This is why sunscreen needs to be part of your daily skincare routine
After a long, cold winter the sun has *finally* made its long-awaited reappearance and summer is officially here! This means more hours of sunlight, hot days and balmy nights and more time spent enjoying the outdoors. Living on the African continent, we know that the sun can be scorching.
As such, we need to take even more care regarding our bodies. Firstly, drink enough water to stay hydrated. The second is to apply sunscreen daily to keep our complexions sun safe.
Say yes to SPF
Back in the day, sunscreen was something we’d haul out the back of the bathroom cabinet for beach days. Thick and sticky, they would usually leave a ghostly white cast. This made it even less appealing for people with darker skin tones.
Fortunately, there has been tons of innovation in this field so everyone can find their favourite formula. Now, many have a lotion-like feel and leave no visible cast so that anyone can use them. And we now know just how important daily use is.
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Over the past few years, dermatologists and skincare professionals have been more vocal about the importance of using an SPF every day. This includes winter, as UV rays can still penetrate through clouds and the screens from our phones and laptops also emit rays that can cause similar skin damage. Applying it once a day also isn’t enough – we should be reapplying every couple of hours to guarantee all-day protection.
Why do we need to be so vigilant when it comes to using sunscreen, anyway? It is known to accelerate signs of ageing, such as fine lines and dark marks. It can also help to prevent the development of skin cancer – a largely preventable disease that affects well over 20 000 South Africans annually. It is the fifth most prevalent cancer in local men and sixth among women. And no one wants to become a statistic!
Find your formula
When it comes to sunscreen, there is now plenty of variety. This means that for every skin type, there’s a formula to suit your needs. Here are some of the ones we love.
Got oily skin? The Eucerin Sun Oil Control Dry Touch SPF 50+ has an instant dry-touch feel and keeps your complexion matte for hours. Shop it here.
Got combination skin? The Dermopal Sunscreen SPF 30 is formulated to suit all skin types and won’t leave you looking greasy. Shop it here.
Got dry skin? The Silki Daily Defence Sunscreen SPF 30 contains nourishing vitamin E to keep your skin moisturised and soft. Shop it here.
Got hyperpigmentation? The Pastry Skincare SPF50 Sunscreen contains niacinamide to fade dark marks and hyaluronic acid for long-lasting hydration. Shop it here.
Got acne? The Eucerin Dermopurifyer Protective Fluid SPF30 contains ingredients that mattify and clarify your skin so you get protection and care in one. Shop it here.
Got mature skin? The Vichy Capital Soleil UV Age SPF50 is a lightweight, fast-absorbing fluid that protects skin from signs of ageing caused by sun exposure. Shop it here.
