All about SPF: When to use sunscreen?

Do you use SPF? We love enjoying the sun too. In the long run, sun exposure is the main cause of skin aging and premature signs of aging. We hate it too.

Fortunately, there is skincare with SPF (Sun Protection Factor) , or: sunscreen specifically for the face.

Nothing makes us happier than sunshine on our faces, but unfortunately, every beloved ray of sunshine is harmful to our skin. In the long run, the sun is the main cause of skin aging and premature signs of aging. We hate it too.

Fortunately, there's skincare with SPF (Sun Protection Factor) , or sunscreen specifically designed for the face. Applying sunscreen daily is essential to protect your skin from harmful UV rays that cause fine lines, brown spots, wrinkles, and a dull complexion. In this blog post, we'll teach you everything we can about SPF in your skincare routine, so you know how to protect your skin.

First of all: when is it necessary to apply sunscreen? We can be very brief about that: it's best to use SPF every day. In the dead of winter and in the dead of summer. UV rays affect your skin 365 days a year. Even on a gray, rainy day with not a single ray of sunshine, the rays penetrate the clouds. This means we are exposed year-round to radiation that causes skin aging, pigment spots, sagging skin, and wrinkles. If you want to keep your skin optimally healthy and radiant, it's crucial to apply SPF every day of the year.

Have we convinced you to use SPF every day? We hope so! Now the question remains: in what order should you apply the products in your routine? Do you apply the SPF over or under your day cream? We can answer that briefly: it's best to apply your day cream first, let it absorb thoroughly, and then apply your sunscreen. After cleansing your face, apply your day cream first so the active ingredients can work better. After applying your day cream and sunscreen and letting them absorb, you can (optionally) start with your makeup. It's a little extra step in your routine, but the results are more than worth it in the long run.

Want to learn more about the correct order of your skincare routine? Read this blog post.

You might be wondering if your sunscreen is also sufficient as a day cream. We understand, because it saves time. However, using only sunscreen as a day cream is not recommended, because your skin desperately needs the active ingredients in a day cream. What does suffice as a daily product is a day cream with SPF. This product offers the best of both worlds: the hydration of a day cream and the protection of a sunscreen. If you're planning on spending a day in the sun, it's wiser to apply a separate sunscreen several times to supplement your day cream, but a day cream with SPF is perfectly suitable for your daily skincare routine.

If you don't have extremely fair skin, daily use of an SPF 15 or 30 is often sufficient. You can also continue to apply SPF 15 or 30 sunscreen in the summer, but in that case, you'll want to reapply it more often.

As we mentioned above: on a "normal" day when you don't spend an excessive amount of time in the sun, a day cream with SPF is sufficient, or it's fine to apply a layer of sunscreen in the morning after your day cream. In your everyday routine, applying it once a day is enough. However, if you plan on spending a lot of time in the sun, your skin prefers you to apply it more often. Sunscreen isn't generally suitable for all-day use. To reach the SPF indicated on the packaging, you need to reapply it every two hours. The effectiveness of the filters diminishes after application. How quickly the protection diminishes depends on the SPF, but also on your skin and, for example, the strength of the sun. If you spend a lot of time in the sun in the summer, it's therefore recommended to use a separate sunscreen. Otherwise, you'll be constantly reapplying your moisturizer with a high concentration of active ingredients, which will quickly deplete your valuable product.

We have the best day creams with SPF for every skin type in our range. Find your perfect moisturizer with SPF on our website, so you can enjoy the sun while protecting yourself from harmful rays. Just in time for long summer days at the beach or on the patio. Not sure which SPF product is best for your skin type? Chat with our skin specialist Lisa, she's happy to help.

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