What is SPF, and how do I protect myself from the sun?

Everyone knows the abbreviation SPF, but we’re not always sure which products to choose or use for sun protection on our skin. What actually is SPF? How much sunscreen do I need to use on my body? Should I use a cream with SPF if it’s already there in my makeup? Let’s look at everything you could possibly want to know about SPF. 

What does SPF mean?

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. In layman’s terms, it is a scale that tells you how long you can spend in the sun safely. If you know that you burn in 10 minutes without using a sunscreen, multiply this number by the product’s SPF number. For example: for a sunscreen with SPF 15, multiply it by 10. 

This will give you 150 minutes. So this should be the amount of time you’re protected for. The midday sun is at its strongest in the summer months, so you have to bear in mind how cloudy it is and the amount of cream you use. Don’t forget to protect yourself from the sun even indoors, in the car, or near windows. It may sound hard to believe, but UVA rays pass through glass windows, and cause skin ageing. 

What’s the difference between SPF 30 and SPF 50?

A factor 10 product protects against 90% of UVB, a factor 30 filters out 97% of the radiation, and a factor 50 product 98% of UVB radiation. So you need to take into account what your skin needs when choosing a suitable product. For instance, it is safer to use SPF 50 on skin with strong pigmentation. 

And one more thing: there can be a big difference in consistency between SPF 30 and SPF 50, especially among different brands. This applies especially to mineral sunscreens, which tend to be heavier. However, there are brands that have overcome this through technology. 

Safe tanning 

According to the latest research, daily use of sun protection guarantees younger-looking skin. The key is to know what type of skin you have, what it needs and how it reacts. Most of us already know if our skin tolerates the sun well or if it is sensitive and turns red quickly. This rapid reddening is evidence of the moment your skin cries out, “Protect me!” 

Give your skin time. You may tan more slowly with a higher SPF, but it will be more permanent. The times when we would spend ages in the sun with no sunscreen on “for a quicker tan” are fortunately long gone. Now we know a lot more about sun protection and the risks that sunbathing brings. 

There was a time when we didn’t ascribe such importance to sun protection, and skin cancer was a relatively unknown term. Irresponsible sunbathing without protection can indeed lead to this type of cancer, and its occurrence has increased markedly in recent years. Inspecting your birthmarks and moles each year is one form of prevention. 

What is melanin and what role does it play?

Melanin is a pigment that’s found in the skin, hair, iris and retina, and it protects the skin from light damage, i.e. UV radiation. Its production in the body is supported by, amongst other things, green plants, so don’t hesitate to add salads, broccoli and green vegetable drinks to your diet in the summer. 

The very first sunscreen? Let’s go to a glacier!

The SPF phenomenon was developed by a young Swiss chemist. In 1938, he got sunburn in the mountains, and this was the basis of his decision to invent a sunscreen. In 1944, his colleague used a specific type of petroleum jelly on soldiers’ skin as a physical barrier against the sun. They put their heads together and created the first protective cream. It was made up of petroleum jelly, cocoa butter and coconut oil and was called “Gletcher Creme” – in other words, a glacier cream. 

How do we differentiate UV filters?

• UVA – A is short for ageing. It causes skin ageing, pigmentation and sun allergies. Even if you can’t see the sun, it still has the same effect, even when it’s cloudy.
• UVB – B is short for burning. It is responsible for burning or tanning your skin.

Some brands also offer modern ingredients alongside the classic UV filters, which strengthen the level of sun protection. Modern sunscreens for the face also contain active ingredients such as niacinamide, vitamins and hyaluronic acid. Manufacturers are well aware that sunscreens are becoming part of our daily skincare routine. 

How does the sun affect our skin?

One of the consequences is skin ageing. Collagen and elastin fibres lose their elasticity. They are weakened, and the skin then looks older. Another unpleasant result is sun intolerance. Itchy rashes, redness or burning, which plenty of us have experienced. Pigmentation, which is another result of excessive sun exposure, is also difficult to resolve.

Do you know how much sunscreen to apply?

It may surprise you as much as it did me, but we need an amount the size of a golf ball for our entire body. For your face, you need three fingers full. And don’t forget your ears, which burn easily. The skin there is very sensitive and is often exposed.

Using SPF during the day should therefore become a normal part of your everyday skincare routine. We should include a cream with SPF at the end of our morning ritual. This means that you should apply a sun protection cream over your day cream. There is a wide choice of creams available, so finding the best consistency is not usually an issue. The lighter the consistency, the more pleasant it will feel to layer your skin products.

Is it not enough to use a day cream with SPF?

Your day cream may contain some sun protection, but it can’t fully replace a sunscreen. It doesn’t provide all-day protection (but not even an SPF 50 sunscreen would be enough for the entire day). Especially if we’re spending time outdoors and are exposed to strong sunshine. In these situations, it’s a good idea to reapply the SPF. 

How do I go about it?

Reapplying SPF sounds complicated, but it’s not rocket science. Obviously you don’t need to take your makeup off and apply everything again. For example, you could simply use spray products. During the day I keep the Anthelios refreshing anti-shine face spray with SPF 50 in my handbag, and it goes over my makeup easily when I need it.

If we’re by the water, we can use tinted protective creams. They can partially replace foundation and provide the perfect protection. They are usually also water-resistant, but you should still bear in mind that water can wash away some of that protection. In cases such as this, reapply your tinted SPF cream – over the original layer is fine. Don’t forget that if using a towel, the rubbing motion can also impede the protection level.

SPF and children

Don’t expose babies to the sun – their skin is not yet able to protect itself. It is sensitive, burns easy, and overheats. Protect children from the sun primarily with suitable clothing; if playing outside or in the water, using the highest level of protection is ideal. Do you go out with your children a lot? Keep a small container of sunscreen for their faces on you at all times.