An SPF mistake that is seriously damaging your skin

As we're halfway through November, I thought I’d cover a subject that comes up a lot in my appointments at this time of year…SPF.

I’m always conscious of checking in with clients about their SPF application during the Autumn/Winter as I know it can appear like a totally unnecessary product. However, it’s as important to apply it now as it is in the height of summer.

This is because the sun produces invisible radiation that damages our skin even on cloudy or rainy days.

The rays that impact our skin are known as ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB).

UVB rays affect the skin’s surface and cause sunburn, which you can see and feel.

UVA rays, on the other hand, can’t be felt and they penetrate deep into your skin destroying EVERYTHING in their path – including collagen and elastin that keeps our skin looking youthful and healthy.

It’s important to know that whilst UVB rays are most intense during the summer, UVA rays are present all day long, all year round, at a fairly constant intensity. At any hour, if you can see daylight, UVA rays are present and silently damaging unprotected skin!

Most new clients I meet are now aware of SPF and why they should be using it. But one of the most common issues I still see and one that hurts the skin the most in the long run, is the use of 2in1 products.

For example, there are now many moisturisers available with added SPF 20 or even foundations with SPF 15, but these products do not work effectively.

This is because they’re not broad spectrum SPFs which means they only protect against the UVB rays; the ones that don’t cause too many issues at this time of year.

There is not an ounce of protection from the UVA rays that are still being blasted at our skin on a daily basis though. Therefore it renders these products almost useless.

So what's the solution?

You need a completely separate, stand-alone SPF like our BASE Protection - SPF 50. Apply it every morning using my 11 - Dot Technique and it will transform your skin…that’s not an exaggeration.

It’s lightweight, fast-absorbing and protects you from UVA and UVB rays 365 days a year. Pop our Ultimate Moisturiser on first, your SPF next, wait 5 minutes and your foundation will glide effortlessly over the top.

I promise, you’ll thank yourself in the years to come!

Amy x