It matters what’s in your SPF
If you haven’t already started incorporating SPF into your everyday skincare routine, then you’re about to. It’s a misconception that slathering on the SPF during summer is the only time for it. But we should actually be wearing SPF every day. In recent years I’ll be honest and say I never put in the effort to apply my sunscreen before starting my day but I also didn’t give it much thought and factor in why it’s so important and it matters what’s in your SPF. From protecting your skin from damaging rays, to strengthening your skin barrier, let this be your sign to start wearing SPF everyday.
Firstly, I wanted to highlight the benefits of wearing SPF:
Reduces the signs of ageing - UVA rays from the sun can damage the skin and make it more prone to signs of ageing like wrinkles and age spots. Your skincare routine might be perfect but it’s essentially being undone if you don’t wear an SPF during the day to protect your skin and slow down the signs of ageing.
Stronger protection than moisturiser - SPF offers more protection than your favourite foundations and moisturisers that have an SPF content. You’ll spot some of them are labelled ‘contains SPF’. But this SPF content is watered down by the rest of the product, so it’s a lot less effective and provides nowhere near as much protection as you need.
Sheilds against hyperpigmentation - Hyperpigmentation can be caused by acne, melanin build-up, and sun damage – this often shows as purple, red, or darker marks on the skin. Sun damage can cause pigmentation and make it much worse, so if you’re looking to fade or treat your hyperpigmentation, then SPF is even more of a must. Your skin reacts to damage from the sun by producing more melanin, which causes pigmentation, so skipping the SPF is counterproductive. By wearing SPF, it does the protecting for you, so your skin won’t have to kick into overdrive and produce the melanin that causes pigmentation.
Strengthens your skin barrier - Sun damage stresses out the skin barrier, and a stressed skin barrier isn’t healthy. A healthy skin barrier function is down to multiple different factors, like hydration, using the right skincare ingredients, and not using too many aggressive formulas. But protecting your skin against UV rays also has a big part to play. With a weakened skin barrier, your skin is much more likely to feel the effects of sun damage, which can lead to pigmentation.
In saying this, the journey to finding the perfect sunscreen isn't just about the SPF number on the bottle. Here are the top five ingredients to avoid in sunscreen and why they should be omitted from your daily skincare routine.
Oxybenzone - known to penetrate the skin, and it has been linked to hormone disruption and allergic skin reactions. Prolonged use may have adverse effects on the endocrine system.
Octinoxate (Octyl Methoxycinnamate) - Octinoxate can cause skin irritation and allergies. It has also been shown to disrupt the endocrine system, affecting hormonal balance when used regularly.
Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A Palmitate) - While vitamin A itself is beneficial, when exposed to sunlight, retinyl palmitate can break down into harmful compounds that may contribute to skin cancer and accelerate the ageing process.
How to choose a safe sunscreen:
Choose Physical Blockers - Look for sunscreens containing Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide. These minerals act as physical barriers to UV radiation, reflecting it away from the skin, rather than absorbing it. They are less likely to cause skin irritation or hormonal disruption and are considered safe for coral reefs and aquatic life.
Broad Spectrum Protection - Ensure the sunscreen offers broad spectrum protection, which shields skin from both UVA rays. UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin and contribute to premature aging.
SPF Value - Choose a sunscreen with an appropriate Sun Protection Factor (SPF). An SPF of 30 or higher is generally recommended.
Sensitive Skin Considerations - If you have sensitive skin, look for sunscreens that are fragrance free, hypoallergenic, and formulated for sensitive skin. These products are less likely to contain irritating ingredients.
I love supporting Australian brands and have been using Mother SPF everyday. Whether it’s the universal SPF 50 or paired with the Mother of Pearl to create a dewy glow for the day ahead. What separates Mother SPF from other brands is the ingredients are safe, offers non comedogenic botanicals and non nano in nature which won’t penetrate your skin barrier or harm marine life wildlife / coral reefs.
