If like us, you’re currently missing out on your European summer dreams while seemingly half of the country is in Positano, bestie, we feel you! But hey, don't let that winter temp stop you from enjoying the sun – safely, of course. Did you know that exposure to the sun is the major cause of wrinkles? If you want the world’s best anti-ageing tip that your future self will thank you for, it’s to wear sunscreen every single day of your life. The reason we say this, is that sunscreen is one crucial skincare step that's often overlooked in winter. The problem though, is that the winter sun is deceptive. While it may not feel like the hot sun’s burning you and doing damage, all those UVA and UVB rays are still, in fact, doing damage to your skin. The key to adopting sunscreen year round is to find one you enjoy using under your makeup. One that’s not cloggy, not gluggy, and definitely has no white cast. And if you’re one of the lucky ones currently sitting on some fabulous beach in the Greek Islands, we hope you’ve got your SPF50+ on! Let’s explore why sunscreen is an absolute essential in your skincare routine. So grab your shades, and let's dive in!
Why is sunscreen important?
When it comes to skincare, sunscreen takes centre stage. Protecting your skin from the sun's harmful rays is not just a beauty trend; it's a health necessity. Not only do we want to protect our beautiful skin from skin cancer and melanoma, but sun damage is actually one of the biggest causes of fine lines and wrinkles. That's why incorporating sunscreen into your daily skincare routine is crucial – and the best possible anti-ageing tip we could give you.
When to apply sunscreen in your skincare routine:
Now, let's get down to the detail of incorporating sunscreen effectively. The golden rule is to apply sunscreen as the final step of your skincare routine. After cleansing, applying your serums, and moisturising, it's time to lock in that layer of protection. Make it a habit to apply sunscreen every. single. day, rain, hail, or shine, to shield your skin from the sun's harmful effects.
How to apply sunscreen in your skincare routine:
Alright, now that we've covered when to apply sunscreen, let's talk about the how. A general rule of thumb is the ‘two finger rule’. Start by applying two lines of sunscreen directly to your index and middle fingers. Begin from the base of your fingers and glide the product all the way to the very tips. Once your fingers are prepped, gently apply the sunscreen to your face and neck. Don't forget those often-neglected areas like your ears, the back of your neck, and your hands! And remember, the secret to ultimate protection lies in reapplication. Aim to reapply sunscreen every two hours, especially if you're outdoors and sweating or swimming (especially when towelling is involved).
Where does sunscreen go in your skincare routine?
You might be wondering, "Where does sunscreen fit in my skincare routine?" Well, it's the last hero in line! After cleansing away impurities, nourishing with serums, and moisturising to keep your skin hydrated, sunscreen swoops in to provide that much-needed shield against harmful UV rays. It's like a superhero cape for your skin!
How to incorporate sunscreen into your skincare routine:
Let's talk about how to seamlessly incorporate sunscreen into your skincare routine. Especially if you’re new to this! Start by selecting a sunscreen that suits your skin type, plus one that you actually enjoy using, as it will make you that much more likely to stick with it. When it comes to acne-prone skin, a lot of us are scared that sunscreen is going to break us out. We all remember the thick, white, goopy sunscreen our parents used to force us to apply at the beach when we were younger. The great news is that sunscreen has come a looooong way, baby. We now have options on the market that are breakout friendly, oil-free and glide on smoothly. There’s really only one product that you’ll need, and it’s our skin shady SPF50+ – it’s suited to oily, breakout-prone skin, it's non-greasy, doesn't leave a white cast, and sits amazingly well underneath makeup. So no more excuses not to wear sunscreen because it ‘doesn’t agree with your breakout prone skin’. skin shady SPF50+ is the answer to your problems, and – shameless plug – it was even named the best SPF for acne prone skin by the Sydney Morning Herald here.
Creating a Skincare Routine with Sunscreen:
To truly reap the benefits of sunscreen, it's essential to pair it with a full skincare routine that slays.
Step 1: Cleansing
The first step in any skincare routine is cleansing. For acne-prone skin, we would, of course, suggest our anti-bacterial cleanser.
For more info on how to properly cleanse your skin, read here.
Step 2: Spot treatment (only in the PM)
After cleansing, take the acne hack spot treatment and apply it to any breakouts you may be experiencing. Let the product sit on the skin for 5 minutes, allowing it to soak in properly, before applying any other products over top.
Step 3: Moisturising
Moisturising is essential for all skin types, including acne-prone skin. Look for a lightweight, simple daily moisturiser that won’t cause breakouts – we’d suggest our thirst trap moisturiser. It hydrates with glycerin, pentavitin, sodium PCA and genencare and also provides barrier support with pentavitin, amino acids, squalane, apricot kernel oil, jojoba esters, olive oil and vitamin E.
Step 4: Sun protection
Last but definitely not least, if it wasn’t already front page news, SPF! When looking for a sunscreen for acne-prone skin, a hot tip is to look for one that is oil-free *cough* skin shady *cough*. This helps to avoid clogging up your pores. Apply a minimum of a quarter of a teaspoon of skin shady SPF 50+ to your fingertips and gently massage it onto your skin.
So there you have it. A reminder that sunscreen isn't just a passing trend, either; it's an absolute must in your skincare routine. So there’s never been a better time to find one you like and stick to it. By making sure you’re applying and reapplying your sunscreen every day and making it an essential part of your daily ritual, you'll be protecting your skin from the harmful effects of UV radiation and have youthful skin for years to come!
