You've been applying sun cream wrong the whole time
Welcome back to our Marie Claire Masters series, a regular beauty franchise that celebrates and utilizes the expertise of women who are bossing it in their fields. Each month these Masters will educate, demonstrate and impart some of their industry wisdom to you the dedicated Marie Claire reader. From current trends and hot topics to how tos and how not tos, these beauty whizz kids are at our beckon call. So get reading, you never know what you tips you might pick up. KT – Digital Beauty Editor
Hello, I’m Paula Begoun, founder of the skincare line Paula’s Choice, and I'm back with my next column as the Marie Claire Skincare Master. In my columns I will de-bunk skin myths, let you in on skincare secrets and tell you exactly which ingredients the skincare industry is currently obsessed with and why.
With the weather so beautiful in the UK at the moment, I think it's essential we chat about how to look after your skin in the sun.
Suncare and skincare
If you want to prevent signs of aging or reduce the appearance of those tell-tale signs you already have and prevent skin cancer the daily application of a broad spectrum sun cream with an SPF 30 or greater is essential. “Daily” means every day, rain or shine, whether you’re inside or outside. The bad rays of the sun even come through windows and most shockingly sun damage begins within the first minute skin is exposed to daylight.
Sun cream - the dos and the don’ts
DO Start them young. Use sun cream on babies from birth onwards. Pediatricians recommend they wear sun cream if their skin is exposed to daylight. It’s best to use a pure mineral based sun cream for babies, where the only active ingredients are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, because of how extremely gentle they are on young skin.
DON'T Go low. Use sun creams rated SPF 30 or greater. That’s the minimum rating recommended by medical boards worldwide.
DO Apply sun cream liberally as the last step of your morning skincare routine. Any skincare product you apply over a sun cream dilutes it and reduces its effectiveness.
Marie Claire Newsletter
Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!
DON'T Be afraid of sun creams. Be more afraid of sun damage. You may have heard horror stories about some synthetic sun cream ingredients and if you are concerned about those, a pure mineral SPF 30 should allay your fears and protect your skin.
DO Apply makeup over sun cream as makeup does not absorb into skin, it stays on the surface. Layering sun creams can help ensure you're getting enough protection so try using a primer, foundation, or pressed power with SPF to add more coverage.
DON'T Forget your neck, chest, hands, and arms if they will be exposed to daylight, too.
DO Choose a day cream based on your skin type, with an added SPF. If you have dry skin use one with a creamy texture; if you have oily skin use a gel or fluid; if you have combination skin, look for a gel or lotion texture.
How to apply sun cream the right way
- Applying sun cream isn't simple. But it is so important to understand exactly how to apply it, otherwise you aren't protecting your skin properly.
- Apply sun cream 15 to 30 minutes before you go outside and be sure it absorbs in before you get dressed. If you get dressed immediately after applying, most of it will rub off on your clothes.
- I cannot stress enough how important it is to use the right amount. If in doubt - always applying more than you think you need.
- If you're swimming or sweating you must use a water-resistant sun cream and you must reapply afterwards.
- Aim high - go for an SPF50 in the summer.
- If you live in areas during the winter where there are limited hours of daylight I would still not recommend going any lower than an SPF 30. No one should get used to lower SPF products.
- This is probably the last thing you want to hear, but seek shade, wear UV-rated sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats and sun-protective clothing whenever possible (it certainly ’s less expensive than applying sunscreen liberally all over an entire naked body).
Paula's Picks:
For you face I recommend the follow SPFs:
1. Estee Lauder Crescent White Full Cycle Brightening UV Protector SPF50, £45 Look Fantastic
2. Kiehl’s Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Mineral Sunscreen, £35 House of Fraser
3. Paula's Choice Resist Youth Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid, £33 Look Fantastic
Pa
There is no better way to protect your skin from premature aging than protecting your skin from the sun.
Make sure you're applying it correctly.
Until next time!
Katie Thomas is the Senior Beauty Editor at Marie Claire UK. With over 10 years of experience on women's luxury lifestyle titles, she covers everything from the best beauty looks from the red carpet and stand out trends from the catwalk, to colonic irrigation and to the best mascaras on the market. She started her career on fashion desks across the industry - from The Telegraph to Brides - but found her calling in the Tatler beauty department. From there she moved to Instyle, before joining the Marie Claire digital team in 2018. She’s made it her own personal mission to find the best concealer in the world to cover her tenacious dark circles. She’s obsessed with skincare that makes her skin bouncy and glowy, low-maintenance hair that doesn’t require brushing and a cracking good manicure. Oh and she wears more jewellery than the Queen.
-
This iconic, down-right fancy, face cream is still the only product I go to for dry, sensitive periods and I just picked it up for £40 less
One of beauty's most beloved icons
By Rebecca Fearn
-
Katie Holmes nails tricky transitional dressing with this full Reformation look
This rich-looking outfit is currently 25% off
By Mischa Anouk Smith
-
I recreated Hailey Bieber’s martini-inspired birthday outfit—right down to that cinnamon lipgloss
Take note this party season
By Mischa Anouk Smith
-
In case you're still clueless, these are the acids that an expert says you should have in your skincare routine
Let the pro do the talking
By Katie Thomas
-
Post-summer hair detox: because your locks are in need of some serious TLC after this heat
Re-discovering Your Hair’s Mojo After the Summer
By Katie Thomas
-
If you want to nail a strong lip, don't you dare skip these steps
Pouts prepped to perfection...
By Katie Thomas
-
These are the must-have skincare items you need for good skin
A simple step-by-step
By Katie Thomas
-
The face prep tricks that will help your base last, even if you're sweaty
Ace of base
By Katie Thomas
-
How to style your hair in this heatwave
Because we are SO not used to this weather
By Katie Thomas
-
Peptides: what are these super smart ingredients?
They're not just amazing, they're essential
By Katie Thomas