Sssh, I dont want to say it too loudly, but the sun is out and fingers crossed it will stay for a while. Being in the UK, we often overlook the importance of taking care of our skin in the sunshine, but even on cloudy days, it is so important to protect our skin from the suns rays.
Knowing The Basics
UVA is the longest wavelength of the sun and penetrates the deepest layer of the skin, known as the dermis. UVA damage can promote skin ageing. UVB penetrates the upper layer of the epidermis and can cause sunburn, skin cancers and allergic reactions. UVC are filtered by the ozone layer, however they are the most damaging rays. Infra-red is the heat from the sun and can impact the collagen, elasticity of your skin and your immune system.
Lips
The skin on our lips is very delicate and should be treated accordingly. A lip balm with an SPF is an absolute must. A lip balm will keep your lips supple all day which is great for applying lipstick and the SPF will protect your lips from becoming chapped and burned.
Head
The hair on our head can provide a reasonable amount of shade from the sun, however, pay attention to the hairline and the part. These areas have no protection from the sun and need a little extra help. Using a sunsreen spray is a great idea to protect against the UVA/UVB rays. If you have fine hair, use a little dry shampoo also as it can weigh down your hair and make it feel a little dirty.
Skin
It goes without saying, but really, we should be wearing an SPF moisturiser on our faces everyday. They are so easily available in many pharmacies and drug stores. Make sure you apply a generous amount and allow it to soak in before applying your make-up. A lot of foundations now contain an SPF of around 10-15 which is fine, but we really should be wearing an additional SPF of at least 30. I wear factor 50 every day. Be aware of foundations that have a matte finish or a higher SPF, especially if you are going to wear it in the evening. The titanium oxide that is usually found in the products can react badly to the flash of a camera and cause your skin to look very pale or ashy in the images.