Sunscreens

How do I choose the best sunscreen? You should opt for a sunscreen that's been labelled 'broad spectrum', as this will protect you from UVB and UVA rays. UVB rays often cause sunburn, while UVA rays damage your skin cells and prematurely age them, which can lead to skin cancer. You should choose a high SPF, which determines the amount of UVB light that your sunscreen prevents from passing through. You should always choose an SPF of at least 30, which should generally block out around 97% of UVB rays. If you are going to be exposed to the sun all day long, select a sunscreen with an even higher SPF like a factor 50. When swimming, apply sunscreen every time you get out of the water. Should I wear sunscreen every day? If you go outdoors a lot, wearing sunscreen every day can help protect your skin from premature ageing, skin cancer and sunburn. Some moisturisers also have SPF in their formula, so you can get sun protection for your face and body automatically when you apply your usual skincare products. What happens if you don't use sunscreen? You should always use sunscreen when you plan on going out in the sun. If you don't use sunscreen, UV rays can cause skin damage and will prematurely age your skin, and you will also be at a greater risk of developing skin cancer. Should I apply SPF 30 or 50 on my face? Dermatologists agree that there isn't much difference between sunscreens that offer 30 SPF and sunscreens that offer 50 SPF. SPF 30 blocks about 97% of UVB radiation, and a sunscreen with SPF 50 will block around 98-99%, so the difference isn't particularly staggering. As a rule, you should generally apply at least SPF 30, seek shade and cover up with clothing during the heat of the day.