THE ONE PRODUCT YOU CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT

Did you know you should be wearing your SPF everyday?

That's right, Winter, Summer, Autumn and Spring.

Why? Well, stopping the UVA rays is just as important as the UVB rays.

Wearing an SPF DAILY should be the first step in looking after your skin.

There are many benefits for using a Sunblock. Obviously stopping the UVB rays from burning you is the Number 1 and what most people will think of.

UVB rays are a shorter wavelength so can only penetrate epidermal layers or the very top layer of the skin surface, and are the strongest in the middle part of the day, 11am-3pm, and in summer.

They produce heat and so are easy for us to recognise.

Heat produces a reaction in our skin and activates our melanocyte. What's a melanocyte? A melanocyte produces melanin - it's what gives your skin its colour. If you get too much sun, your melanocyte kicks in and releases melanosomes which create a little 'sunhat' on the surface of your skin to protect the skin cells. This is one of the contributing factors to what you may commonly call pigmentation.

UVA rays are the same ALL YEAR ROUND and through ALL weather conditions. They penetrate deeper into the skin (epidermal and dermal) and have the ability to breakdown your collagen and elastin, (That's the stuff keeping your skin firm, plump and springing back into place), & therefore increasing our risk of premature ageing. These rays have no heat, won't cause you to burn and you can't see them coming through your car or house windows, so you won't notice the damage until it is too late.

Prevention is always better than cure.

So which is best?

There are so many on the market. I believe (and recommend) a Physical Sunblock (containing Zinc or Titanium Dioxide) provides you with the best protection. A physical block reflects the suns rays. Therefore no penetration of UVA rays (breakdown of collagen & elastin) or UVB rays (burning and pigmentation) occur.

Personally I always use a skin specific moisturiser underneath my SPF product, however using one that also doubles as your moisturiser can be a great one step product as long as you apply enough to cover your face, neck and décolletage fully. I prefer to always use a clear SPF before applying a tinted SPF, Beauty Balm or foundation. Why? Because you most likely won't use as much product when it is tinted and therefore won't have the protection required for the product to work effectively.

Wearing an SPF is especially important when you are having in-salon treatments and using prescribed Skincare products at home.

I have a number of options, including Beauty Balms, Clear, tinted, and even Lip Balm so you can always find your best match.

Not sure what your SPF product is?

Bring it to your next treatment or send me a picture and I can give you the best advice moving forward.

It's important to also remember to protect yourself fully from the sun by reapplying your SPF, wearing your hat, sunglasses and sun smart clothing.

Did you know pigmentation is also caused from sunlight through your eyes? That's why you will almost always see me with sunglasses when outside.

But, that's for another upcoming blog.

Creating healthy skin

Karen xo

#skinbodysoulblog #spfdaily