Why is SPF your best well-ageing ally?
80% of premature signs of skin ageing come from UV rays. To combat wrinkles and blemishes while maintaining your skin's firmness, SPF is your strongest option. Oh My Cream presents an inspiring selection of SPF products, enriched with advanced active ingredients and featuring imperceptible textures that effortlessly fit into your daily routine.
Why is sun protection key?
The best anti-ageing routine includes: a perfectly formulated cleanser, a serum rich in active ingredients and antioxidants, not forgetting an exfoliating treatment to boost cell renewal, an eye contour to erase signs of fatigue and, of course, a nourishing moisturiser. But an anti-ageing routine will never be effective without sun protection. UV rays cause 80% of premature signs of skin ageing. And UV rays don't stop at the end of summer, they are constant all year round and penetrate the atmosphere even when the sky is cloudy (and can even pass through windows). In short, the sun's rays damage our skin every day of the year!
Understanding the impact of UV
There are several types of UV: UVA, UVB and UVC. UVA rays penetrate the deepest part of the skin, down to the dermis. They are responsible for changes in skin pigmentation (tanning), but they are also largely responsible for skin ageing. As they penetrate the skin, they generate free radicals, unstable molecules that damage skin cells, including the key proteins involved in skin firmness and elasticity: collagen and elastin. This phenomenon, known as oxidative stress, leads to the appearance of wrinkles and pigmentation spots, and makes the skin thinner, rougher and less firm, with a less even complexion.
UVB rays are responsible for sunburn. They stop at the epidermis but damage the cells' DNA. Although they are stronger in summer, they can damage and burn the skin all year round, particularly at high altitudes and on reflective surfaces such as snow or ice.
Finally, UVCs are the most dangerous, but they are absorbed by the ozone layer and by the oxygen in the atmosphere before reaching the earth's surface.
There are 4 SPF levels:
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6 to 10: representing low protection
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15 to 25: representing medium protection
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30 to 50: representing high protection
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50 and over: representing very high protection
Each sun protection factor corresponds to a percentage of UVB blocked. For example, SPF 20 blocks around 92% of UVB rays, while SPF 30 blocks around 95%. Finally, an SPF 50 will block 98% of UVB rays. Even if the difference in the percentage of UV rays blocked is not enormous, the protection will still be more effective and a high level of protection will be more appropriate, especially if you have fair skin. Do you have dark skin? Depending on where you're going, you could opt for a medium to high protection factor. But in all cases, suncare products can only deliver effective protection if you follow certain golden rules when applying them.
Please note: the terms ‘total sunscreen’ or ‘total protection’ are no longer permitted. No sunscreen can guarantee total protection against UVA and UVB rays. Since 2006, the European Commission has grouped together sun protection levels above 50 (as well as the 60 and 80 levels that existed previously) into a single 50+ level. This measure was also taken to protect consumers who mistakenly thought they could get an unlimited tan with SPF 80 applied only in the morning…
How to use sun protection correctly?
The various tests used to assign your suncare product a protection score are carried out under certain conditions. Unfortunately, these conditions are far removed from everyday use. For example, when measuring SPF on the face, about half a teaspoon of sun protection is applied.
Our sun protection products for the face
The right sun cream for sensitive skin
Thanks to its broad-spectrum mineral protection, Pai Skincare British Summer Time Sun Cream for Sensitive Skin SPF30 protects the most sensitive skin from UVA and UVB rays, as well as the harmful effects of blue light and infrared rays, while repairing the damage caused by the various rays and leaving it feeling comfortable and soothed all day long.
The ideal sun cream for skin with imperfections
Non-comedogenic, 100% mineral and with no added fragrance, Dermalogica Porescreen Mineral Sunscreen SPF40 is the perfect sun protection for blemish-prone skin. Its formula combines zinc oxide, niacinamide, vitamin E, squalane and green microalgae to protect skin from the harmful effects of the sun, reduce sebum production, improve the appearance of pores and even out skin tone. What's more, with its encapsulated pigments, it leaves a beautiful, radiant and discreet glow behind...
Last but not least, Rudolph Care Sun Stick SPF 50 should always be carried in your bag to protect all fragile areas while providing good coverage. Fragrance-free and boosted with vitamin E and shea butter, it cares for lips and all sensitive areas.
Whichever option you choose, don't forget to thoroughly cleanse your skin at the end of the day with a good oil or make-up remover balm to effectively remove all the filters. After the oily step, which effectively emulsifies your suncare product, a cleansing gel will refine the result.
How to make the most out of your suncare products?
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Apply your sun protection generously. For the face, adopt the mille-feuille technique by layering layers of sun protection. Apply a first layer, allow it to penetrate, then repeat.
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Choose the right product. For the face, cream or light emulsion textures are the easiest to apply, whatever your skin type. For the body, treat yourself to sensorial textures: sun oil, sun mist or sun lotion, the choice is yours...
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Re-apply the product every 2 hours. This may seem restrictive, but it's the only guarantee that you'll have the SPF applied to the product. Especially as in summer, between swimming, rubbing your towel and sweating, your sun protection is put to the test...
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Renew your suncare products every year. Sun filtres are fragile ingredients; variations in temperature and frequent contact with the air when opening and closing the product can upset the formula. To avoid any doubts, it's best to start with new suncare products every summer. And if you've been generous with your applications, your bottles should already be almost empty...
Finally, don't forget the last key beauty tips for top protection:
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Even with protection, don't expose yourself to the sun between 12pm and 4pm. During this time, ultraviolet rays bombard the epidermis and skin ageing is the result (whatever your phototype)...
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Think about sensitive areas: ears, hairline, décolleté, hands and feet... all fragile places where sunburn and redness can quickly occur!
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Complete your travel kit with the right accessories to maximise protection: sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat, a T-shirt or pretty flowing blouse...
Do you still have a questions or need help finding the right sun protection for you skin? Write us at contact@ohmycream.com, our beauty coaches will be happy to assist you.
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