The Soothe guide to SPF, sunblock and sunscreen
Protect your face from sun damage, no matter what the weather, with these year-round skin-savers
Text: Anna A
SPF, or Sun Protection Factor, is a measure of how well a sunscreen lotion protects your skin from UV rays. Too much sun can cause sunburn, skin damage and can contribute towards skin cancer. All over the world, no matter whether you’re in a hot country or cold, we experience UV rays daily no matter what the weather.
How does SPF work?
The sun emits ultraviolet radiation made up of two different types of rays — UVB and UVB. These UV rays are made up of different wavelengths and cause our skin various evils from the sun. UVB is a medium energy level and included within approximately 5% of the sun’s UV rays. UVB affects the cells on the top layer of your skin, causing blistering, delayed tanning and is a catalyst of skin cancer and premature ageing.
At 95% of the sun’s UV rays, UVA is the lowest energy level, causing immediate tanning or sunburn, as well as wrinkles, premature ageing, hyperpigmentation (dark spots) and some skin cancers. UVA rays can also penetrate through glass, meaning it is vital to protect your skin whilst working from home.
Dr Alexis Granite, Kiehl’s UKI Consulting Dermatologist backs this up: “We should all continue to wear SPF even when mostly indoors, not only to maintain the habit but also because UVA rays have the ability to penetrate through windows. I am hearing many patients are also experiencing blemishes.”
Why do you need a high SPF?
The SPF number relates to the amount of protection the suncream provides. It’s a measure for how long it would take for your skin to feel the effects and burn from the UV rays. For instance, SPF 50 would effectively take 50 times longer to burn you if you weren’t wearing sunscreen. Consultant Dermatologist Dr Stephanie Ho, of Stephanie Ho Dermatology explains that “the higher the SPF, the greater the protection.” She continues ,“instead of focusing on a high SPF, applying sunscreen liberally and re-applying every two hours is key to adequate sun protection”.
The Soothe investigates our favourite brands.
Image credit: Kiehl’s
1. Kiehl’s Ultra-Light Daily UV Defense SPF 50 PA++++ | SGD 56 for 30ml, SGD 89 for 60ml
Dubbed the ‘Finest Apothecary in town’, Kiehl’s is an authority when it comes to skincare. Established in NYC in 1851, it’s a global company that has become one of the most iconic brands with a variety of stand-out products. As my personal favourite, this hydrates and protects your skin with broad spectrum protection, both from UVA and UVB rays, and offers pollution protection to help defend skin from free-radical damage. It is non-comedogenic (so it doesn’t clog your pores) and provides fast-absorbing hydration. My tip is that it also makes a great primer so you can apply your make-up on top of it. Kiehl’s non-comedogenic Ultra-Light Daily UV Defense Aqua Gel SPF 50 is a great choice for a more lightweight protection.
2. Supergoop Glowscreen Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Primer SPF 40 PA+++ | SGD 26 for 15ml, SGD 55 for 50ml
Another lightweight option, Supergoop provides a make-up gripping primer with SPF and protection against blue light, which we’re all getting a lot of. It gives you a smooth, dewy finish, and the size is perfect for your handbag. A hydrating serum, Supergoop includes a boost of hydration through blending hyaluronic acid (which holds up to 1000x its weight in moisture), and Vitamin B5 so your skin glows naturally.
3. Josh Rosebrook’s Nutrient Day Cream SPF 30 | SGD 82
This broad-spectrum day cream doubles up as a regenerating moisturiser as well as a sunscreen. It includes a combination of herbal actives and plant oils to protect and hydrate your skin. Made from a combination of anti-inflammatories, antioxidants, fatty acids and phytonutrients, this day cream is a winner when it comes to skin-damaging UV rays. It also firms the skin and reduces reddy tones — ideal as an extra precaution against Asian flush.
Image credit: The Ordinary
4. The Ordinary Mineral UV Filters SPF 30 with Antioxidants | SGD 16.50
Having recently launched in Singapore, The Ordinary is taking the beauty world by storm. This powerful mineral-based sunscreen is a crowd favourite, including non-nano Zinc Oxide to protect your face from UV rays, combined with active Antioxidants that help to beat radical damage. Mineral formulas are often recommended for sensitive or blemish-prone skin types. Dr Stephanie Ho tells us that for those with “For sensitive skin, look for sunblocks with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide as they are less likely to cause an allergy.”
