May is skin cancer awareness month and to honor that I’m here to talk about sunscreen. As the weather warms up and the sun gets stronger, incorporating sunscreen into your daily routines becomes even more important. Still, it can be hard to choose the right products for you and to trust the products you’re using. Follow these guidelines to stay protected this spring and summer.
Ingredients
I always recommend using mineral based sunscreens. They will offer better protection than chemical sunscreens. This is because mineral sunscreens create a barrier that reflects UV rays off the top of the skin while chemical sunscreens allow rays into the skin before converting them, so they don’t cause burns. Most mineral sunscreens use some combination of zinc and titanium dioxide for their sun protection. In the past these ingredients were known to cause a white cast or feel heavy on the skin, but modern formulations don’t have these problems. In addition to the great protection these ingredients provide, they are also very soothing for the skin. Sunscreen gives your skin a boost while fighting off environmental damage. Our Daily moisturizer with SPF 50 is a great example of a lightweight, sheer, and zinc-based sunscreen.
SPF ratings
SPF stands for sun protection factor and is how the strength of sunscreen is measured. Sunscreen products can range from an SPF as low as 4 all the way to an SPF of 100. I recommend using a daily product that is at least SPF 30. SPF 30 blocks 97% of UV rays. For post-procedure or outdoor use, I recommend a product with an SPF of 50 or higher that will block 98% of UV rays. Anything above 50 has slight improvement with SPF 100 being the highest rating and it blocks 99% of UV rays. However, it’s important to remember after about two hours all sunscreen products begin to lose efficacy, so reapplication is key.
When to wear it
Always. For your face and neck, wearing sunscreen every day is the most important part of your morning routine. Getting into the habit of applying daily will prevent damage from forming, saving you the need for more advanced treatment later. It will also act as insurance on your advanced treatments by protecting and lengthening your results. It’s important to do this year-round even in the winter as the sun’s rays are just as strong. Especially after it snows, UV rays will bounce off the snow and back onto your face leaving you susceptible to sun damage if your skin isn’t properly protected.
Reapplication
The key to effective sunscreen use is reapplication. Ideally it should be reapplied every 2 hours. This guideline should be followed when you are outdoors or in direct sunlight for an extended period, for example, a long drive. However, I understand life is busy and it can be hard to fit that into your daily schedule. In my opinion a good habit to form is applying once in the morning, once around noon, and once in the early evening, specifically before driving home from work or school. Be especially careful if you work outdoors or near large windows. A great product for reapplication is our On the Go Mattifying Powder + SPF.
Special offer
Ready to upgrade your sun protection? For the month of May we’re offering 10% LCP skincare’s Daily Moisturizer with SPF 50. This light weight yet nourishing formulation is perfect for anyone’s morning skincare regimen. Its zinc-based sun protection paired with potent antioxidants and hydrators is the perfect combination for fighting all kinds of environmental damage. Stock up now and stay glowing all summer long!
