Why Spring Is The Time To Get Ahead Of The Sun Protection Game

Sunscreen matters all year long. But it’s easy to fall short over the winter months, so let’s get back to it, shall we?

It's true, sunscreen might not be the most exciting product in your skincare arsenal. However, let’s get one thing straight, it’s the single most important tool for protecting your skin from the visible signs of premature aging. How so? Because UV radiation weakens the skin’s barrier function, damages collagen and elastin and messes around with melanin production which culminates in dryness, wrinkles, dark spots and sagging skin.

And that’s not all. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most skin cancers – the most common form of cancer in the US – are caused by too much exposure to UV rays. And studies show that sun protection is a crucial way to help shield your skin from UV and thus help prevent skin cancer, often reducing your risk by up to 50 percent. 

Hopefully this is enough to convince you that sun protection deserves a permanent spot in your skincare lineup. But if you’ve let things slide over the gray, cold winter months here’s why a) that’s a mistake and b) now’s the time to get friendly with your SPF again.

Did You Know, The Sun Never Truly Takes A Day Off?

The sun may look and feel AWOL when it’s cold and gloomy outside, but it’s always there during daylight hours – winter, summer, spring and fall. Sure, the heat might not be present all the time, but the light is. And when it’s light outside, those UV rays are incredibly persistent, passing through clouds, bouncing off snow, the works.

Of course, you’re less likely to ‘tan’ or burn in the gloomier months because UVB rays are partially blocked by clouds, but they can still get you all year round. And the equally-as-harmful UVA rays – those responsible for skin aging – remain relatively constant throughout the year, regardless of temperature or cloud cover.

So, What’s The Best Year-Round Approach To Sunscreen?

Just to reiterate, all year sun protection is crucial. However, the products you choose, and where you apply them may change. Below are the golden rules of thumb but, of course, this all depends on the climate in which you live.

* During the fall and winter most of your body is covered up by clothing so the only areas you need to focus on are your face, neck, lips and hands. You’re also likely to spend more time inside when it's chiller out which makes reapplying regularly less crucial.

* In spring and summertime more time is spent outdoors and more skin becomes exposed. This means that, as well as your face SPF, you’ll need to invest in a full body sunscreen (preferably water-resistant if you’re swimming or sweating) to slather on areas like your legs, arms, feet, even your back and tummy. You must also reapply every two hours when spending prolonged periods of time outdoors.

What To Look For In A Face Sunscreen

It's pretty clear that your face gets ravaged by the sun more than any other part of the body so daily protection is imperative all year long. But how do you choose a sunscreen that's not only right for you, but will get the job done?

Unfortunately, sunscreens are not created equal. Sure, technology has come on leaps and bounds since the heavy, greasy sunscreens of yesteryear. However, there are still some thick, cheapo products out there that feel horrible on your skin and leave you with a grayish mask-like finish. 

Not down with that? We hear you. So, follow these tips and your skin will thank you for your smart choices.

1. Wearability Is Key

We believe the best sunscreen for you is the one you’ll be happy to use consistently. For example, if you’re not keen on layering an extra lotion or cream on your already oily skin, consider trying one of the latest SPF serums that are so lightweight you’ll forget you’re even wearing it. (PS: don’t tell anyone but we just might have something special launching next month that fits this bill nicely…)

2. The SPF Sweet Spot

We’re sure you’re aware that SPF stands for sun protection factor and is an indication of how well your sunscreen will protect you from burning. OK, so that means the higher the number, the greater the protection, right? Well yes, but this doesn’t mean you necessarily need to apply an SPF 100 on a regular basis. In fact, most skin experts agree that SPF 30 is the magic number as this blocks 97 percent of UVB radiation. Anything above this offers only a very minimal amount of extra defense. Oh, and remember that an SPF number is only an indication of UVB protection, not UVA.

3. Broad Spectrum

Speaking of UVA, this is where the term ‘broad spectrum’ is important. This term is used to indicate that a product blocks both UVA and UVB radiation ­­from the surface of your skin; a broad spectrum of light, if you will.

Don’t see the words ‘broad spectrum’ anywhere on your current sunscreen? Then we advise ditching it. Otherwise you could be subjecting your skin to all sorts of UVA-induced damage which can go undetected for years. Until it doesn’t…

4. Chemical vs Mineral

There are two main types of sunscreen available: chemical and mineral (aka physical). They’re pretty self-explanatory but the gist is that chemical ones use active chemical ingredients like octisalate, octinoxate and avobenzone to protect your skin from the sun. These chemicals absorb UV radiation, break it down into heat and then release it through your skin. 

Meanwhile, mineral sunscreens use mineral sun blockers like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to form a physical barrier on the surface of the skin which reflects UV radiation away from the surface.

Which is best? Well, only you can be the judge of what you prefer but know this: while chemical sunscreens are often very lightweight and easy to apply, they don’t automatically have broad spectrum protection. They can also irritate the skin and are potentially harmful to the environment. Mineral sunscreens, however, protect from both UVA and UVB radiation and they are way kinder to the skin and the world. Not only that but zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are currently the only two sunscreen ingredients proposed to be safe and effective by the FDA.

We’re all about the latter – feels like a no brainer, right? – which is why our reef-safe and skin-friendly SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen is formulated with non-nano zinc oxide. 

5. The Skincare Extras

To maximize the results of your sunscreen, it’s wise to choose formulas that go the extra mile with trusted ingredients your skin will love. Antioxidants like vitamin C, for example, work like dogs to fight the damaging effects of sun-induced free radicals. Vitamin C also helps to  brighten the skin, fade dark spots and it encourages your sunscreen to work harder and better by improving the absorption of UV radiation. 

We’re big fans of vitamin C in case you hadn’t noticed and pack our SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen with plenty of sodium ascorbyl phosphate (SAP) – the better tolerated version of pure vitamin C. Our sunscreen also contains hydrating aloe vera and vegan marine collagen to promoted strength and elasticity. Oh, and you know that new product we touched on earlier that's maaaaybe an SPF serum? Well this little baby is also packed with incredible ingredients your skin is going to love.

Watch this space for more information on that real soon!