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16 June 2022

As we head into summer and temperatures start to rise, many of us have one thing on our mind - getting a tan. Whether you’re heading abroad to sunnier climes, or you are looking to book a staycation at home, there will be plenty of opportunities for you to both relax and explore in the sunshine. Yet while this is all good and fun, it’s important you stay safe in the sun to keep your skin protected. Some sun can be good for you as it's a great, natural source of vitamin D, however the sun's UV rays can cause serious damage to your skin. Most people think the sun's UV is only harmful if you get burnt, but this isn’t the case, so you need to stay protected at all times.


If you do burn, not only can it be extremely painful, but it can also damage the pigment in your skin and lead to premature ageing. With the sun, it emits UVA, UVB and UVC rays and each can harm your skin in different ways. UVC affects weak points such as the eyes, UVA tends to just penetrate your first skin layer, while UVB rays are the most harmful. These can penetrate deep into the skin and are what can cause skin cancer. We’ve put together some top tips for keeping your skin safe and healthy in the sun, so you can have fun without any serious side effects.

Tips For Protecting Your Skin In The Sun

 

Don’t apply sun cream after shaving


When heading to the beach, chances are that you've given yourself a fresh shave. This is all well and good, but it's important to wait at least half an hour between shaving and putting on your sun cream. This is because shaving can cause your pores to open up and if sun cream gets in, it can irritate and block the skin. This can make your skin red, bumpy and itchy. By leaving it just thirty minutes, you're safe from any potential irritations or pimples that might occur and are protected from the sun's harmful UV rays. 


Stay out of the sun at the hottest part of the day


The sun tends to be at its highest point between 11 am and 2 pm, so try and stay in the shade during this time. When the sun's rays are at their strongest, you are more likely to get burnt, exposing yourself to harmful UV rays. Sunburnt skin can take a long time to heal, be very painful and could even blister. While applying sun cream isn’t enough protection alone during this time, it’s still vital to apply as often as possible - particularly if you’ve been in water such as a swimming pool or the sea.


Wear makeup that has a good SPF


There are a host of beauty products out there that contain SPF, ideal for keeping your skin protected from the sun. When choosing a new moisturiser, BB cream or foundation to add to your beauty regime, ensure it has an SPF of at least 15, but try to make it higher if possible. You should also remember to put on sun cream before applying makeup for extra protection - it can be a great primer for foundation! There are a number of dedicated sun creams for your face that are a bit more delicate and won’t clog up your pores. Normal sun cream can be used, but it will feel heavier on your skin. Also, if the sun cream for your body contains fragrance, you may find it irritating on sensitive areas of your face.


Check your sun cream hasn’t expired


When heading into the sun, it can be tempting to reach for that bottle of sun cream from a past holiday. While this is fine in theory, sun cream tends to only last 36 months, and some even less. This is why it’s so important to check it’s still in date before using it. If not, you can find you get burnt as you’re no longer protected from the sun's rays. As well as reaching its expiry date, sun cream can go off if it’s not stored properly. To avoid this, store it away from direct sunlight and in a cool, dark place. To see if your sun cream has expired, check for obvious signs such as a nasty smell, change in colour or change in texture. If you’re unsure, it’s best to be cautious and replace it with a new bottle just in case.


Wear a hat or your hair tied back


Another place that people forget they can burn is their scalp. Your scalp is another extremely sensitive part of the skin and can be very painful when it catches too much sun. It's also harder to put sun cream here, as you don’t want your hair to look greasy, which is why you need to keep it protected in other ways. The best way to protect your scalp is to wear a hat, as this will completely block your head from the UV rays being emitted. If you don’t own a hat or don’t want to purchase one, it’s advised you tie your hair back, covering your scalp and stopping it from being exposed. 


Which sun cream is the best? 


With so many sun creams on the market, it can be difficult to know which one is best. 

You could opt for a Mineral or Chemical sun cream. 

Mineral sun cream contains natural ingredients such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide and works by deflecting UVB and UVA rays. It tends to be best for sensitive skin.

Chemical sun cream contains ingredients such as octinoxate, oxybenzone and avobenzone and works by absorbing UV rays and converting them to heat which are then released from the body.


You want to look out for those with a good SPF and that feel comfortable when applied. SPF is a measure of how much UVB light a sun cream can filter out. The higher the SPF, the less chance the rays have of penetrating your skin. Consider if you want one that sprays or is a cream and how much you want to spend. Some of the best sun creams on the market include the Neutrogena Ultra Dry-Touch sun cream, the Piz Buin Mountain SPF 50+ (ideal if you're out skiing in the mountains), Garnier Ambre Solaire Sensitive Advanced Dry Mist and Avène Intense Protect SPF 50+. These all come highly recommended for both their feel and the level of protection that they offer. 


Which sun cream do dermatologists recommend?


Dermatologists recommend you choose a sun cream that has an SPF of at least 30 as this blocks around 97% of the sun's harmful rays. While factor 15 is good, it only blocks about 93% and this 4% difference between the two can have an impact on how burnt your skin might get, particularly if you're in an area with a high UV index.

 

These are just some of the top tips for helping keep your skin safe in the sun. Keeping safe is important both for your own health and for the health of your skin too. It can keep you looking younger, fresher and more radiant, with fewer wrinkles and lines. If you’re looking for the best sun cream products and other beauty products with SPF, be sure to check out our range. 

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