SPF+ Sunscreen-The Difference and Why You Need It

Summer is in full swing! This is the time of the year to flaunt your best accessory for the tropical heat which isn’t a pair of designer sunglasses, flip flops or the perfect wide-brimmed hat, its glowing, healthy skin!  Getting your skin ready and radiant enough to compete with the sun can often be achieved with a few simple tips and tricks. These include using the right cleanser, exfoliating, moisturizing, drinking enough water, getting enough sleep and of course, receiving the right skin treatments.

Besides the occasional facials and other non-invasive spa procedures, there is another important step that everyone should add to their daily summer skincare regimen and that is utilizing SPF + sunscreen.

Around this time of the year, many people spend their days outdoors with family members and friends participating in activities like swimming, camping, fishing, getting the perfect tan and just enjoying the weather, but sometimes the blazing sun can be harsh on your skin, so it’s your job to protect it.

According to research, Sun Protection Factor commonly known as SPF is a measure of how long a sunscreen can protect skin from UVB rays, the kind of radiation that causes sunburn, damages skin, and can contribute to skin cancer.

These are some factors you should consider when utilizing SPF:

SPF does not measure how well a sunscreen will protect from UVA rays, which are also damaging and dangerous. Dermatologists recommend using sunscreen daily and to reapply it throughout the day to maintain the level of protection.

Sunscreen acts as general protection against the sun and usually found in some products like our Resurfacing Crème and Refining Crème. This is not the same as SPF because sunscreen is made for general protection – walking from door to car and not for outdoor activities.

SPF is more protection. The time period of protection is based on the SPF number. SPF 15 and 70 can have the same protection for the first hour, but after the first hour, SPF 15 isn’t protecting you anymore, where the SPF 70 still is. So, as a rule, apply SPF 15 every hour, SPF 30 every two hours and so on. Because of how long it protects doesn’t mean it’s indestructible. Some can be washed off, sweated off, rubbed off, etc.

Oil based SPFs tend to not be rubbed off easily. Every SPF product has different functions and tell you if they withstand sweat or water. Some may not be good for your face as oil-based ones may clog pores.

SPFs also blocks anything from entering your pores. You usually don’t find it mixed with other products because it nullifies the functions and becomes a SPF only. If we added this to the Resurfacing Crème for example, it will turn the Resurfacing Crème into a SPF and it won’t be able to remove marks or retexture skin anymore.

If you’re not sure which SPF is appropriate for your skin, discuss it with a dermatologist so that you can choose the right one for your specific skin needs and use it accordingly. It may be the key to maintaining your velvety smooth healthy skin into the next season.