It’s never too early (or too late) to start wearing a high SPF
Legions of new, stateof-the-art sun spot treatments are hitting shop shelves right now. And yet, still, Britons — especially older Brits — are doing little to prevent them.
new figures reveal that only a fifth of us apply sPF daily, and a third of those are using less than factor 30. Remarkably, one in seven never applies sunscreen and just over half only bother when it’s obviously sunny.
This is short-sighted as the sun emits harmful rays all year, even on cloudy and rainy days. Just because the sun is not blazing above you does not mean you can abandon all sun protection. We know this and yet it’s still a long way down the beauty hit list for too many.
And the older we are, the worse our habits: 60 per cent of those aged 45-54 are only using sPF when the sun is shining. small wonder, then, that while melanoma skin cancer rates have dropped among younger age groups since the early 1990s, they have shot up for the older generation.
if you are in your 50s, this is by as much as 102 per cent. And why is it that so many of us are still actively seeking a real tan? i’ve said it before, and i’ll say it again: there is no point throwing money at skin-bolstering potions, if you’re not taking the one measure available to us to prevent premature ageing.
Kimberley Medd of retailer Face the Future, which commissioned the survey in collaboration with Yougov, says: ‘sun damage is never “done”, but continues as we age, if we’re not properly protecting our skin with high sPF every day. it’s never too late to start wearing sPF. it gives your skin the chance to repair itself, and stops adding more cumulative UV damage, which ultimately lessens your risk of skin cancer.’
inspired by its findings, Face the Future is removing VAT from all its sun protection products until May 31. its aim: that we start using high sPF all year round, whatever the weather.
superdrug also doesn’t make this 20 pc charge on its ownbrand sunscreen, solait, in support of the VAT Burn campaign (melanomafocus.org/vat-burn/) because it believes sPF should be deemed a healthcare essential, not a beauty product.
Whichever brand you choose, you need to make sure you’re applying it properly. only 8 pc of us who use decent-strength sPF bother to re-apply during the day — and even i’m guilty of this, bar the odd spritz.
i do start the day with a good dollop spread across my face, as my moisture base, then wait five-toten minutes for it to sink in before applying make-up.
Yes, it requires patienc. still, sPFs have become so advanced, so brilliant, tailored to skin-type, that i look forward to testing every new example that crosses my desk.
My recent favourites include Mecca Cosmetica’s new To save Face sPF50+ Brightening sun serum (£38, meccacosmetica. com) a shield enhanced by 3pc niacinamide to smooth lines and hydrate, while light-reflecting pearls melt into the skin for a radiant gleam.
While Thank you, Farmer sun Project silky Calming sun stick sPF50+ (now £18.40, FacetheFuture.co.uk) is the in-your-pocket refresh we all need.
sustainable, chemical-avoidant firm Jurlique’s new UV Defence sPF 50+ (£40, jurlique.co.uk) has been years in the making.
Finally, a natural sunscreen to delight those of us who also want to look good. it’s packed with aloe vera extract and glycerin to keep skin glowingly hydrated and refreshed. However, if your reaction is: ‘£40 – i think not’, go for garnier’s excellent Ambre solaire Anti-Age super UV Protection Cream sPF50 (£9.99, superdrug.com). every home should have some.