The sun gives us vitamin D, a tan, warmth… and photoaging. Ultraviolet radiation is also one of the main risk factors for developing melanoma. According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, without using daily sunscreen, protective clothing, and other sun protection methods, roughly one in five people in the US will face skin cancer by age 70.
That's exactly why so much is said about the importance of sun protection. In some countries, such as Australia, government programs have been introduced to inform the population about the importance of sun protection, the rules for using sunscreen, and investing in the availability of SPF products for everyone.
In this article, we'll talk about why using daily SPF sunscreen should become a healthy habit, and how to choose products that actually work.
What Is SPF, and How Does It Work?
SPF (Sun Protection Factor) shows how well a product can protect the skin from UV radiation. The higher the SPF, the longer the skin can stay under sunlight without redness or burning.
Besides the SPF level, the manufacturer may also indicate the level of protection against UVB and UVA. Sunlight carries both:
- UVB rays mainly affect the upper layers of the skin. They are the ones responsible for the characteristic redness after long sun exposure.
- UVA rays can penetrate deeper into the epidermis and affect collagen fibers. Their danger lies in the fact that they pass through clouds, glass, and other minor obstacles. This is why facial sunscreen is needed even in winter or when you're simply staying at home.
Manufacturers may also indicate the PA rating (Protection Grade of UVA) - a practice common among Asian manufacturers, but now found worldwide. If a product is labeled Broad Spectrum, it means it provides protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
UVA vs. UVB: What's the Difference?
| UVA | UVB | |
|---|---|---|
| Passes through window glass | Yes | No |
| Main effect | Skin aging, pigmentation, damage to deeper skin layers | Sunburn, DNA damage to skin cells |
| Activity | Present year-round, regardless of the weather | Strongest during summer and around midday |
| What SPF/PA protects against | PA rating and broad-spectrum protection | SPF rating |
High-quality creams offer broad-spectrum protection, meaning protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
What's the Difference Between Filter Types in Sunscreens?
Overall, SPF lotions work like a protective screen. It's harder for UV rays to "break through" such a barrier and cause negative effects. This protection is achieved in two ways: with mineral (physical) or chemical sunscreen filters.
- Chemical filters - components that absorb UV radiation, converting it into heat.
- Physical (mineral) filters - based on zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These components help scatter UV rays, reducing their impact on the skin.
Modern SPF products often combine chemical and mineral filters. Products that rely on only one type of protection are less common.
Why Is Facial Sunscreen Needed Even in Winter?
UVA rays are always present in the atmosphere and easily penetrate through thick cloud cover, home windows, and other minor obstacles. When you walk through a snow-covered city or go skiing, snow additionally reflects UV rays, creating an even greater load on the skin. That's why you can get sunburn and redness even at a ski resort.
Do You Need Sunscreen Indoors?
It depends on the circumstances. Simply put, facial sunscreen is recommended if daylight from a window reaches you during the day. This exposure won't be as intense as, say, a summer walk on a hot day, but protection is still the safer choice.
Schematically:
- If you spend a lot of time indoors with large or panoramic windows - daily sunscreen is recommended.
- If you work at a desk near a window - using sunscreen indoors is a good idea.
- If it's a relaxing day, the curtains are drawn, and you're resting on the couch in front of the TV - you can skip the sunscreen.
Sun Protection: Common Mistakes
Even dermatologists, cosmetologists, and people who are very attentive to their health sometimes make mistakes when using facial sunscreen:
- Applying it only in summer or exclusively at the beach;
- Forgetting to reapply it after swimming or a few hours after leaving the house;
- Not covering the ears (a very common mistake) and the neck (especially the back) with sun protection;
- Using SPF-containing makeup without an additional layer of sunscreen.
According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, most people apply far less sunscreen than needed to achieve the stated level of protection. This means the skin doesn't receive the level of protection necessary to help prevent damage caused by UV radiation.
Why Is Sunscreen About More Than Just Beauty?
Regular sun exposure causes photoaging. It’s a process in which UVA rays affect the middle and deep layers of the skin, damaging the structure of collagen and elastin fibers. As a result, the skin loses firmness and density. It means that on top of age-related facial wrinkles, sun-induced creases appear as well.
An interesting fact: according to The Skin Cancer Foundation, daily use of SPF 15+ sunscreen reduces the visible signs of skin aging by about 24% compared to those who don't use daily sunscreen regularly.
Oxidative Stress as an Aging Factor
Oxidative stress is considered one of the key mechanisms involved in photoaging. The sun intensely affects the skin, and free radicals form in the tissues. These molecules, missing an electron, become a real problem for protein molecules - which is why collagen is their primary target.
The longer and more intense the UVA exposure, the more free radicals appear. The more free radicals there are, the faster we encounter signs of premature skin aging.
Melanoma Risk
Oncologists never tire of reminding people to use sunscreen every day, especially in sunny weather, at the beach, when walking outside, or when working outdoors. This is because one of the consequences of regular UV exposure is an increased risk of developing melanoma - the most aggressive type of skin cancer. The Skin Cancer Foundation states that regular daily use of SPF 15+ products reduces the risk of developing melanoma by about 50% and the risk of squamous cell skin cancer by about 40%.
At the same time, another authoritative source - the American Cancer Society - estimates that as many as 112,000 new melanoma cases could be diagnosed in the US by the end of 2026 if the current trend continues.
How to Choose the Right Sunscreen for Your Skin Type?
The first thing we look at when choosing a facial sunscreen or body sun protection is the SPF level. When applied correctly, even a lower SPF level can provide adequate protection. But since we often apply less product than recommended and forget to reapply throughout the day, SPF 50 may provide better real-world protection by compensating for small application errors.
| Situation | Recommended SPF |
|---|---|
| Everyday city life (work, walks, commuting) | SPF 30–50 |
| Extended time outdoors in summer | SPF 50+ |
| Beach or poolside vacation | SPF 50+ with regular reapplication |
| Hiking, skiing, or active outdoor recreation | SPF 50+ |
| After cosmetic procedures (as recommended by a doctor) | Usually SPF 50+ |
| Fair skin, many moles, or increased sun sensitivity | SPF 50+ is usually recommended for daily protection |
Also, when choosing, it's worth paying attention to these criteria:
- PA rating - the more plus signs, the higher the UVA protection.
- Texture - a light texture is recommended for oily and combination skin, while a richer one works better for dry skin. Note that the texture can't be ultra-light and imperceptible - the filters in the formula still make the product fairly thick.
- Filter composition - combined protection with physical and chemical filters works best overall. But for sensitive skin, it's better to choose a mineral-based cream - it's gentler and causes irritation less often.
- Additional skincare ingredients. A cream may contain vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants. Such a cream is essentially a full makeup base, and can be used instead of a moisturizing or nourishing cream.
Plamine UV Perfect Lotion: Daily Sunscreen for Skin Protection
Plamine's lineup includes a facial sunscreen that covers all these points at once - UV Perfect Lotion SPF 50+ PA++++.
What's good about it:
- Physical (mineral) filters - zinc oxide and titanium dioxide provide reliable Broad Spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
- Care, not just protection - a botanical complex with wheat germ oil, polyglutamic acid, and herbal extracts deeply moisturizes the skin and helps support the skin barrier.
- Fullerene is known for its antioxidant properties. It helps fight the effects of photoaging and helps improve the appearance of uneven skin tone.
- Brightening effect - the formula gently helps maintain a more even-looking complexion.
- Light texture - leaves no white cast or heavy feeling on the skin, works well under makeup, and is suitable for sensitive skin.
It's recommended to apply the lotion 15-20 minutes before sun exposure to cleansed facial skin and reapply it throughout the day to help maintain the stated level of protection.
How to Apply Sunscreen Correctly?
For facial and body sunscreen to work properly, you not only need to choose the right product but also remember to apply it - ideally in a way that lets the product actually do its job.
Apply Sunscreen as the Last Step of Your Morning Skincare Routine
After applying your serum and moisturizer, wait a little for them to absorb. Then, on the final step of your skincare routine, you can apply the SPF. Applying makeup on top of facial sunscreen doesn't cancel out its protective function.
Don't Skimp on Product
Apply enough sun protection product. You've probably heard of the two-finger rule - it's simply a guideline for how much product to squeeze from the tube. Squeeze a strip of sun protection onto your index and middle fingers and spread it over your face, neck, and décolleté. If your arms and shoulders are exposed, that's another two strips for those areas, and so on.
Reapply SPF Throughout the Day
When we sweat, shower, or swim in a pool, the protective layer gradually wears off. On average, it's advisable to reapply sunscreen every two hours.
Don't Forget Your Ears
We'll say it again: better that than having to peel sunburned skin off your ears later. If you're out for a walk without a hat, it's also worth applying the product along your hairline and part.
Truth and Myths About SPF
| ❌ Myth | ✔ Fact |
|---|---|
| You can skip SPF in cloudy weather. | UV exposure to the skin continues year-round. |
| Window glass blocks UV radiation. | UVA passes through glass and reaches your skin even indoors. |
| You can't use SPF if you have a vitamin D deficiency. | Your body still receives enough UV exposure for vitamin D synthesis, even when using SPF. |
Conclusions
Facial SPF is your friend in any season, in any weather. If you don't yet have the habit of using it beyond just the beach, it's worth paying attention to this. Skincare products are very often about beauty, but SPF products are, first and foremost, about health - about skin cancer prevention - and only after that, everything else.
Important: SPF is needed by everyone - women and men, children and older adults. It can be hardest for men, because of the stereotype that cosmetics are "just for women." But SPF is a cosmetic product just like toothpaste - for everyday use, for everyone, without exception.
