Sun Care Tips: How to Protect Face and Body from Sun Exposure?
The most important part of a skincare routine lies in how effective its sun care products are. It isn’t the cleanser, moisturiser or any serums that may come with a good beauty regime, as all of that will be misspent if a) there isn’t any sunscreen to lock it all in and shield the skin from harmful UV rays, and b) any of those products do not contain SPF, which measures sunscreen protection.
Why sun protection is so important
1. It is not just about preventing painful sunburns. Sunscreen protects our skin from harmful UV rays which can create some serious damage.
2. As we get older, our skin becomes more fragile and thin, and overexposure to the sun will impede the skin’s ability to repair itself. Sun damage causes photoageing, which causes the skin to look leathery, discoloured, saggy and wrinkly.
3. Women in their 20s are much more susceptible to long-term damage by the sun, and this might also increase the risk of skin cancer such as melanoma.
Sun Protection Tips
In this day and age, it is so easy to develop sun-damaged skin especially if you are not getting sufficient or any protection at all. Instead of trying to rewind any damage that the sun has caused, let’s look at the ways we can prevent it. After all, prevention is better than cure.
1. Wear sunscreen all the time, even if it is on a cloudy day.
It is a common misconception that one needs to forgo the sunscreen on a cloudy day because of the absence of the sun, but the truth is that the sun still emits harmful rays even when it is not visible.
2. Be sure to wear an SPF of at least 15, although experts recommend nothing below 30.
Anything lower than an SPF 15 should be topped up with another SPF, but it is generally advised to stick to a healthy amount of SPF30, as this will block 97% of all harmful rays.
3. If you are wearing make-up, be sure to wear a foundation or a BB cream that has SPF built into it.
There’s the BB Beauty Perfector SPF30, or a sunscreen for the face like the UV Plus SPF 50 (which comes in shades to correct the skin) or even a foundation with SPF like the Bright Plus Brightening Cushion Foundation SPF50 (which also helps to brighten the skin for a glowy effect) and the Everlasting Foundation SPF 15. If not, invest in moisturisers and lotions that have SPF built in.
4. Be sure to cater to your skin and body depending on your lifestyle and activity.
There are many different types of sunscreen with different SPF, so it can easily get very overwhelming. Just remember that for daily commutes as well as quick and short exposure to the sun requires at least SPF15, while heavy outdoor activities require an SPF of 30 to 70.
5. Choose effectiveness over convenience.
Between a sunscreen or sunblock spray, a sunscreen lotion or cream is always the better option. It is undeniable that sprays are much easier and faster to apply, but it does require touching up more often.
6. Generally, try to invest in a broad-spectrum sun protection product.
Considering that the recommended SPF is between 30 to 70, aim for the middle, such as purchasing a sunscreen of SPF 50.
7. Know when to apply your sunscreen.
The golden rule for the face is to apply it after cleansing and moisturising your face and before make-up. What’s even better is if your moisturiser or serum has built-in SPF, like the White Plus Pure Translucency Brightening Emulsion SPF20. Both the face and body need to be covered in sunblock, 15 to 30 minutes before sun exposure.
8. Consider sunscreen for when water is involved too.
If you are about to get into water or are participating in water sports, purchase a waterproof sunscreen. Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours.
9. Make sure the clothes you wear are sun-resistant.
Choose light-coloured clothing as opposed to dark ones, denser weaves as opposed to loose ones and opt for polyester and nylon over natural fibres. All these attributes can help to minimise the effects of the sun.
10. Your eyes can also burn from the sun, so be sure to protect them.
Sunglasses and shades aren’t all about accessorising. They function as a barrier between the sun and your eyes, so be sure to whip out those stylish or practical shades whenever you are out and about during the day.
11. Take care of your lips.
Avoid chapped, burnt, and dehydrated lips by swiping a lip balm with SPF on your lips at all times. The lips can easily catch damage from the sun as well, so make sure they are well-protected, hydrated and moisturised.
12. Incorporate supplements into your diet.
Consider taking supplements that include Vitamin B3, Astaxanthin, Lycopene, Vitamin E, Vitamin D, EGCG, Curcumin, Pycnogenol and Grape Seed Extract. All these will contribute towards a more fortified UV protection system as well as a healthier complexion.
How to prepare the body for sun exposure
Using your favourite sunscreen lotion or sunscreen spray such as the Sun Care Body Lotion SPF50, apply liberally all over exposed skin 15 to 30 minutes before exposure to the sun. A sunscreen spray would be beneficial to help supplement other sun protection products, as the spray nozzle will allow for an easier application on hard-to-reach areas like the back of the body.
