While we've always been taught to cleanse and moisturise, sunscreen is our often-overlooked skincare non-negotiable.
An NCBI study revealed up to 80% of ageing is caused by the sun's rays. While a golden glow can make you feel a million dollars, the price the skin pays for overexposure to the sun is often non-refundable.
Think premature ageing, leathery skin, sunspots, pigmentation and pre-cancer and even cancerous cells.
And worse, because the harmful UV rays penetrate silently, by the time you notice the damage, it's often too late to reverse.
In our opinion, no glow is ever worth it!
So, we know that sunscreen can help protect the skin from UV damage, but not all sunscreens were created equal.
Some brands (that we won't ever name) are formulated with irritating synthetics and fragrances that can increase the toxic load on the skin and create more problems of their own.
Here are our top sunscreen tips whatever the weather.
Physical versus chemical sunscreen
Physical sunscreens sit on the skin to create a physical barrier between the skin and UV rays. Alternatively, chemical sunscreens penetrate the deeper layers of skin and absorb UV rays.
While chemical sunscreens are easier to apply and create a smoother base for makeup, many of the ingredients can increase the toxic load on the skin leading to sensitivity, breakouts and redness.
Far less irritating and our preferred choice is a physical sunscreen based on formulas of zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to deflect the sun.
Apply sunscreen every day as part of your skincare regime
Sunscreen must be worn every day. Even if it's overcast or you're not planning on spending much time outside, the harmful UV rays can penetrate clouds and windows, and it only takes a matter of minutes to start causing damage.
Our daily recommended morning routine is:
- Cleanse
- Serum
- Sunscreen
- Makeup
Use sunscreen free from water
If you look at the ingredients list of most sunscreens, you'll notice the number one ingredient is water.
The sunscreens we choose to recommend are free from water which means they won't dilute the active ingredients in your products making them the perfect pair for your Biologi serums.
How to apply SPF
To make sure sunscreen protects every cell, apply to all areas of visible skin including the neck, décolletage, behind the neck, ears and any bald or thinning hair spots.
Wait 20 minutes for the sunscreen to become effective before exposure to the sun.
Don't mix SPF with products
While the shelves are lined with makeup and moisturising products containing SPF (otherwise known as secondary SPF), this is a big Biologi no-no.
SPF has a very important job to do and mixing with other ingredients will dilute both the efficacy of the sunscreen and the function of the other products. At all times, use a primary sunscreen (meaning sun protection is its first and only job) and keep the other products separate.
Biologi sunscreen recommendations
At Biologi, our customers are the forefront of everything we do.
Every day, our team receives requests from consumers asking for sunscreen recommendations.
In response, we made the decision to recommend sunscreens that we believe align with the Cancer Council guidelines, our own ethos, and that fit well within a Biologi skincare regime.
After lengthy research and in-house testing, we have proudly chosen to recommend the following sunscreens as the perfect choice to sit alongside our clean cosmeceutical skincare range of products.
The Kind Sunscreen is an all-natural zinc formula that hydrates the skin with a moisture-locking barrier to reflect rays and reduce the chance of sun damage.
Formulated with just nine ingredients and free from water, The Kind Sunscreen is safe for babies, breastfeeding mums and those with allergies or sensitive skin.
As a broad-spectrum SPF 30 offering, The Kind Sunscreen is vegan-friendly and ethically created here in Australia.
MOTHER SPF is a hydrating, everyday physical sunscreen using only nine sustainably sourced and certified organic ingredients. The key active ingredient is non-nano zinc oxide that provides factor 30 broad-spectrum protection.
As an anti-inflammatory, MOTHER SPF is rich in nutrients, and it won't break down in the presence of sunlight offering all-around protection from day to night.
Not only does MOTHER SPF protect against harmful rays, but it's also a nourishing formulation created with antioxidants to strengthen the skin barrier and protect against free radical damage.
Sunscreen is an essential part of the skincare routine that’s always in season. To find out more about our sunscreen recommendations, contact our Customer Experience team today.