You might think that the topic of sunscreens is totally inappropriate to discuss today as it is windy and raining outside! Well, we are all longing for some sunshine and this topic makes me think and dream about it!
Here are three myths about sunscreen use that many people believe to be true:
1. YOU ONLY NEED IT IN THE SUMMER
No, you need it all year round. Collagen-damaging UVA rays are present in daylight all year round. Even if UV index is lower, many modern sunscreen formulations contain ingredients to protect the skin against other external ageing factors, such as pollution and high-energy blue light (HEV) – the type admitted from our smartphones and laptop screens. So, if your daily routine involves exposure to either of these, you know what you need to do.
2. DARKER SKINS DON’T NEED SUNSCREEN
They really do, because they are prone to hyperpigmentation and dark marks – which again, can be picked up from UV light in daylight – even more than pale skins. Any existing pigmentation is exacerbated by the sun.
3. YOU’VE GOT SPF IN YOUR MAKEUP, SO YOU DON’T NEED SUNSCREEN
You guessed it; you do. Because when sunscreens are tested to make sure they do their job at protecting skin, they are tested on thick applications of the product. So, unless you wear your make-up in a super-thick layer, you just won’t be getting the same protection as you would with a dedicated sunscreen underneath. Plus, the SPF rating in many foundations with built-in sun protection simply isn’t high enough – you want to be using SPF30 and up.
There’s a reason I bang on about proper use of sunscreen so much. It’s the single most effective thing – apart from not smoking – that you can do to prevent the visible signs of skin ageing. So please, just wear some. Every day.
