The Skin Nerd: How to choose the perfect SPF

With the right SPF you reap the rewards — now and in the future

We are more than willing to invest in pricey spa treatments and would never be without that must-have lip oil, but daily sunscreen is given little thought by some, with many still skipping this vital step.

Sometimes skincare buying behaviour just doesn’t add up.

We are more than willing to invest in pricey spa treatments and would never be without that must-have lip oil, but daily sunscreen is given little thought by some, with many still skipping this vital step. 

Whilst I love a splurge, spending money on luxe treatments doesn’t make beauty maths when you are exposing your unprotected skin to UV damage daily.

According to research, 63% of Gen Z don’t wear SPF daily. Despite this worrying statistic, many of us still appear to be looking for sun protection, with Google Trends reporting a 100% rise in searches for ‘new SPF’. 

If you are struggling to find the one, see below for a super-handy guide to narrowing down from the masses and finding a sunscreen that makes you want to apply it – and reapply it – everyday!

Step 1: Look for an SPF that complements your skin type

You are more inclined to top up an SPF that works with your skin type rather than against it.

I suggest that oily skin types choose an SPF that’s non-comedogenic, which means that it shouldn’t clog pores, with an oil-free formulation. You could even opt for one with a mattifying finish to continue the shine-free theme!

There are also plenty of options available for those with sensitive skin. While a few SPFs of the past might have been irritating to reactive skin types, formulations have come a long way and have a much lower irritant potential. Look for formulations that are suitable for sensitive skin types or even an SPF for children, because they’re less likely to contain ingredients that could irritate the skin, such as fragrances.

Step 2: Consider texture

The shops are packed with different SPF formats including creams, powders, sprays and sticks. Choose an SPF texture that suits your skin and favoured re-application technique.

Step 3: Find one with broad-spectrum protection

Look for a sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum protection. This means that it will shield your skin from UVA (ultraviolet ageing) rays and UVB (ultraviolet burning) rays. UVA rays contribute 95% of the radiation that reaches the Earth’s surface and have the potential to penetrate through glass, clouds and fog – hence the reason why you should apply your SPF every day of the year, even on those days that you don’t leave the house! UVA rays are responsible for making our skin tan, but the darkening of our skin is actually a result of damage, whilst UVB rays are the reason our skin gets burnt in the sunshine.

Both UVA and UVB rays play a part in damaging the DNA of healthy skin cells, which can lead to accelerated ageing. You may see signs of this in the form of dark spots, fine lines and wrinkles, and loss of elasticity.

The rays can also cause skin mutations, which can lead to skin lesions.

Step 4: Choose SPF30+

I would always advise choosing a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 – but preferably 50 for major skin kudos.

Research has shown that an SPF 30 sunscreen will protect your skin from 97% of the sun’s UVB rays, while an SPF 50 sunscreen will shield your skin from 98% of UVB rays. Whilst that doesn’t sound like a great deal of difference, that added 1% of protection an SPF 50 product provides over a prolonged period can make a significant impact on your skin health.

Pro picks

• The all-rounder... Skingredients Skin Shield Moisturising + Priming SPF50 PA+++
• For gym bunnies... Dermalogica Protection SPF50 Sport (dermaologica.com)
• For the little ones... Avène Very High Protection Lotion for Children SPF50+ (€19.40, theskinnerd.com, boots.ie)
• For makeup wearers... Garnier Ambre Solaire Over Makeup Super UV Protection Mist SPF50 (€10.45, lookfantastic.ie, boots.ie)
• For mature skin... SkinCeuticals Ultra Facial UV Defense SPF50 Sunscreen Protection (€41.95, lookfantastic.ie)

Today vs payday... Skin smoothers

• Today: Aveeno Skin Renewal Smoothing Cream (€16.99, pharmacies and grocery retailers nationwide.) Going through a bumpy patch? This budget-friendly hydrator contains polyhydroxy acid to gently exfoliate away rough patches whilst rebalancing lost moisture levels for smooth, plump skin!
  
• Payday: NeoStrata Lotion Plus Body Lotion (€34.95, theskinnerd.com, neostrata.ie). Containing glycolic acid – an exfoliating alpha hydroxy acid – this luxurious lotion is formulated to smooth dry, rough skin patches, enhance clarity and improve the appearance of fine lines associated with photodamage.