Research has shown that most of us receive as much as 40% of our annual UV dose during summer weekends, so what should we be wearing on our skin everyday to ensure we’re properly protected?
It’s all too easy to assume that if your daily moisturiser has an SPF15 or more, you’re getting all the protection you need, but the experts strongly disagree. ‘Most regular moisturisers, even those with SPF, do not go through the rigorous testing that the EU requires for all sun specific products, which covers both SPF and UVA,’ explains Dr Lowe. ‘As a result, you may only be getting partial protection’.
So what protection should we be wearing everyday? Some experts say that a sun cream with SPF15 will give you adequate protection, but there are those who believe it’s still not enough. According to dermatologist, Dr Stefanie Williams (European Dermatology London, 10 Harley Street, London W1), a sun cream with at least SPF20 should be used daily. ‘Studies have shown that we don’t achieve the same coverage as in lab conditions, particularly because we tend not to apply enough, so protection will always be lower than it says on the bottle’, she explains. ‘You can be guaranteed that SPF20 will give you decent protection.’ Dr Gupta agrees. ‘SPF15 is too weak on a daily basis in my opinion. It may be sufficient on a dull, winter’s day but not during the summer’, he says. And of course, regardless of how high you go with SPF, still remember to check the star rating for UVA protection too.
Does this mean we should bin our anti-ageing day cream with SPF10 or 15? Yes, according to dermatologist Dr Mike Comings, Medical Director of The Private Clinic. ‘It would be impossible to apply a regular moisturiser with SPF in the quantities required to reach the full SPF,’ he explains. ‘At best you could expect protection of SPF3 or 4, and more often than not, no UVA protection’.
So what do the experts recommend? Replace your moisturiser with a specific sun cream with SPF20 upwards, although Dr Comings prefers an SPF35 for optimum protection, even on a daily basis in the UK. He also recommends applying it twice a day. ‘Inevitably everyone is going to get a certain amount of sun damage, even here in the UK,’ he says, ‘but a broad spectrum sun cream with both UVB and UVA protection is brilliant. And staying out of the sun between 11am and 3pm.’ He does however, realise the impracticalities of applying your sun cream twice a day on daily basis, but recommends doing the best you can.
The sun creams of today are a far cry from the thick, gloopy white creams we used to have to slather onto our skin. It is worth investing in a sun cream designed specifically for the face as they are now so sophisticated and lightweight you just wouldn’t know you were wearing them. Many of them are also packed with anti-ageing ingredients so you really won’t miss your old moisturiser.
. Sun Sense Daily Face, £14.30, is a light, oil-free cream with SPF50+, and is slightly tinted with a sheer matt finish.
. L’Oréal Solar Expertise Active Anti-Wrinkle & Age Spot Sun Face Cream SPF30, £11, contains hyaluronic acid amongst other anti-ageing ingredients with broad spectrum protection.
. Nivea Sun DNAge Cell Protection Anti-Ageing Face Sun Cream, £16.09, combines a sun cream and powerful anti-ageing ingredients with both UVA protection and either SPF30 or 50.
However, there are still those whose skin can be irritated by sun creams resulting in either dermatitis or acne. Dr Lowe suggests avoiding ingredients such as benzophenone, oxybenzone, and PABAs which can cause irritation for some. For sensitive skins the following contain ‘physical’ rather than ‘chemical’ sun screens.
. Piz Buin Allergy Face Cream SPF30, £10.99, combines UVB and UVA protection with calmanelle, a unique shield complex to help strengthen the skin’s resilience.
. SkinCeuticals Physical UV Defense SPF30, £18, has been formulated specifically for sensitive and intolerant skins.
. Green People Sun Lotion SPF25, £16.75, has broad spectrum protection for both UVB and UVA and contains 81% organic ingredients.
