How to avoid the most common sun cream mistakes

However within the excitement of BBQ ’s, holidays, day trips and drinks in pub gardens, it could be simple to forget.

Then Again, there are of course a myriad of advantages for shielding your pores and skin from the rays – be it over health issues or skincare concerns.

So whether you ’re jetting off or staying positioned, 
listed below are 10 ways to offer protection to your pores and skin this summer time and avoid common solar cream mistakes…

be sure that to be secure at any age

not only an issue for ‘trauma tanning ’ teens, solar damage isn ’t one thing you develop out of as you grow older. As An Alternative, the opposite will also be actual. Skincare knowledgeable and Ultrasun UK MD, Abi Cleeve explains, ‘From Time To Time our skin reveals sunburn much less as we age, but that is no longer a symptom of being “used” to the sun and wanting much less protection, relatively 
an indication that our defences aren ’t what they used to be and there maintains to be deeper down damage. ’

Uriage Bariésun Dry Mist SPF50+, £18.44, amazon.co.uk, protects against age-accelerating free radicals as 
well as UVA and UVB rays.

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Allow your skin to adjust to the sun slowly on holiday

Your skin produces UVB-protecting melanin over time, but this 
can take 10-20 days – meaning five hours on the lounger on day one of your holiday is likely to end in burnt, sore or sensitive 
skin. Try Eucerin Transparent Dry Touch Sensitive Protect Sun Spray SPF50, £16.99, Boots – it ’s not only high factor, but gentle enough for sensitive or acne-prone skin.

Understand 
the jargon behind your sun cream

One way to remember the difference between UVA and UVB rays is ‘A for ageing ’ (these penetrate deep down and break up elastin and collagen) and ‘B for burn ’ (the main cause of sunburn and skin cancer). The SPF in your sunscreen 
is a measure of how much your product will protect your 
skin from burning – but only takes into consideration UVB rays.

So, look out for 
a broad-spectrum sun lotion to shield against both UVA and UVB – P20 Face Sun Cream SPF30, £20, Boots, is a great, long-lasting option.

Use products that will protect your skin during all activities

Frustratingly, it ’s not just sun your skin needs to contend with on holiday, but saltwater and chlorine too, 
all of which can alter how your sun cream works. According to research from Vichy, an active 
day at the beach will decrease your solar protection by half.

For full protection against all elements, their Capital Soleil Beach Protect 
Anti Dehydration Spray SPF50, £18.50, vichy.co.uk, works wonders 
and even rehydrates moisture-zapped 
skin, too.

Avoid pigmentation with protective tools

Skin pigmentation isn ’t just a sign of getting older. Caused  by UVA rays penetrating deep into your skin, they ’re patches of melanin triggered by overexposure to the sun. While vitamin C can lighten pigmentation, prevention is best (and 
it won ’t reverse the deep-down damage).

Ultrasun Face Anti-Pigmentation Tinted SPF50+, £36, John Lewis & Partners, protects skin, 
stops pigmentation from forming and 
gives skin a natural glow. But if your budget can ’t stretch to this, a high-factor SPF will help shield skin, too. 
Give Solero Ultra Sensitive Sun Lotion SPF50+, £7, Lloyds Pharmacy, a go.

Don ’t scrimp on application – here ’s how much sun cream you should be using

A slapdash approach 
might save a bit of time, 
but it won ’t keep you safe when you ’re out in the sunshine. Instead, follow the advice of Boots ’ Senior Research Scientist, Clare O ’Connor. ‘As a guide, an adult body needs 
a shot glassful of product to totally cover the body. This equates to: 1tsp for your head and neck and each arm, 2tsp for front torso, 2tsp for 
the back and 2tsp for each leg. ’

Don ’t forget to apply cream to your lips!

Frequently neglected when 
it comes to sun protection, 
your lips are just as likely to burn 
as anywhere else – especially if you ’re wearing a light-reflecting lipstick or balm. Blistex Ultra 
Lip Balm SPF50+, £2.99, Boots, defends them against UVA and UVB rays, as well as delivering much-needed hydration.

Reapply more often than you think

‘A study in 2016 showed that after six to eight hours the average Sun Protection Factor (SPF) offered by “once a day” products decreased 
by 74%, ’ says Eucerin ’s medical manager Dylan Griffiths. Reapplication is therefore crucial – especially on your shins and feet, the most common 
areas for women to develop a malignant melanoma. Try Soltan Once Advanced 8hr Protect Suncare Lotion, £10, Boots.

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check out products which are additionally just right for the environment

Solar lotions work through absorbing rays so your pores and skin cells don ’t need to. However a few include the important thing meals oxybenzone and octinoxate, which can not just be damaging to our well being, but are confirmed to bleach the arena ’s coral reefs. For a ‘reef safe ’ possibility, take a look at, Green Other Folks Odor Free Solar Lotion SPF30, £14.50. A donation goes to the Marine Conservation Society with each purchase.

be sure your make-up doesn ’t harm your pores and skin

Your foundation would possibly declare to have 
a SPF, however as it ’s applied in far smaller quantities than sun cream, 
it gained ’t provide the comparable stage of coverage. Additionally, foods comparable to retinol paintings their magic via dashing up cellular phone renewal, meaning your pores and skin is thinner and more sensitive to sunlight. Shield your skin with Beauty Pie Ultralight UVA/UVB SPF25, £7.40 (£35 for non-members).

Finally that, make sure to revel in your summer season!

Words by way of: Jess Beech

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