Ice cream, smiley faces and sandcastles -- life's one big holiday when the sun shines. But there is one thing you should never take a vacation from when soaking up the rays and that's a good SPF.
More than 90 percent of women are aware of sun damage, yet 70 percent don't use the right protection for our skin type, IPSOS research reveals, which leads to those tell-tale sun damage signs.
Without an adequate SPF, or sun protection factor, we're putting ourselves at the mercy of wrinkles, patchy hyperpigmentation, age spots and, at worst, skin cancer.
Worryingly, cases of skin cancer are set to treble by 2035 unless behaviour changes, according to The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA).
If you're uncertain about application and confused about which SPF you should be slathering on, then it's time to shed some light.
Fact or Fiction?
1) "Organic sunscreens aren't as safe as standard ones"
FICTION. Organic UV filters can get a bad press because they are sometimes called "chemical sunscreens" but all cosmetic products are required by law to be safe and sunscreens containing organic UV filters are no exception," says Dr Chris Flower of CTPA
2) "Everybody needs SPF15 plus daily to protect against skin cancer"
FACT. "If you have fair skin or have a family history of skin cancer I advise using SPF15 with UVA protection daily, going up to minimum SPF30 in sunny weather," says dermatologist Dr. Nick Lowe. "People with olive or darker skin don't have the same risk of skin cancer so don't need as much protection -- an SPF15 is sufficient. But all skin types will age, so using a daily UVA/UVB screen protects against premature wrinkling and pigmentation caused by year- round sun exposure." 3) "You should always reapply sunscreen after swimming"FACT. "No product is 100 percent waterproof and so this is a term no longer used on sunscreens," explains Mike Brown, Boots Suncare Scientific Advisor. "Conventional water-resistant products need to be reapplied immediately after swimming but the new generation of extended wear products are designed to last longer and allow a longer period of time before reapplication." 4) "I only need to wear suncare when it's actually sunny" FICTION. "Even if exposure is limited to brief outdoor lunches or a 20 minute walk, cumulative exposure can to cause the signs of skin aging," warns Sally Penford, of The International Dermal Institute. Even on cloudy or overcast days, UV light can strike skin and cause damage. Look for an SPF moisturizer that can be worn comfortably under make-up to deliver defense against skin aging UV light."
5) "Hair requires protection as well as skin" FACT. "Sun breaks down the protein structure of the hair and also draws moisture from the hair cells," explains trichologist Philip Kingsley. "Use a lightweight smoothing emulsion to protects while giving the hair with the moisture that it loses during summer." 6) "The sun helps clear up sensitive skin" FICTION. "A bit of sun helps clear up eczema and psoriasis temporarily but when the skin is red or inflamed it's not a good idea and can aggravate the condition further," says Joelle Nonni, of Eau Thermale Avene. "Use a spray when choosing suncare for the body -- it's easier to apply and doesn't require as much friction on sensitive skin."
