While wearing sunscreen (SPF) year-round whether it’s snowy, cloudy or sunny is beneficial, it’s spring now and we wanted to remind you of all of the many benefits. Some may surprise you! We’re also answering a few common SPF questions below that are important to know.

Sunscreen benefits:

The cheapest anti-aging and preventative product you can use. Series of peels, lasers and more will be must more expensive trying to reverse damage, and the skin may not be able to look as good as it could have with religious SPF use.

Reduces the risk of skin cancer. 

Helps post acne dark marks to heal. Those marks are from inflammation and without SPF, they may stay darker for longer to protect the skin. That’s what a tan is, the skin protecting itself!

Reduces sun spots, age spots, hyperpigmentation, melasma and more.

What kind of SPF should I be wearing?

We prefer mineral SPF like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These are considered reef safe in places like Hawaii, are more ani-inflammatory, have less risk of skin irritation or reactions and are naturally occuring.

What SPF rating should I be using?

An SPF 15 sunscreen blocks 93% of UVB rays

SPF 30 blocks 97% of rays

SPF 50 blocks 98% of rays.

 After that, the difference in protection is small. Remember no SPF is 100% coverage.

What is the difference between UVA and UVB rays?

UVA = Aging rays

UVB = Burning rays

This is why you want to look for a broad spectrum sunscreen especially for a vacation and beach use when you will be in the sun more than usual. All the sunscreens we carry are broad spectrum.

How Often SPF be applied?

If driving, outside, going on a walk or by a window for best protection, every 2 hours. Be sure to wear SPF when flying as you are closer to the suns UVA rays.

How much should I use?

With SPF, more is better. For whole body around an ounce. For the face a dime to nickel size depending on the size of your face. Double at least if you are doing your neck and decolette.

Is sunscreen in my makeup enough?

Unfortunately we are often not applying enough makeup to give the true SPF rating if your makeup does have SPF. Does makeup with SPF give a little added coverage? Yes. We recommend applying your SPF before your makeup. If you need to reapply SPF over makeup we recommend Powder Me SPF for easy application. 

If you have oily skin, prefer a matte finish or would like to smooth your pores we recommend Silk Matte or Weightless Protection SPF 30.

For a dewey finish without a tint that blends even for deeper skin tones we recommend Satin Dewey.

If you’d like a light tint to just slightly even your skin tone we have two shades with a dewey finish light and medium.

For the body, these are some products we like. 

Other ways to protect your skin:

Reduce your time outside during the highest burning potential hours which are from 11 AM to 4 PM.

Wear higher neckline tops when outside.

Wear a hat when outside, walking, or at the beach. Recommendations here.

Wear SPF gloves while driving to protect your hands. Recommendations here.

If you have any other SPF questions we can answer for you, please let us know!