Why sunscreen is the beauty ritual you can’t afford to skip

As Australians, the importance of applying sunscreen daily has been drilled into us since we were children. However, UV radiation remains one of the leading causes of degenerative ageing of the skin, as well as more serious issues such as skin cancer. We spoke to Prof Sanchia Aranda, CEO of Cancer Council Australia to explain how much havoc the sun is actually wreaking on your skin and why sunscreen is the key skin care product you should be using. Plus, everything you need to know about the new and improved facial SPF products that are full of skin loving ingredients, work perfectly under makeup and won’t cause a breakout.
So, what is the sun actually doing to my skin?
There are two types of UV rays from the sun that are damaging to the skin, UVA and UVB. “UVA rays penetrate deeply into the skin causing genetic damage to cells and photo-ageing (wrinkling and blotchiness). UVB rays penetrate the top layer of the skin, causing damage to cells, [as well as] causing the redness you get from sunburn and playing a key role in the development of skin cancer,” says Aranda. “As a result, the sun is one of the biggest contributors to degenerative ageing of the skin, which results in wrinkling, and loss of skin tone and elasticity, as it also breaks down collagen. It is believed as much as 80% of premature facial ageing, such as wrinkles and fine lines – is due to sun exposure,” explains Aranda.
What should I be doing about it?
Along with the use of clothing, hats, sunglasses and shade, wearing sunscreen plays a crucial role in protecting your skin from the sun, especially when the UV index is 3 or above or if you’re going to be exposed to sun for prolonged periods. (Top tip: you can find the UV index in the Apple Weather app on your phone.) But what is sunscreen actually doing for your skin, you ask? Well, SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. This relates to the amount of time it takes for redness to appear on the skin, compared to when no product is used at all. “For example, if it takes 10 minutes for unprotected skin to show redness, then [skin with] an SPF30 sunscreen, correctly applied, in theory will take 30 times longer, or 300 minutes to burn,” says Aranda. However, due to factors such as skin type, UV levels, swimming, drying and how much sunscreen you apply, it is always recommends to use other sun protection methods too, such as wearing a hat, sunglasses and sitting in the shade.
How do I make sure I am properly protected?
The first step to making sure you’re protected is to ensure you’re wearing a broad spectrum SPF30 or higher on your face. Your face is the one of the most exposed parts of your body, so protecting it when the UV index is 3 or above is crucial. “The higher a product’s SPF the more UVB radiation it filters. Sunscreens labelled broad spectrum are also protective against UVA,” says Aranda. The most common mistake that is made with sunscreen however is not wearing enough and not reapplying often enough. Cancer Council recommends applying at least one teaspoon for each limb, and one teaspoon for the face, neck and ears, as well as remembering to reapply throughout the day.
What is the easiest way to incorporate this into my routine?
You probably think of sunscreen as a thick, sticky formula that makes your face ghostly white, but that’s actually a thing of the past. There have been huge developments in sunscreen over the last few years, which has seen in the introduction of facial sunscreens with lightweight textures, a variety of finishes and, skin care benefits. This means, there is a now a formula to suit pretty much every lifestyle; whether you prefer UV protection in your anti-ageing moisturiser, want to wear it under, or as, your makeup, or even want to re-apply throughout the day without having to re-do your makeup, sunscreen is more wearable than ever.
Cancer Council is just one of the brands whose new formulations are making it easier than ever to incorporate a facial sunscreen into your daily beauty routine; ultra lightweight, non-greasy with a matte finish, dermatologically tested and containing skin loving ingredients, the Face Day Wear Moisturiser SPF50+ or BB Cream are perfect options to protect your skin without interfering with your chosen beauty look. These formulas also provide broad-spectrum protection (we know why that’s important now) and are available in tinted and non-tinted options (in light and medium shades), so there’s really no excuse to not apply sunscreen on your face.
Beauty editor’s tip: if opting for the moisturiser, apply it after your serum and eye cream and before makeup in the morning. However, if you’re using the tinted option or BB cream, it’s perfect for going sans foundation, providing fresh-faced coverage and SPF protection in one. Hello summer!
Did you learn anything you didn’t already know about sunscreen? Is there anything else you would like to know?
Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?
Review them now to earn points that you can swap for free beauty products in RewardsRoom.
89 Member Comments
I'm usually good with initially applying sunscreen, but reapplying? Not so much. Definitely need to do better with that.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I use sunscreen, but I don't re-apply. I think I need to check these recs out
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
With summer's getting hotter, this is a very timely article.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I use sunscreen on my face everyday but I don't re-apply :/ Difficult to do without ruining your make-up.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
the hardest thing i think is reapplication!!!
i hate my sun damage
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I use sunscreen which is already in my foundation.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Though SPF30+ is the minimum requirement for a face moisturiser, why then do some brands still produce day creams with SPF15+ ? L'Oreal Paris for instance ? Would love to see L'Oreal Paris produce a skin care range for mature women that also contains SPF30+ or better still SPF50+ in the day cream because I'd be the first one to put my hands up to trial it :).
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I think alot of brands need to pay fees to get TSA approval to test and ensure it is SPF 30+ for Australian Standards, I know some brands are over SPF30+ but have SPF15 stated on products as did not want to pay the fees. But overseas product is higher rating. I saw something in the forums along those lines..
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
It would be good to know which brands put SPF15+ but are really SPF30+ or higher. Not being in the Skin Care Industry, as customers, I suppose we will never know :(.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Yeah that's true. But the ratings are different in each country too so although higher SPF in another country our rays a different which is why they have at SPF 15 or so?
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I religiously apply spf of 30 and above.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I use 50SPF sunscreen daily without fail.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
This is a timely reminder as the weather warms up, but I'm one of the few who wear sunscreen year-round.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I tend to stay out of the sun as much as I can. I love wearing hats for sun protection as well as sunscreen.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
It's a lot I already know, but it's good to be reminded, it's so easy to forget when you're out in the sun having a good time.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
1 tsp on face and neck? 1 tsp for each limb? nope. My face is not as gigantic as my 2 meter leg xD
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I’ve just recently purchased Mecca brand sunscreen, and it’s really good.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I agree sunscreen has come a very long way, what I struggle with is finding sunscreens that do not result in clogged pores and pimples. I struggle to reapply throughout the day as I don't want to break out.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
That's so cool that the apple weather app shows the UV index! had no idea will be playing around with it haha
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I use Clinique sunblocks, really good for sensitive skin.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I have a nice La Roche spray, so quick on arms, hands and neck for the day
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I have tried Cancer Council Face Day Wear Moisturiser Matte SPF50+ Medium Tint. Which is great all in one product.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I've started wearing sunscreen more often now
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Thank you for the handy information on incorporating SPF into routines.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I'm very conscious of making sure that I wear sunscreen on my exposed bits before I go out. My favourite is Cetaphil sun kids 50+.
On my face I like to use one of the BB creams with SPF 50+.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0