While the weather might be chilly and the days a lot shorter, which often means you spend more time inside, there’s one product you still need to be including in your skincare routine come winter and that’s sunscreen. What was once considered a summer-specific product, sunscreen should actually be worn year-round — no matter the weather or temperature.
This is the same advice given by Dr Scott McGregor, skin cancer and cosmetic physician and co-founder of sunscreen brand, We Are Feel Good Inc. Not only does SPF protect you from the sun’s harmful UV rays but it also prevents premature ageing.
“Up to 90 percent of skin ageing and most skin cancers are caused by unprotected sun exposure,” said Dr McGregor. “The damage is cumulative, and in Australia can occur in as little as 10 minutes in the sun. So, applying sunscreen every morning should be an essential part of your daily self-care routine.”
Don’t think of sunscreen as something you whip out for a day on the beach, but rather as an important step in your skincare routine. Do you always apply vitamin C serum and moisturiser in the morning? Cool, simply add your favourite sunscreen as the last step before makeup and you’re good to go.
When it comes to choosing a sunscreen (if you don’t currently have a firm fave in your cabinet), Dr McGregor has a few tips. “The best sunscreen is the one that you will use every day,” he said. “Choose an SPF 50+ if possible. Choose a waterproof sunscreen for sport and active days. Otherwise, it is a matter of personal choice.”
And, sunscreen application shouldn’t just be limited to your face and necks, with Dr McGregor recommending it used on the back of your hands as well as any part of the body that isn’t covered by clothing. Even if you’re simply driving in the car, the windows don’t block UVA light so you still need to protect your skin with SPF.
For reapplication, this depends on what you’re doing in the day but even a day in the office requires a sunscreen top-up. “Sunscreens should be reapplied after swimming or any activity that causes sweating,” said Dr McGregor. “For a day at the office, generally, I would reapply at lunchtime if entering the sun. Remember to reapply to the backs of your hands more regularly.”
If you’ve never reapplied sunscreen over your makeup before, scientist and content creator Hannah English has a handy hack that involves the use of a special sponge and ensures that your makeup stays put, despite the SPF application.
