Ah, sunshine, you old friend☀️ We almost forgot how it felt to have your warmth shine down on us. You truly are an instant mood-booster. It's just too bad that we were designed to be incompatible. Seriously, the cons totally outweigh the pros of our friendship. And although we're welcoming you back to Canada with arms wide open, we'll be keeping our distance while following the necessary skincare protocols. It's not you - well okay yes, it's all you and here's why.
By this point, it's old news that overexposure of the sun can lead to increased chances of skin cancer, premature ageing as well as unsightly and painful burns. But what if we told you that even the most limited amount of sun exposure can still cause these consequences. Look, we love the sun just as much as the next Vitamin D-deprived Canadian but only when we're protected by our SPF 30. So let's shine some light onto a few key suncare FAQ's (pun intended).
FAQ #1: Will any sunscreen protect me from both UVA and UVB rays?
Firstly, it's important to understand the difference between these two ultraviolet rays. In one corner, you're up against UVA rays which reach deep beneath the skin on a cellular level, causing premature signs of ageing such as wrinkling and sagging. In the other corner, you've got UVB or the surface-burning ray, which is the principal offender of those painful sunburns
Both UV rays can increase your chances of developing skin cancer so when choosing a sunscreen, it is important to choose a broad spectrum lotion as it will protect against both UVA & UVB rays. In conjunction with your SPF, it is always recommended to take additional precautions while in the sun, like wearing protective clothing/accessories (aka. a new reason to go shopping) and lounging in shady areas.
FAQ #2: If I barely get any sunshine during the day, is daily SPF still necessary?
Yes, yes and yes. We cannot stress enough how important daily sunscreen application is, regardless of how much sun you think you are exposed to. UV rays don't discriminate and are really hard to stop from reaching your skin. Driving a car? You're exposed to UVA rays via your windows. Walking from your office to the bus stop? Also exposed. Is your desk near a window? Exposed. Just because you're indoors doesn't mean you're not exposed to the sun's rays. And yes, this 100% applies to cloudy and rainy days when you think the sun is hiding - UVA rays can penetrate through glass and clouds!
FAQ #3: I've heard that anything labelled SPF 50 or higher is useless. Is that true?
False. The higher the SPF or Sun Protection Factor, the more coverage you'll have, mainly against UVB rays. That's why we always recommend an SPF 30 or higher, especially if you're a retinoid or AHA lover as these ingredients cause your skin to become more sensitive to the sun's rays. Remember to always apply a generous layer of sunscreen in the AM right after cleansing and before moisturizing.
It is also super important to note that reapplication of your sunscreen every two hours or so (especially if you're a the beach) applies to all SPF levels. If you're afraid of ruining your makeup, look for a translucent powder with SPF. You can throw it in your bag and reapply throughout the day without smudging that winged liner.
FAQ #4: Time to dust off the sunscreen bottle I picked up on my trip to Jamaica in 2015. SPF doesn't expire, right?
🙅♀️ Generally, all skincare products have a shelf-life and that extends to your sunscreen. The average lifespan of sunscreen may be up to 3 years from manufacturing so always check the expiration date on your bottle. If you've noticed that your sunscreen texture has started to change (oily and/or clumpy) even before its expiration date, it's probably because the ingredients in the lotion have begun to separate and expire. Time to grab a new bottle and protect the goods!