The UK has been heating up recently, with temperatures in some regions consistently reaching around 30 degrees. But aside from enjoying sunny skies, the warmer weather has got many of us thinking about the importance of protecting ourselves from sun damage.
Overexposure to the sun’s UV rays can lead to sunburn, heat stroke, premature ageing, and an increased risk of skin cancer. In fact, studies suggest that as much as 90% of skin ageing is caused by the sun, and that up to nine in 10 cases of melanoma skin cancer could be prevented if people enjoyed the sun safely.
With that said, we’ve pulled together 10 sunscreen rules to protect your skin.
1. Wear sunscreen every day, regardless of where you are
It’s easy to assume that you only need sunscreen when sitting in direct sunlight. But it’s important to wear sunscreen every day, regardless of where you are, what you’re doing, or how sunny it is.
Research shows that as much as 80% of the sun’s UV rays are still present on cloudy or overcast days. Similarly, snow, sand, and water have all been found to reflect between 25% and 80% of the sun’s UV rays, which can heighten exposure.
Equally, no amount of time spent outdoors is too small to consider wearing sunscreen. It’s easy to discount sun exposure when getting on with daily tasks like running errands or driving somewhere. However, studies show that incidental sun damage adds up.
Take this study, which found that people who spent a significant part of their job driving had 20 times more sun damage on one side of their face than the other. The Skin Cancer Foundation has linked incidental sun exposure built up throughout a lifetime with a higher skin cancer risk.
Experts are also keen to emphasise that it’s also important to wear sunscreen indoors, especially when near windows, because UVA rays can penetrate through glass.
For everyday wear, sunscreen should be applied generously to your face (ears included), neck, and hands – as well as any other exposed areas. If you don’t have much hair, experts advise applying sunscreen to your head as well.
When wearing hairstyles that expose your scalp, such as plaits, a bun, or ponytails with a parting, hair mist oils or powders with SPF can be beneficial. Check out this list of best UV protection sprays for the hair and scalp from Stylist for ideas.
Try to apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside to allow it to bind to your skin.
2. Sunscreen is important for every skin type
Some people are naturally more prone to sunburn. This is largely connected to your skin type – for example, people with fair skin generally have the highest risk. Nevertheless, even without a burn, sun exposure can damage skin – so it’s still important to protect yourself with sunscreen.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, even if you tan or your skin type is dark and doesn’t redden, too much UV radiation from the sun may cause cellular damage that can lead to cancer.
For this reason, the NHS recommends that everyone wear sunscreen, regardless of age, skin type, and whether or not you tan easily.
Note: The only exception to this rule is babies under the age of six months, as their skin is highly sensitive. Instead of applying sunscreen, the best way to protect babies under six months is to stay out of the sun, use shade structures, and invest in sun-protective clothing.
3. Use broad-spectrum sunscreen for maximum protection
The best way to protect yourself from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation is to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen, which includes both UVA and UVB protection.
Sunlight contains ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which is made up of different types of rays – including UVA and UVB rays. UVA and UVB rays affect your skin differently, but both can cause harm.
UVA rays have longer wavelengths than UVB rays and can penetrate deeper, to the middle layer of skin (the dermis). UVA rays are responsible for around 95% of the UV radiation that reaches Earth and are known to play a role in the formation of some types of skin cancer.
UVB rays have shorter wavelengths than UVA rays and reach only the outer skin layer called the epidermis. UVB rays are the main cause of sunburn and also play a role in the formation of skin cancers, including a particularly dangerous form of skin cancer called malignant melanoma.
4. Sunscreen should be reapplied every couple of hours
Research shows that sunscreen begins to lose effectiveness around two hours after being applied to the skin. This is because sunlight exposure and other environmental factors, such as sweat and skin sebum production, begin breaking down the different ingredients in sunscreen.
For this reason, it’s important to reapply sunscreen every two hours, or more frequently if you’re spending time in water or sweating heavily. Experts at Dermatology and Skin Health emphasise that consistent reapplication is key for maintaining sun protection, no matter the SPF rating.
5. SPF 30 should be the minimum
All sunscreens are given an SPF rating, which stands for Sun Protection Factor. This tells you how long the sun’s UVB rays would take to redden your skin if you apply the sunscreen exactly as directed, compared to if you didn’t use it.
The higher the SPF number, the longer your skin is protected from the sun’s burning effects. For example, if you use an SPF 30 sunscreen, it would take 30 times longer for your skin to burn than if you applied no sunscreen.
That said, as we don’t usually know our natural burning time, and because this can vary throughout the day, seasons, and location, it’s generally agreed that the higher the SPF, the better. Starting with a higher SPF can serve as a safety net, providing the highest quality protection for a longer period. Experts recommend using a minimum of SPF 30, or SPF 50 if you have fair, sensitive skin.
6. Find a sunscreen that works for you
With so many products available, choosing a sunscreen can be tricky. However, it’s important to find a sunscreen that works for you. Chances are, if you’re happy with it, you’ll be more likely to consistently use it.
Sunscreen contains active ingredients that help prevent the sun’s UV radiation from reaching your skin. There are two main types of sunscreen, both of which may be better suited to certain skin types. These are…
- Mineral sunscreens – contain minerals like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, which work like a shield, by reflecting and scattering sunrays before they can penetrate the skin.
- Chemical sunscreens – contain ingredients like avobenzone and octisalate, which work like a sponge to absorb UV rays before they can damage the skin.
Both mineral and chemical sunscreens have been deemed safe and effective, and sun protection products contain a combination of both types of ingredients. However, experts say mineral sunscreens may be less likely to cause skin irritation than chemical sunscreens.
For help finding the right sunscreen for you, you might find Skin Cancer Foundation’s sun protection product finder useful.
7. Make wise clothing choices
Protecting yourself from sun damage doesn’t just involve applying sunscreen – your clothing plays a role, too.
Generally speaking, darker clothing offers the most protection from the sun because they absorb more ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, preventing it from reaching the skin. However, dark colours aren’t always convenient in hot weather because they also absorb more heat. Just like sunscreen SPF ratings, clothing is categorised by its ultraviolet protection factor, which can act as a useful guide.
Any fabrics below UBF 15 aren’t considered to offer UV protection, and, as a result, sunscreen should be applied in the area they cover. For example, a typical cotton white t-shirt has a UBF rating of less than 15. Meanwhile, clothing with a UBF rating of 50 or higher is considered to offer excellent protection, allowing less than 2% UV transmission to skin.
The Expert Advice website has more information on how to choose sun-protection (UBF) clothing. Alternatively, if your clothing doesn’t have a UBF label, the Skin Cancer Foundation has tips on how to dress to protect yourself from the sun, including the fabric, fit, colour, and coverage of clothing.
Accessories like hats, sunglasses, sarongs, and beach cover-ups can offer additional protection.
8. Sunscreen should be applied even if your makeup has SPF
If a makeup product claims an SPF value, it means it’s gone through the necessary testing and regulatory guidelines to categorise it as a sunscreen. However, while offering some level of protection, experts are keen to emphasise the importance of applying sunscreen underneath makeup.
This is because complexion products, such as foundation and concealer, are often applied too thinly to offer proper protection – meaning they only provide a fraction of their SPF rating.
9. Don’t forget to protect your lips and eyelids
It’s easy to forget your lips when applying sunscreen, but wearing a lip balm with SPF is essential. In fact, according to experts, skin cancer in the lip area can be particularly dangerous.
Equally, it’s important to pay special attention to your eye area, where the skin is thinner and more fragile, making it more susceptible to signs of sun damage. You don’t need a special sunscreen for your eye area, but experts do recommend using a more targeted applicator, such as a sunscreen stick.
10. Remember that sunscreen expires
Skincare products don’t last forever, and this includes sunscreen. Once expired, sunscreen may lack the active ingredients needed to be effective, making it less protective against UV rays. Expired products are also likely to contain bacteria, which can lead to adverse skin reactions like irritation and breakouts.
According to experts at No.7, a few of the main giveaways that a sunscreen has expired include its scent, consistency, and colouring. For example, if a sunscreen appears watery, lumpy, or has a colour shift, it’s a sure sign that your sunscreen may need replacing.
Most product labels display their expiration date as a symbol that looks like an open tub with ‘6m’ or ‘12m’ oriented on it. This refers to the number of months a product will stay fresh after being opened.
Final thoughts…
Overexposure to the sun can lead to sunburn, heat stroke, and premature ageing, and increase your risk of cancer. As a result, following an effective sunscreen routine to protect yourself from sun damage is one of the best things you can do for your health.
For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our article: 11 tips to protect your skin from sun damage. For further reading, head over to our health section.
What steps do you take to protect yourself from sun damage? Will you be doing anything different after reading our article? We’d be interested to hear from you in the comments below.
