We all know that SPF is a really important part of a summertime skincare regime, and most of us take care to apply a protective layer in the morning. However, there is conflicting advice about whether this morning application provides sufficient protection for the whole day. If you’re confused about your skincare regime in terms of sun protection, check out this simple and straightforward advice.
What Activities Are You Doing?
The amount of time your SPF will last will partly depend on what you’re doing. If your working day is mainly office-based and you’re unlikely to work up a sweat, you can probably depend on a good quality SPF lasting you for the majority of the day. However, if your job is more active, or involves getting wet, you will definitely need to be topping up your SPF protection throughout the day.
How Good Is Your SPF?
Some SPF products specify that they are long-lasting or designed for all day wear. With these products, you can make a fairly safe bet that they will protect your skin throughout the daylight hours (although you will still need to take care to seek shade between the hottest hours of the day, as SPF can’t shield all of the UV rays). However, if you’ve opted for a simpler SPF formulation, it may be worth setting a reminder to re-apply after lunch, so you don’t end up with unexpected burns.
Can You Get Away With a Light Top-Up?
If you feel that you do need to top up your SPF, rather than reapplying a whole layer (which, when worn over foundation or makeup, can become heavy and sticky), why not invest in a spray bottle of SPF which you can lightly mist over your skin? The best products won’t even require rubbing in, so you can spritz and then get on with the rest of your day, safe in the knowledge that your skin is protected.