Most people know that New Zealand is one of the Skin cancer capitals of the world. Yet, some people are still completely bemused as to how and when to apply sunscreen.
The morning sunscreen application helps protect against sunburn but it’s not sufficient for the whole day. It’s important to remember, now that we are heading into summer, that UVA/UVB rays are largely responsible for respectively skin ageing and skin cancer and are at their peak during summer months.
What should we be doing to keep ourselves protected?
As a matter of course people need to be applying sunscreen first thing in the morning. Recommendation is a minimum of SPF30+ every two or three hours.
People generally put on less than half the sunscreen that is necessary to get full SPF level of protection and people miss spots when they apply. Therefore, we recommend that people apply sunscreen twice to areas of the body that are regularly exposed and where most skin cancer occur (hands, forearms, face) making sure to let one coat dry before putting on second.
Which sunscreen to use and when exactly in your morning skin care routine should you apply it.
Sunscreen should be the last layer of skincare a person applies, so after serums and moisturiser but before any make up.
For people with a sensitive skin condition of any kind like Rosacea, psoriasis, eczema, or any other impaired skin barrier.
Recommendation: physical sunscreens over chemical sunscreens. Research is showing that zinc is probably the safest sun protecting agent for UVA/UVB rays because it’s soothing its anti-inflammatory. The other key physical sunscreen ingredient to look out for is Titanium Dioxide, both that and zinc work by reflecting the Suns rays immediately after application.
Chemical sunscreens with certain ingredients like Avobenzone, octocrylene, and benzophenone absorb UVA/UVB rays and cause a chemical reaction in a persons skin to break down. These sunscreens take 20minutes after application to be effective.
For many people chemical sunscreens can release heat which can be worse for sensitive skins or Rosacea clients.
People need to find a sunscreen that they enjoy the feel of on their skin. If it’s going to prevent skin cancer the best sunscreen is the one that you are going to use.
