Hello my dear friends, a little bit of a different post today. I was planning on writing something totally different, but due to the fabulous weather we have been experiencing and the amount of "Oh but there is SPF in my makeup" and "I never burn" I've been bloody hearing, I felt the need to get a little serious about your skin (but not so serious that you don't enjoy this!) So prepare for a little lecture from Frankie!!! Let’s talk about Sunshine and the effects it is having on your skin! So when you’re outdoors, you see a beautiful blue sky, the sun is shining, lockdown is slowly being lifted and you think.... I want to go out for a bike ride. So you do your usual skin care routine (I hope), put a bit of makeup on and out you go. But did you at any point think, am I wearing SPF? I'm going to say no you didn't, and I know this because I equally suck at this, and only in the last year or so have I become OBSESSED with wearing SPF before putting makeup on. Sunshine: Big ball of gas that sends UV rays onto the earth’s surface. UV rays: AKA Ultra violet Radiation: Skin damaging rays that are naked to the human eye from the sun that ruin our skin, give us dark spots and age the hell out of us. (FACT)
There are two types of UV rays, you have UVA and UVB. 95% of the rays that enter the earth’s surface are UVA, these are still around whether it’s sunny, cloudy or glass. UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin, where as UVB are shorter, burning the surface.
Just to put this into perceptive, Sun factor protection (SPF) 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays. This is the minimum factor that you should be using and you should be using AT LEAST a 1/4 teaspoon on your face to get the promised amount of protection.
So I don’t think I’ve scared (I mean convinced) you enough.
80% of skin damage is caused by UV rays - note I didn't say sunshine, and although you think that it’s obvious you should be using SPF, you really, ideally need to be be using SPF ALL YEAR ROUND.
What I am saying is, you can try and blame lack of sleep, too much wine, stress and bad skin care routines for your skin concerns and aging issues, but the following concerns you see on your skin, is actually caused by UV damage;
-Dark Spots
-Hyperpigmentation
-Scarring remaining from acne
-Wrinkles
-Fine lines
-Scaly rough patches - raised bumpsÂ
-Dry skin
-Itching
-Redness (burn)
-Worsened acne
-Loose skin
-Spider veins
-Blotchy, dull skin, ruddy complexion
Sometimes you can get scaly patches that are called Actinic keratoses (AKs) This is a precancerous skin growth. Sun damage can lead to skin cancer and sometimes AKs can turn into a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma. Not worth it is it? It may be fun to go out in the sun all day and not worry about SPF, and I’m not just talking about your face, really you should be applying it to your whole body, but ten minutes in the sun without protection can age you by years and cause all sorts of damage.
If you want to check yourself out 5 - 25 years from now not using sun protection, or even worse, using sun beds (don't get me started) then go to the app store and download Sun face - UV - Selfie. It's free and actually pretty terrifying.
Hopefully you've taken me seriously now I’ve ranted at you, BUT the great thing is WE CAN REVERSE THIS!
Remember my previous posts, we luckily have access to some fabulous products that can help stop the ageing process and reverse damage already caused;
-Niacinamide
-Retinol
-Vitamin C
-Azelaic Acid
-AHA's
-Microneedling
-Skin Peels
All of these can help, I myself had some sun damage which I managed to get rid of with the wonderful Tracey at House of Beauty Wimborne.
But the truth is, if you aren't using a broad spectrum SPF and protecting your skin from UV rays, it's pointless using these products as you are just fighting a loosing battle.
If you are using the likes of Retinol, or anything that may cause your skin to become sensitive to the sun, then you MUST wear an SPF. So make sure you read your packaging as it will state on it the sun sensitivity etc. So be extra vigilant with sun protection whilst using these. This doesn't mean you can’t go outdoors, in fact moderate sun exposure (using SPF of course) has tonnes of positives such as;
-Increases serotonin hormone productions (Mood boosting)
-Builds strong bones ( Vitamin D)
-Prevention of other types of cancers
-Can help with Psoriasis, Eczema, Jaundice, Acne
-Boosts the immune system
-Better Sleep
-Lowered preterm baby risk
So you don't have to walk around covered from head to toe carrying a sun shield, it just means add some SPF to your skin care routine and build a healthy habit.
REMEMBER.
Consistent. Perseverance. Success. So yes, your makeup may have SPF 15 in it, and most of them do, but there is no harm in adding an extra SPF underneath. A typical morning for me is Salicylic face wash Niacinamide (Vitamin C alternate days)
Moisteriser
SPF
Makeup
Let’s talk decent SPF's for your face, because I have tried a few, and I have either broken out, or I have felt like someone has taken an iron to my cheek bones (if it burns take it off!). I am currently using an SPF that my sister gave me (after winging to her that I kept breaking out from SPF), Superdrug Vitamin E radiance face cream, I have to say it has massively helped my skin. I especially suffer with moisture loss due to being outdoors 8 hours a day (so I DEFINITELY need sun protection). I have to say I was initially skeptical of using it, but my skin is definitely smoother, healthier looking and I haven't broken out. I also haven't had any sensitivity, and this one is filled with all sorts of goodies for your skin. Paula's choice have a fab light weight SPF 30 moisteriser, specifically designed for oily skin, and it is filled with plenty of antioxidants to protect your skin from extra environmental damage. For dryer skin Caudale have a fab SPF 50 designed to help with wrinkles, fine lines (extra moisture) and it’s  also fab for sensitive skin. Even better it’s a non toxic formula and free from the likes of alcohol, silicone's and nasties you wouldn't want in your skin. Now it’s entirely up to you how you incorporate sun protection into your routine, whether this is moisteriser followed by an SPF, or a moisteriser with an SPF included. Pick what’s best for you and start practicing sensible sun and skin protection. UV rays do not discriminate, so regardless of whether you burn or not, if your not using SPF protection, your skin is going to suffer. Head over to www.cultbeauty.com and check out the vast range of facial SPF's available and see what best suits you and your skin. So go and enjoy being outdoors, just remember to protect your skin from UV damage! Don’t let your skin routine go to waste with something as simple as SPF because who doesn't want to look like JLO at 50?! Now go make your skin Extraordinary!
Until next time dolls!
Remember I am not a doctor or a dermatologist, if you have any skin concerns or worries please check in with your doctor! I only recommend products I have used and have benefited from. I am not paid to advertise or promote any business or products.
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