All you need to know about Sunscreens
Here we answer some of the frequently asked questions about sunscreens and sun protection. If you aren't sure what you need or which sunscreen to choose, take a look at the advice below.
Should I wear sunscreen every day?
The short answer is yes, you should wear sunscreen every day. Sunscreen helps protect your skin from premature ageing, skin cancer and sunburn. Some moisturisers also have SPF in their formula, so you can get sun protection for your face and body automatically when you apply your usual skincare products. When swimming, apply sunscreen every time you get out of the water.
What happens if you don't use sunscreen?
If you don't use sunscreen, UV rays can cause skin damage and will prematurely age your skin by damaging the collagen and connective tissue of your skin. Without sunscreen, you can get skin damage and will also be at a greater risk of developing skin cancer. Sun protection is important even if you are inside near windows, as the sun's damaging rays can pass through glass.
How Long Does Sunscreen Last?
Sunscreen can last for up to 3 years from the manufacturing date. However, this only applies if the sunscreen is unopened and stored properly to avoid degradation. Sunscreen only lasts up to 12 months once opened, according to most sunscreen manufacturers.
You can check the manufacturing date and Period After Opening (PAO) date or expiry date on the bottle and packaging to ensure your sunscreen hasn't gone off.
If you aren't sure when you opened your sunscreen, look for the following signs it has broken down:
- Texture changes – sunscreen becomes watery and separates as it breaks down.
- Discoloration – most sunscreens are white or cream when fresh, and take on a yellow or brown hue when they go off.
- Strange scent – an unusual or strong odour can be a sign your sunscreen has degraded.
Light, heat and air will all degrade your sunscreen, making the UV filters ineffective. Store in a cool, dry place away from sunlight and heat sources – this includes not keeping sunscreen in hot cars, in bags left in the sun, or near windows inside – as this will speed up breakdown.
How Often Should You Reapply Sunscreen?
Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours if you are outdoors. Sweat, water and towel drying will reduce the effectiveness of sunscreen on your skin.
You should reapply sunscreen immediately after swimming (and drying off), even if using a water-resistant sunscreen. Water-resistant sunscreens typically offer only protection for 40-80 minutes while swimming or sweating.
If you are indoor and away from windows, you do not need to reapply sunscreen as often. If you are indoors but near a window, be aware that UV rays can penetrate glass and reapply regularly.
What is the best sunscreen?
The best sunscreen to choose is one that protects your skin as much as possible from the sun's rays. Specifically, when selecting your sunscreen, you should look for one labelled 'broad spectrum', as this will protect you from UVB and UVA rays. UVB rays often cause sunburn, while UVA rays damage your skin cells and prematurely age them, which can lead to skin cancer.
What factor sunscreen should I use?
Ideally, you should use SPF50. You should choose a high SPF as this determines the amount of UVB light that your sunscreen prevents from passing through. You should always choose an SPF of at least 30, which should generally block out around 97% of UVB rays. If you are going to be exposed to the sun all day long, select a sunscreen with an even higher SPF like a factor 50. Remember that no sunscreen can block 100% of the sun's rays.