Most important Skincare

If you haven’t got an SPF in your skincare routine… I’d love to know why not.

When new clients come to The Pampered Cow, one of the first things we talk about is their skincare routine. And I know it sounds a little cliché, but if there’s one product I recommend investing in above anything else, it’s SPF.

When skin isn’t protected with SPF, UV radiation gradually damages the skin’s structure. Dermatologists call this photoaging, ageing caused by the sun rather than natural ageing alone. Collagen begins to break down and pigment cells become irregular and that is only the tip of the iceberg.

When choosing a dedicated SPF for the face, keep it simple and look for these things:

Broad spectrum protection

This is usually shown on the packaging as UVA and UVB protection. This is important because they affect the skin in different ways.

UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin and are responsible for premature ageing. They break down collagen and contribute to wrinkles and pigmentation. They are present all year round and can even pass through clouds and glass.

UVB rays affect the top layer of the skin and are responsible for sunburn. They are strongest in the summer and during the middle of the day.

SPF 15 / 30 / 50 which should you choose?

Personally, I recommend SPF 30 or higher for the face, ideally SPF 50+ if possible.

How to apply SPF

Do your usual morning routine cleanser, serum, moisturiser. Then wait a few minutes and apply your SPF as the final step.

You’ll often hear the recommendation of around ½ teaspoon for the face and neck. My face is quite big so I probably use a little more.

Don’t forget areas people often miss
• Ears
• Neck
• Down to the décolletage

Give the SPF a minute or two to settle, and then you can apply make up over the top, but it’s important to reapply SPF throughout the day, especially if you’re outdoors. A spray or mist SPF can make this easier.

No sunscreen is perfect it’s a synthetic material after all. But in my books wearing SPF daily is always better than wearing none at all. Bear in mind, not one solution is great for everyone, potentially you may have to kiss a few frogs to find the right one!

Your future skin will thank you for it.

Research reference
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3790843/

"If your budget only stretches to one product, make it sunscreen."