Irish Summers can be tricky to navigate.
In 2018 Ireland scorched under a stellar heatwave; the likes of which we had never experienced. Other years it seems we can deem ourselves lucky if the rain gets warmer!
Whether it’s a week or month long sunny spell we may have for the remainder of Summer 2021, we realise the importance of SPF and have put together a neat guide on everything sun protection….
30 is the magic number:
30 is the magic number when it comes to SPF, as it is the level of sun protection we should be treating our skin with when it comes to sunnier climates. The level of sun we get is not made up of our hours spent lounging around sun-bathing but rather our incidental sun exposure (very fancy) which is the rays we catch walking the dog, hitting the shops or going for a jog. It is the term applied to the exposure to the sun you are not even aware of. Factor 30 is a guide for a broad range of ages/sexes.
Moisturise:
Whether you’re 15 or 50, invest in a quality moisturizer with SPF and make it a part of your daily routine. Think of it as important as drinking water or reading a chapter of your favourite novel and never forget your morning application is key to facing the day. Night-time application does not need any SPF. The sustained routine of moisturising skin, especially for the face and dryer skin (elbows/knees) which needs more hydration will pay off in the long run, we promise.
If in doubt, still apply:
On cloudy, overcast days where Mr.Sun can seem like a long, forgotten memory, it’s easy to take your foot off the pedal in terms of skin protection. But, contrary to what you might think, cloudy weather only blocks 10% of damaging UVA rays, so it’s important to invest in a layer of application as your skin is still at risk of minor damage. For duller weather, it’s advised to apply an SPF 15 to the skin.
30 minute rule:
It’s widely believed that suncream can take up to 30 minutes to be absorbed by the skin, so try to plan ahead and apply with that time in mind. Less is not always more when it comes to skin protection so don’t be afraid to liberally apply. In warmer weather, try to reapply every 2 hours.
The sun is always strongest between 12pm-4pm so be mindful of this when baring your skin.
So with that in mind, lube up and enjoy the sun you beautiful feckers.
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