Thinking clothes protect you… And six other things you’re doing wrong with suncream
More than half of us don't apply enough suncream - and even if you do, you might not be doing it the right way. Are you guilty of these sunscreen fails?
THINK you’ve got your SPF sorted?
Sadly, it’s likely you’ve committed at least one of these sins...
1 Ignoring the use-by date
Sunscreen has a shelf life, but research by Asda has found that nearly 60% of UK holidaymakers could be using out-of-date products. “Sunscreen loses its effectiveness after its use-by date,” says skincare expert Michelle Doherty, founder of cult brand Alpha-H.
“So if it’s expired, be ruthless. Throw it out and buy a new bottle.”
Most sunscreens have an expiration date or a tub symbol that contains a number to indicate how many months it’ll keep for once you’ve opened it.
“If you can’t find a use-by date, then write the month and year of purchase on the bottle,” suggests Michelle.
And just like you check best-before dates in the supermarket before you buy food, do the same with your sunscreen.
2 Not knowing all your rays
So you know that UVA ages skin and UVB burns it? Top marks.
But have you heard about the other ray you need to protect yourself from?
“New research shows infrared – longer wavelengths in the sun’s electromagnetic irradiation – can harm skin, too,” says dermatologist Dr Stefanie Williams.
Because infrared-A (IR-A) rays are longer than other rays, they can penetrate deeper into the skin, causing wrinkles and collagen damage.
Thankfully, a number of sunscreen brands now offer triple protection – try Garnier Ambre Solaire Sensitive Advanced Very High SPF50+, £8, or Lloyds Pharmacy Solero Sun Lotion SPF30, £7.
3 Relying on your ‘base TAN’
Own up. How often have you had a sunbed session just before your summer holiday, “safe” in the knowledge a base tan will stop you burning when you hit the beach?
“The idea that a tan is the best sun protection is a dangerous misconception,” says Dr Williams.
“Studies show that not only is sunburn a sign of skin damage, but even a tan is a sign that the skin’s DNA has been damaged.”
Plus, sunbeds pose another danger. The Melanoma Research Foundation says regular exposure to tanning beds before the age of 30 can increase a person’s risk of developing melanoma skin cancer by up to 75%.
4 Letting it heat up
If you usually leave your bottle of SPF baking in the sun with you, then get it in the shade pronto, because it stops working when stored above 25°C.
“The ultraviolet- absorbing chemicals degrade at high temperatures, rendering them ineffective,” says Michelle.
If you’re out in the sun all day, keep your sunscreen in a cool bag or next to a cold drink bottle in a shady place.
And if you kept last summer’s sunscreen in a car or beach bag, replace it.