Summer sun. It was good while it lasted, right? It’s truly time to bid farewell to the warmth for the next few months, but that doesn’t mean you should say it to your sunscreen. Read this blog to find out why you should wear sunscreen daily — even in the winter.
When it’s warm, and the sun is shining, it is normal to slather sunscreen all over our exposed skin. Especially before heading outside for the day. But, as the days draw in and it becomes gloomy outside, sunscreen often gets overlooked. It’s even stored away in the back of the kitchen cupboard; not to be used again until next year.
Where has this mindset come from? Well, a large chunk of the retail market erroneously believes that sunscreen is a seasonal product. You know summer is on its way when the aisles are fully stocked with sunscreens and after sun. But sunscreen is not actually seasonal at all. You should apply it all year round, as UV rays are unhampered by all types of weather.
Even more so, blue light rays have now become a part of our daily lives. Most of us spend much of our day staring at mobile and computer screens. It’s widely known how blue light can interfere with our vision, focus and a good night’s rest. That’s why blue light glasses were created. But, many people are still unaware of how blue light affects our skin.
So, before you put the sunscreen away for good, you may want to think again. Here are the reasons why you should continue to wear sunscreen daily and how to find the best one for your skin.
Do I need sunscreen in the colder months?
Yes! A thousand times, yes.
UV radiation permanently damages the skin, leaving traces of dark spots and wrinkles. It can also cause cancer, so it’s not to be messed with.
There are two different types of UV radiation to keep in mind: UVB and UVA.
UVB rays are what we try to protect ourselves from in the summer. It mostly affects the cells in the upper layers of skin, causing sunburn, blistering and cancer.
UVA rays penetrate into the deeper layers, including the dermis. It also remains potent in winter and can pass through clouds and glass. So, if your desk is near a window or you drive a lot, it’s best to add SPF to your daily skincare routine for protection.
In recent times, direct sunlight exposure is not the only reason to wear sunscreen daily. Blue light radiation is a silent threat to those who work from a computer screen or spend a lot of time on their phones. Adopting blue light glasses can aid the effect it has on your eyes. But, there is little advice out there for saving your skin. Blue light emitted from electronic devices can cause cell shrinkage and death. This is a major culprit of premature ageing. Hyper-pigmentation, early wrinkles and a loss of firmness are all tell-tale signs you’ve spent too much time staring at a screen.
My makeup contains SPF. Does that mean I need to apply extra?
Some makeup products and moisturisers already contain SPF. But, the SPF is usually diluted and is not strong enough to fend off radiation.
Factor 30+ is ideally the minimum you should be looking for. Though, we recommend 50+ to better protect your skin.
Finding a sunscreen with an even higher factor to apply after your moisturiser is best. The cooler weather is also harsh and can dry out the skin. That’s why we recommend a two-step skincare routine to lock in moisture. This will keep you hydrated and youthful-looking throughout the winter months.
Don’t all SPF do the same job?
No. Not all SPFs are the same.
First off, some are only meant for the body. These tend to leave a thick, sticky residue and are heavily fragranced, which can cause acne. Even sunscreen specified for the face can leave a white shiny cast beneath your makeup.
Winter weather is also abrasive, which can wear the sunscreen away over time. It’s recommended that you apply sunscreen every two hours. So, you need one that’s not gloopy or will smudge your diligently applied makeup.
And finally, not all sunscreens protect you against blue light rays, which penetrate deeper than UV rays.
How to find your dream sunscreen?
When hunting for your dream sunscreen, here are a few terms to look out for so you’re confident it fully protects your skin:
Broad Spectrum:
Broad Spectrum will shield you from UVA, UVB and blue light radiation.
Water-resistant:
The British winter is very wet and soggy! This will help the sunscreen stay on, even when it rains.
Remember: It is only water-resistant, so it will need topping up after forty minutes.
Active Ingredients:
Search for sunscreens that contain active ingredients, such as Zinc Oxide. This metal acts as a physical barrier to deflect the radiation from the skin. Doing so reduces the amount of radiation that sinks down into the skin layers.
ZO Skin Health: Dermatologist’s Holy-Grail Daily Sunscreen
Finding the perfect sunscreen that can do all the above may seem impossible. But, at Cliftonville, we offer non-greasy sunscreens that are broad-spectrum. This means they will protect you from all three types of radiation (UVA, UVB and blue light).
ZO Skin Health was designed by renowned dermatologist Dr Zein Obagi. Their ethos is to create comprehensive, science-backed skincare solutions for everyone. Always with your unique skin type in mind, these sunscreens won’t break you out or leave you with a greasy, shiny face
Click here to view the full range.
These treatments have potent and active ingredients that actually make a difference to your skin. For instance, ZO Skin Health SPFs include ingredients such as Zinc Oxide, which deflects UV rays.
Our skincare specialist can adapt your regime based on your skin’s responses. These are strong products; some will need a medical prescription, which is why they are only available through selected clinics like ours.
At ZO Skin Health, they believe finding the “right” sunscreen is subjective. What works for one patient may not work for another. And we couldn’t agree more. You could spend hours reading the labels of each bottle or scrolling online. But, this is still a trial and error approach.
Answer this: Do you really have the cupboard space to clog up with products you will never use again?
If the answer is no, let our skincare expert, Dr Arti Shah, create a personalised ZO regime that will work wonders for you. With a wealth of knowledge on all products within the Obagi range, she can guide you to an SPF you will want to wear every day of the year.
Looking For Skincare Advice in Northampton?
We are open 6 days a week Monday-Saturday, including evenings.
To book a free ZO Skin Health consultation, call our friendly reception team on 01604 604545. Or you can click here to book online.