SPF Protection – a Good Habit for Summer and All Year Round

The upcoming summer is a great opportunity to talk about sun protection of the skin. Although June, July, and August are not the only months in which we deal with UV radiation, we definitely focus on much more throughout this period. This is the time to develop good habits that will stay with us for the whole year!

 

The Sun—Foe or Friend?

Sunlight is made up of many colors, primarily the seven colors that make up the rainbow, but there are also waves that are invisible to the naked eye. We must pay special attention to the latter if we want to protect the skin from unpleasant surprises such as burns, discoloration and premature aging!

 

UV radiation consists of three wavelengths, but the only two that reach us are UVA and UVB. Let’s take a quick look at them a bit closer:

• UVB radiation has variable intensity – in summer we get more of it than in winter. Changes also depend on the latitude. The good news is that on average, it accounts for only 5% of the ultraviolet light we are exposed to. It practically does not pass through the epidermis, so it does not reach the dermis. Unfortunately, there’s also bad news: it is responsible for the effects of tanning, which we see the fastest, i.e. sunburn. And that’s probably why we fear it the most, but should we?
• The intensity of UVA radiation does not change over the year. We are exposed to the same amount of it throughout the year, and it constitutes about 95% of the total ultraviolet light. It easily penetrates the epidermis and reaches the dermis. It doesn’t cause burns but that doesn’t mean it can be ignored. In the dermis, it can wreak real havoc, destroying the DNA of cells, and this increases the risk of dangerous skin cancers. It also leads to the skin losing its firmness, elasticity, and smoothness. What’s more, discolorations and fine wrinkles appear on it – this is what we call photoaging.

 

 

In addition, the other side of the spectrum consists of infrared radiation that “heats” our skin, leading to the breakdown of its supporting proteins, i.e. collagen and elastin.

Does the sun do us any good, then? Of course it does! The same radiation stimulates the production of beneficial vitamin D3 in the skin, strengthens our immune system, not to mention improving the mood and lots of activities that you want to do when the days are long, warm, and full of sunshine!

I know it doesn’t sound like a lot of fun when you look at all this information – after all, most of us love the sun. But should we be afraid of it? Not at all – if we make sure to have good sun protection, there is no reason to take advantage of what it has to offer but of course do it responsibly.

 

 

Effective Sun Protection

Let’s start with the basics – the rules of safe exposure to the sun.

First, avoid the sun when it’s at the highest point in the sky. Around noon (experts usually say it’s between 11:00 – 13:00) it is better to hide in the shade than to expose yourself to radiation. Secondly, remember to cover your body. Although it seems tempting to go out in a blouse with straps or a short dress, sometimes it is better to opt for long sleeves and a covered neckline. Let’s choose light, airy natural materials, such as linen and cotton. By the way, a hat can be a great combination of protection and style! Third, water, water, lots of water! Don’t forget to drink fluids throughout the day, as we can easily become dehydrated in the heat!

 

Finally, and most importantly, choose and meticulously apply the right SPF protection!

And here, at last, I can tell you about Phlov’s new products, which will be just perfect not only for the summer, but also for the rest of the year, because we must remember about UV protection every day! This is the Sunflow line which includes as many as four body and face products:

• Two rejuvenating face serums – SPF 30 and SPF 50 – is a light choice for every day, full of soothing and protective ingredients. It works great under make-up, and thanks to the richness of rejuvenating ingredients, it perfectly prevents premature skin aging.
• Intensively nourishing body lotion SPF 30 – a deeply moisturizing, caring product  that will provide proper protection of the whole body against the sun. Its rich ingredients will help the skin avoid the effects of tanning!
• Moisturizing face cream SPF 50 – a great choice for everyone, especially those of us with sensitive skin that dries easily and requires extra care. A high level of sun protection ensures that we can go out in the sun and have a great time without unpleasant consequences.

 

 

Using them is amazingly easy. It is enough to apply them in an even layer on the skin about 15-20 minutes before going out in the sun. The skin absorbs them during that time and as a result they properly protect our skin from UV radiation. Since the face is more sensitive and delicate than the rest of our body, we must use SPF 50 in sunny months – higher protection will ensure safe sun exposure. In the colder and darker half of the year, we can choose SPF 30 – it is still a very good level of protection, sufficient when there is less sun. The exception to this rule is when we decide on autumn and winter dermocosmetic treatments, acid treatments, or we simply have very sensitive skin. Then we should use SPF 50 all year round.

A common question we ask ourselves when buying a face cream is whether we have to choose between SPF protection and makeup. Don’t worry – both cream and serums have a velvety, satin finish. They do not leave a sticky or greasy layer on the face, so if we give the skin 15 minutes to absorb them, we can easily apply our favorite makeup! And here I also want to answer another common question about protective SPF cosmetics: the ones  from Phlov do not leave a white layer on the skin!

We should also always remember one thing – SPF cosmetics, even the waterproof ones, wear off with time. After each wipe with a towel, handkerchief or hand, we should reapply them to the skin, so as not to risk burns and premature aging!

 

 

There’s not enough room here to tell you about each of the excellent ingredients that  these four products contain, such as plant extracts from mallow, physalis, green tea, Buddleja Officinalis, or carrot, valuable oils, panthenol, allantoin, moisturizing polysaccharides, aloe vera, and more… But most importantly, they have extremely effective UV filters. They are safe for the skin (also damaged or irritated by cosmetic procedures), for pregnant women and for marine environments! Check out the full details on each of them on the Phlov website!

I love the sun, regardless of the season and wherever I am, I love every moment when I can enjoy its light. That’s why I couldn’t wait to introduce you to these amazing new products from Phlov. I’m sure they’ll be in my makeup bag all year long, and I hope in yours too!