The most important step in your skin care, whatever the weather.
When the temperatures plummet and our thoughts inevitably turn from bikinis to hats, there’s one summer staple that should be front and center for every season – sun protection factor (SPF). It’s often synonymous with long days at the beach or in the garden, but any dermatologist worth their salt will tell you that trusty SPF isn’t a one-season product and should remain in your daily regimen long after the frost has set in. .
Why should we wear SPF in the winter when the sun is weaker and we are inside more?
Sure, we’re not blessed with balmy climates all year round in the UK, but facialist and skin expert Renee Lapino is quick to point out that pollution and our famously cloudy skies are just as harmful. “It’s a myth that the sun is always weaker in cloudy weather,” he says. “Although not as strong in winter, UV rays still bounce off clouds and are magnified when the sun is behind gray skies. We also don’t have to be outside to feel the effects, as the sun’s rays are intensified when they pass through our window panes.”
What are the skin health benefits of using SPF?
Saving ourselves from lobster territory in the height of summer, SPF can do much more than protect against sunburn all year round. “Most of us think of sun damage as dark freckles and sun spots, but there’s a lot more to it than meets the eye,” explains Renee. “The body creates those spots to protect the weak tissue that the sun has already broken. When we are exposed to the sun, UV rays penetrate the dermis (the middle layer of the skin), causing an abnormal build-up of elastin, which breaks down collagen and leaves the skin wrinkled and loose.’
Is SPF in our moisturizer or makeup enough?
From tinted moisturizers to foundations, you’d be hard-pressed to find a beauty product that doesn’t offer some level of sun protection, but it might not cut it. “Most makeup products only have SPF10 or 15, which isn’t nearly enough protection,” explains Renee. “I always recommend at least SPF20+ in a separate product for full, even coverage to protect the skin. We don’t put foundation on our brows, lids and ears, so makeup and moisturizer won’t cover everything we need. Make sure to wait five minutes after applying SPF before putting on makeup to let it set.” So if your trusty foundation of choice has a slightly lower SPF, there’s no need to ditch it, just top it up with a face SPF before applying.
Won’t putting makeup on top of SPF break me out?
Thick and sticky sunscreen combined with foundation doesn’t make for flawless skin, but SPF offerings have come a long way from the white paste of our childhood. “There are so many formulations now that don’t cause irritation or breakouts,” Renee tells us. “From powders and mineral creams to sprays and invisible lotions, SPF has been adapted to retain more conditioning properties to make it more user-friendly. Brands have incorporated ingredients like hyaluronic acid and skin-loving antioxidants for added benefits, so it sits flawlessly under makeup” just like Tropic’s lightweight Sun Day Facial UV Defense.
What else should we know?
While putting on SPF is vital, removing it is just as important. “Sunscreen sits on the surface of the skin to protect it, but it can also trap a lot of dirt and grime. While we sleep our skin repairs itself, so we want it to be clean to allow oxygen to nourish it and encourage cell turnover, and proper cleansing is imperative to stop breakouts and congestion,” warns Renee.
Like all new habits, finding the right SPF for your daily routine is key to consistency. “If you like your morning routine as low-maintenance as possible, choose a tinted face SPF that also provides light coverage. If you like to wear makeup, choose a lightweight SPF with moisturizing ingredients that you can layer seamlessly under foundation,” suggests Renee. “You can also consider using more than one formula for all-day protection. For example, I have a cream for the winter, an SPF tint for the summer and a stick for two hours of renewal all year round.’
After all, SPF is a skincare essential, whether it’s a brisk, blushing walk in the depths of winter or a walk on a hot beach. You may go on vacation, but you should never leave free time with a protection index.
