Which SPF should I buy?
Which SPF should I buy?
It’s one of the most common questions we get asked as we approach the summer months when the British weather warms up or we jet off somewhere hot for a week in the sun.
Choosing the right SPF for your skin, taking into consideration your age, skin type, skin colour and even texture can feel like a minefield. There are so many products available on the market and such a wide variety of brands now stock excellent creams and moisturisers containing SPF.
Below are some of the questions we get asked most often and the responses we share when clients come to our clinic or call our helpline for skincare and advice from the team.
Is the SPF in my foundation enough to protect my skin?
At a basic level yes of course, but on a sunny day, when you’re likely to be spending time out in the sun, or on a particularly hot day, it’s definitely advisable to use an SPF product too. The reason why? SPF products are formulated primarily to protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays from the sun. A foundation on the other hand has been created as a make-up product with the added benefit of providing some sun protection. So while your foundation will give you some protection, and is better than using nothing at all, it’s not a superior product like an SPF cream such as Dermalogica Invisible Physical Defence or Dermalogica Oil Free Matte.
Is it worth using a product with an SPF lower than 30?
In theory, your SPF number roughly represents the amount of time the product will provide protection to you for. This means that an SPF of 15 will protect you for approx 15 minutes. Now, I don’t know about you, but I definitely don’t have time to reapply sun cream every 15 mins, whether I’m lying on the beach or not! Not to mention the cost of that amount of product - you’d be getting through bottles and bottles each week.
For this very reason, you will notice that there aren’t products now on the market which are below factor 15. As a minimum, we recommend an SPF of 15 but as a general rule, we say an SPF30 or more is a more effective measure for your skin. You won’t find many products below factor 30 on the Beautythings website.
How long do SPF creams last?
SPF creams last roughly 12 months. Anything that has been in your beauty kit for 12 months or more will definitely need to be replaced this summer and if its longer than that it’s safe to say it won’t provide any protection from the UVA and UVB rays from the sun. The SPF range from Dermalogica is excellent and one of the leading product ranges we sell over the summer months. The product range is extensive and there is a product for every skin type.
I tan well so do I really need to be using an SPF?
Yes, definitely. While many people have skin that tans with ease, there really is no such thing as a safe tan. UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin eventually affecting the elasticity and causing skin ageing. UVB rays, which are the less obvious ones, and present even on a cloudy day, are the ones that cause the most skin damage and can alter the structure of skin cells. So whichever way you look at it, you need an SPF and should be protecting your skin.
Pigmentation is also more prevalent amongst darker skin types as the skin contains more melanin. By not using an SPF you are far more likely to suffer from unwanted pigmentation on the face or body. If in doubt use the SPF!
Do you have a favorite SPF product?
We sell a wide range of products so have something for everyone. What we will say is that a dedicated SPF is the best option for most people as the products are formulated as protection from the sun, Then you can just use your regular moisturiser and foundation alongside it.
To Find out more about the SPF products that Beauty Things offer CLICK HERE
SPF PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS
ALL OVER BODY - Dermalogica Sport SPF50
AGE DEFENDER - Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF50
PHYSICAL SUNSCREEN - Dermalogica Invisible Physical Defense SPF30
GLOW ENHANCER - Dermalogica Prisma Protect SPF5
MAKE-UP PRIMER - Dermalogica Skin Perfect Primer
SKIN TONE BRIGHTENER - Dermalogica Powerbright Moisturiser SPF50
TEEN SKIN - Dermalogica Clear Start Clearing Defense SPF30
ADULT ACNE - Dermalogica Oil Free Matt SPF30
