Thursday 2 July 2020

THE BEST FACE SUNSCREEN FOR EVERYDAY USE AND WHY YOU SHOULD USE IT.

The summer is fully upon us now. What better time than now to get into sunscreen and start preventing ultraviolet (UV) damage?! No matter what skin colour you are, sunscreen is incredibly important.

What are the benefits of sunscreen?

The overriding benefit is that it helps to reduce your risk of skin cancers (mainly malignant melanomas, squamous cell carcinomas, and basal cell carcinomas). Too much UV light can cause damage to the genetic material within your skin cells and this gradual accumulation of damage can lead to your skin cells dividing uncontrollably and abnormally, thus resulting in skin cancer. 

Followed closely by its benefit in slowing down the ageing process and preventing wrinkles. Persistent exposure to UV light is what contributes to wrinkles through damaging the elastin and collagen fibres within the skin. Elastin and collagen fibres are connective tissue found in the deeper layer of the skin. They are vital in maintaining its elasticity and firmness. Gradually from the age of around 25, your body produces less collagen and elastin is not produced after puberty, with the addition of UV rays causing further breakdown and destruction of collagen and elastin, this results in skin sagging and wrinkling. 

There is a well-known case (published in the New England Journal of Medicine) of a patient who had been a truck driver for 28 years presenting with severe wrinkles on the left side of his face. Because of the constant UV exposure that he would experience through the window on only the left side of his face, this side was considerably more wrinkled with thickened skin compared to the right side of his face that was in the shade. 

Another advantage, one that I find most beneficial at the moment, is that it prevents hyperpigmentation, including sunspots and melasma. Melasma occurs due to overstimulation of melanocytes (cells in your skin that produce pigment) thus producing too much melanin (the pigment), resulting in areas of hyperpigmentation. UV light is just one of the factors that cause this overstimulation. Sunspots, also known as solar lentigines or age spots, occur for a similar reason but tend to be smaller areas than melasma - a bit like large freckles. If you are suffering from acne or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, it is especially important to reduce sun exposure as it can worsen the appearance of these areas and lengthen the time taken to revert to its original skin colour.

So you're pretty convinced now of its importance. 
How can you get SPF into your daily routine?

Sunscreen lotion
By far the most effective way of protecting your skin UV exposure
- Tends to have high levels of SPF
- Very easy to apply but depending on the brand, it can sometimes leave a white cast on your face (I currently use the Sunprise sunscreen and find that this is not a problem at all)
- Needs to be as the last step in your skincare routine and wait for 10-15 minutes before applying makeup
-  OR on top of makeup, which is not ideal after spending 20 minutes doing the perfect face
- LOWDOWN: In my opinion, it is the best way to apply sunscreen for maximum evenness and protection

Moisturisers with SPF
- Tend to have a nicer lighter consistency for your face as well as containing other beneficial ingredients for hydration
- Usually have a lower level of SPF, making it better for colder climates or wearing indoors
- LOWDOWN: Great to use in the winter months when higher levels of SPF aren't necessary

Nivea Day Cream for Sensitive with SPF15 | Nivea Day Cream for Normal with SPF 15 | Nivea Q10 Anti-Wrinkle with SPF 15 | Avene Hydrating Cream SPF 30 

Foundation with SPF
Tend to have a lower level of SPF due to the difficulties of getting the sunscreen to remain stable in the foundation and mix well
- For this to be fully effective, you would have to apply a thick layer of foundation, which in reality not many of us would do, especially in the summer!
- A good option for winter when there are lower levels of sunlight or if you are spending the large majority of your day indoors away from windows
- LOWDOWN: Any SPF is better than none, and if this is the only way you can get SPF into your routine then I approve
MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF15 | Revlon Colorstay SPF15 | Rimmel Lasting Finish SPF20

Sunscreen spray
This is something new I've recently added to my collection and have seen the benefit (I use the Garnier Sensitive Advanced Spray with SPF50)
- Tends to be a little greasy compared to normal sunscreen lotion
- Difficult to evenly distribute on your face
- Make sure you either apply the spray to your fingers first before putting on your face or if sprayed directly onto your face then to use your fingers to spread it gently and evenly around
- LOWDOWN: Very useful when you're on the go to top up your sunscreen

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Spray SPF50 | Nivea Sensitive Sun Protect SPF50+ | Garnier Sensitive Advanced SPF50 | Avene Protection Spray SPF50

SPF powder
Tend to be non-comedogenic, containing physical sunscreen rather than chemical
- Can be applied over make up, perfect for a top-up
- Difficult to spread evenly on the skin
- LOWDOWN: Perfect for a light base of makeup with added UV protection

Bare Minerals Original Powder Foundation SPF 15 | Avene Compact Protection Make Up SPF 50

Can you use body sunscreen on your face? Of course you can. However, the problem that many of us run into is that the skin on our face skin is more sensitive than our body skin. So if you have acne-prone or sensitive skin, body sunscreen can be comedogenic and too heavy to apply on the face. The beauty of face-specific sunscreen is that it is usually lightweight, non-comedogenic and formulated to reduce the chance of leaving a white cast on your face after applying.


The cardinal rules of sunscreen are:
1. SPF 30 or higher is generally required for a good level of UV protection in heavy sun exposure
2. When in direct sunlight it should be reapplied every 2 hours of sun exposure for it to maintain efficacy
3. It should be applied at least 30 minutes before heading out into the sun
4. It is a must 365 days of the year, even if you're in the office or car all day or its snowing outside!
5. Don't forget about your lips!


What are some of your favourite brands of sunscreen? Do you wear sunscreen every day?

2 comments :

  1. Sunscreen is a must for sure, especially for the face! I try to remind myself to apply it everyday, though sometimes I must admit, I forget. Thank you for the reminder and these awesome suggestions, babe!

    XO,
    Jalisa
    THE STYLE CONTOUR

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It’s hard to always remember right! Thanks honey x

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