manipulation. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 19(5), 6202–6219.    

*** Darvin ME, Richter H, Ahlberg S, Haag SF, Meinke MC, Le Quintrec D, Doucet O, Lademann J. Influence of sun exposure on the cutaneous collagen/elastin fibers and carotenoids: negative effects can be reduced by application of sunscreen. J Biophotonics.    

**** Skinhealthinfo.org   

*****Unilever, 2020