We’ve spent the last few months faking that sun-kissed look with bronzers and self-tanners. Though, we are not ready to ditch a little help, we are ready to let our skin bathe in the warmth of the sun. However, we don’t go bare without protection. SPF, or sun protection factor, is a standard measurement of a sunscreen’s ability to protect the skin against sun rays. We should be slathering on a sunscreen with an SPF on a daily as part of our skincare routine “ even in the winter. Many foundations, tinted moisturizers and CC Creams include it in their formulas so you can skip this step.
However, the fairest of us all may need a little extra protection. An SPF of 30 is recommended for fair skin while the rest of us can start with SPF 15. Having a dark to deeper skin tone does not exempt you from needing sunscreen. Melanin does not protect your skin from sun damage.
Here is a little SPF math: You can’t add different SPFs like simple arithmetic. It’s more like the economics law of diminishing returns. For instance, applying SPF 10 on top of SPF 20 is not the same as applying SPF 30. Also, SPF 30 does not have twice the amount of protection as SPF 15. The increase in coverage between SPFs are only single digit percentages. To make it simple, the number refers to the estimated amount of time you can stay in the sun without getting sunburned. So, if you’re going to be sunbathing for hours reapply often and definitely after you’ve been sweating or in the water.
These are the dangers of going out unprotected:
- The likelihood that you’ll get lingering hyperpigmentation like sunspots well after your tan is gone increase dramatically.
- The collagen in your skin that keeps it supple and smooth may deteriorate which may lead to lines and wrinkles.
- You may lose your baby soft skin because the sun depletes moisture which leads to crepe-like skin.
- Permanent damage to skin cell structure can lead to other more damaging and permanent skin conditions.
Opting for a skin safety plan can make your fun in the sun a little less dangerous to your skin. Also, remember that any retinols or deep exfoliating treatments can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun. So make sure you’re keeping your skin protected to preserve your results. The easiest way to be skin safe is to add sun protection to your regimen if it’s not already a part of your makeup routine. Get your sun on “ safely.
