Why You Should Incorporate an SPF in Your Daily Skincare Routine
This piece was created on spec and is not associated with any specific brand or company. Photo by Reuben Mansell on Unsplash.
If you consume a lot of skincare and beauty related content, you’ve probably heard before that SPF is a holy grail product for any skincare routine.
A lot of influencers and companies selling or promoting products with SPF will tell you it’s important to protect your skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun and that adding SPF to your routine can help fight signs of aging — and all of that is true.
Let’s breakdown what SPF and UV radiation even is and how you can take steps in your day-to-day life to protect yourself from harm.
What is UV Radiation?
Spending some time in the sun is a great way to get a dose of vitamin D, but if your skin isn’t protected it can be harmful. Not only does an abundance of UV rays enhance signs of aging, but it can also cause melanoma, or skin cancer, one of the most common forms of cancer in the U.S.
To really understand how UV rays can be harmful, it’s important to know what UV rays are.
Of the light the sun produces, some of it is visible and some isn’t. UV radiation is a wavelength we can’t see. There are two types of UV rays that can damage the skin, each working in different ways:
Ultraviolet A (UVA) contributes to skin aging
Ultraviolet B (UVB) cause skin burning (sunburn)
It’s also important to note that other surfaces can reflect UV radiation and contribute to its harmfulness. Snow, for example, can reflect up to 80% of UV radiation. This is why it’s important to lather up with SPF all throughout the year, not just in the summer months.
So What is SPF and How Do You Wear It?
SPF stands for sun protection factor and it’s essentially a measurement of how much UV radiation is required to produce a sunburn. The higher the SPF, the more sunburn protection it offers. But keep in mind that there is no sunscreen that blocks 100% of the harmful rays.
Also, SPF only protects against UVB rays (the ones associated with sunburn). The American Dermatologist Association recommends going with a broad spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB radiation.
Sunscreen should come last in your skincare routine, after your moisturizer. There are moisturizers available that offer some SPF protection. While some offer more than others, the best way to guarantee your skin is protected is by adding a broad spectrum SPF into the mix.
Sunscreen should be applied at least 30 minutes before going outside to allow your skin time to absorb it. But keep in mind that even if you plan on staying inside all day, you should still wear an SPF because your windows won’t fully protect you from UV rays.
While we’re focusing on your face and incorporating SPF into your skincare routine, remember that really your whole body should be covered in a protective layer of SPF to keep you safe from the sun’s rays, especially if you’re planning on spending the day outside with your skin exposed.
Johns Hopkins Medicine recommends reapplying sunscreen every two hours, especially after swimming or sweating. If you’re spending the day indoors, you may not need a second application. Just be mindful of how much time you’ve spent outside and use your judgment. If you want to be extra safe, you can keep some extra sunscreen with you at your desk or in your car to reapply whenever you feel it’s necessary.
Applying and Reapplying SPF With Makeup
If you’re wearing makeup, the way you apply and reapply your SPF may be a little different so you can avoid ruining your makeup.
Well+Good suggests layering your products like this:
Any skin care is first so the nourishing ingredients are closest to your bare face
Next is SPF
Last is makeup
This method can differ depending on the type of sunscreen you’re using. For example, powdered SPF can be applied over your makeup. For more info on the different ways to apply and reapply SPF while also wearing makeup, check Well+Good, Allure, Johns Hopkins Medicine and Byrdie.
Bottomline
A broad spectrum SPF is the best thing to incorporate into your daily skincare routine to protect yourself against the sun’s harmful UV rays. UV radiation can enhance signs of aging and cause skin cancer, but daily SPF use can greatly reduce your risk.