There’s something quite comforting about the warmth of the sun touching our skin; a hint of a sunkissed glow can help to boost confidence and radiate health, but us Brits do have a tendency to overdo it. Our shores don
There’s something quite comforting about the warmth of the sun touching our skin; a hint of a sunkissed glow can help to boost confidence and radiate health, but us Brits do have a tendency to overdo it. Our shores don’t get a huge amount of sun, so at the first sign of a sunny day we’re out on the streets in our best cut-offs and flip flops ready to baste in it like a turkey on December 25th. That makes us one of the most sunburned and sun damaged nations on the planet, because we’re just not prepared to look after our skin when we’re lucky enough to get over fifteen degrees. Unlike other countries, we’re not educated on the importance of SPF or actually how to protect ourselves from skin damage (and cancer;) we’re left floundering and doing our very best, but it’s no surprising the majority of us will see few bright red faces and painful-looking burnt patches after a few days of burning heat. So if you’ve ever found yourself wondering what all those terms really mean, how and how often you should be applying sunscreen, or why we even tan, I’m here to answer all your questions (and give you a few great product recommendations too.)
So what actually is sun cream?
Sunscreen, sun cream or sunblock are essentially liquids or creams that are applied to the skin in order to help prevent sunburn. They contain ingredients that either absorb, reflect or scatter UV rays that can cause damage to the skin, so you’re protected (to a certain degree) from the negative effects of the sun.
Why does the skin tan?
The pigment that gives the skin its natural colour is called melanin; after our skin is exposed to sunlight, the skin produces more melanin to try to absorb UV radiation and reduce potential damage – so a tan is actually a sign that the skin is trying to protect itself. Pale skin in particular is less able to absorb these damaging rays, so sun cream can help increase its ability to protect itself.
What’s the difference between UVA & UVB rays?
The sun emits two types of UV radiation – UVA and UVB – and both damage unprotected skin. UVA rays account for 95% of the light that reaches our skin and are present all year round, even when it’s cloudy and you haven’t seen the sun for weeks. They can penetrate further into the skin and destroy the key elements that give it its firmness and elasticity, having a negative impact on those key signs of ageing; they’re a major contributing factor to fine lines, wrinkles, and more importantly skin cancer. UVB rays, however, are strongest in the UK between April and October and are directly responsible for burning and pigmentation issues. The SPF rating relates to UVB rays, although many sunscreens also offer UVA protection (always worth checking!) Remember: UVA for ageing, UVB for burning.
What does SPF mean?
‘Sun Protection Factor’ is a technical and scientific measure of the effectiveness and ‘power’ of a sun cream; the higher the SPF, the higher the protection on the skin from damaging UVA and UVB rays. The number used is a calculation of how