Why is SPF So important for my skin?
Sunlight consists of a spectrum of rays, we call them: Visible light, Ultraviolet Light (known as UV) and Infrared light.
For today's short read, we'll be covering Sunscreen and why it's so important for us to use it to protect our skin against Ultraviolet light.
Before we go on, below are the 2 commonly discussed rays of sunlight that cause negative effects on your skin.
The 2 commonly discussed categories of Sunlight
- UVB
- UVA
I. UVB - Think B for Sunburn
If you have ever suffered from or currently suffering from sunburn, you must know that the UVB rays are responsible for it. Not only that, UVB is also entirely instrumental in causing many skin cancers. You may already be aware of the deadly skin cancer in the form of a black mole. We refer to it as malignant melanoma.
II. UVA - Think A for ageing
We cannot underestimate the damaging powers of the UVA rays, either. They, too, are detrimental as they play an active part in forming cancers in the skin. UVA rays are also quite active in causing changes in your skin. This includes premature aging, owing to their powers of penetration deep into your skin. This is also known as photoaging.
The sunlight contains around five hundred times more rays of UVA than UVB. Since UVA rays exist in a larger number, they attack your skin in more ways. For this reason, you will note several sunscreen products, with traditional chemicals, flooding the markets. Most of them are quite useful in blocking the potential damage UVA, and UVB rays can cause.
How does Sunscreen protect Me against UVA and UVB?
Sunscreen is your most efficient combatant against the Sun's harmful ultraviolet rays. Present in two types, UVB and UVA rays can each cause a particular kind of damage to your skin.
UVB rays are responsible for causing sunburn, but they cannot penetrate through glass. On the other hand, UVA rays can reach through the glass and damage your skin. For instance, damage can still occur when you are driving. Or sitting indoors near a glass window with sunlight coming through. Therefore it is important to apply sunscreen even when you’reworking from home or the office.
Sunscreen can either work as a physical sunblocks that reflect sunlight, others absorb the sunlight and convert it to negligible levels of heat that you won't even notice.
It is crucial to find a sunscreen claiming broad-spectrum protection because both kinds of rays cause cancer. No skin type or color is immune to skin cancer, and thus it is essential to invest in a high-quality sunscreen.
So what is SPF and why is it important to me?
SPF, known as Sun Protection Factor, gives you an estimate of how reduced the menace of skin damage is from the Sun's rays. The SPF number is a reflection of how effective the sunscreen will be when you use it.
The SPF also considers the length of time it would take the UVB rays to pierce through your sunscreen and cause skin redness. This entire estimate occurs in comparison to when you would have no sunscreen on.
Experts calculate this factor by dividing the requisite dose of sun radiation to cause redness with the required dose to cause reddening in the absence of sunscreen. In the shape of a formula, it would read as follows:
SPF=Dose of sun radiation with a sunscreen/ dose of sun radiation in the absence of sunscreen
For example, if certain UV conditions mean that your skin would start turning red in ten minutes if unprotected, then a sunscreen with an SPF 30 would keep this occurrence for five hours or three hundred minutes. This level is approximately thirty times more.
However, one thing you must take note of is that a higher SPF does not imply that you can spend long hours in the Sun.
SPF’s Ability to Block UV Rays
The percentage of protection that sunscreens containing different SPFs are:
· SPF 50 blocks UVB rays at 98%,which is almost a complete block
· SPF 30 can filter 97% of UVB rays
· SPF 15 can keep all UVB rays away up to 93%
Why You Don't Need More Than 50 SPF
The Sun Protection Factor (SPF) is merely a measuring stick that tells you how much protection your sunscreen offers from the UVB. You may have been lead to believe that an SPF 100 would double your protection in comparison to SPF 50. However, products with higher SPF only provide marginally better protection against UVB according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Additionally, SPF50 products tend to be oilier in texture and may have a residual sticky feel, which can be uncomfortable.
SPF 30 offers 97 percent protect against UVB radiation, SPF around 98 percent and SPF 100 around 99 percent protection. So realistically speaking it's a 1% difference that won't mean much across a period of only a few hours before you would need to reapply sunscreen anyway.
As your day progresses, perspiration and wiping your face does remove sunscreen. So we always advise reapplication of sunscreen every 4 to 6 hours to be on the safe side.
Final Thoughts
Your skin is vulnerable to potential damage each time you venture out in the Sun without sunscreen on. UVB and UVA rays present in the Sun can cause many skin issues, from sunburn, discoloration to skin cancer. It is imperative to protect your skin with a good protection agent, with a high SPF.
"I have very sensitive skin and have to be on a strict skin regime. I was very pleasantly surprised to realise that the moisturiser is light and fully absorbed with no greasy feeling.
Even better that I had no outbreaks at all throughout the duration of 1 bottle usage (about 2-3 mths: loved it, used daily). Ladies with sensitive hormonal skin will appreciate what I said. Before Auolive, I am only able to use (doctor’s brand) sunblock in the morning." - Wai Mung
BEST SELLER
BEST SELLER
The DAY GLOWER is an all-in-one antioxidant brightening moisturiser that protects and hydrates your skin during the day.
✔ Moisturises Your Skin
✔ SPF 30 with UVA/UVB Protection
✔ Protects Against Premature aging and damage from UV Rays and pollutants
✔ Brightens your skin
✔ Acts as a Primer
✔ Absorbs immediately with no sticky feel
Size: 30ml - lasts about 60-90 days with daily application
Use the code: Sunshine to receive $20 off your order!
Retail Price:
Your Price:
& Free Delivery in Singapore
You Save:
100% Money Back Guarantee
The DAY GLOWER is an all-in-one antioxidant brightening moisturiser that protects and hydrates your skin during the day.
✔ Moisturises Your Skin
✔ SPF 30 with UVA/UVB Protection
✔ Protects Against Premature aging and damage from UV Rays and pollutants
✔ Brightens your skin
✔ Acts as a Primer
✔ Absorbs immediately with no sticky feel
Size: 30ml - lasts about 60-90 days with daily application
Use the code: Sunshine to receive $20 off your order!
Our Promise: Love our products or your money back in 30 Days.
We stand behind our products. If for any reason at all you are not completely satisfied with your AUOLIVE products, let us know. We offer a full refund or exchange an unsatisfactory product for another one if returned within 30 days.
Write to us at info@auolive.com.
We take all the risk out of your purchase by offering an UNMATCHED satisfaction guarantee. Our customers matter to us and we do our best to take care of you!
100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEE!
"Enriched with natural active ingredients like Vitamin C, this small but mighty Day Glower even doubles up as a makeup primer, a single application imparts a nice brightening glow! Perfect so I can skip all the other products especially when I’m in a hurry but would like to have sun protection (a definite YES!)
I also need to mention how much I love the Auolive’s Airless Pump Bottle technology which prevents ingredients from exposure to air (thus decreasing effectiveness) and it’s also child-proof(ding ding ding!) coz my kids tried to open it but failed! No mess, no wastage! It’s leak-proof too! So great for travel…Glides on like a dream I must say, easily absorbed in skin with no sticky after feel. All in all I find this a really handy skincare product and I love the added sunscreen protection and natural glow that it gives, without the need for makeup as it evens out my skin tone. (See Before/After pics below) The Day Glower left my skin feeling soft and it has a slight mattifying effect without making my complexion feeling greasy like some other day creams." - Elaine
I noticed a fairer and more even skin tone after use too! Best thing is, the Day Glower is suitable for all skin types (mine’s combination skin)! - Vivien Y.
"I love the lightweight and non-greasy texture, which glides on beautifully and absorbs readily into your skin. Despite our humid climate, my face does not feel oily when I am outdoors. As anti-ageing ingredients tend to age quickly in a normal jar or bottle, Auolive's Korean Airless Pump Bottle technology prevents ingredients from getting exposed to the air for optimal results. It prevents contamination as well as wastage and spills too! Perfect for travelers!"
Regina
"After 2 weeks - skin is clearer, supple and less of uneven tone
I like the idea of not using toner after cleansing, but after trying that for 5 days, I went back to the 3-steps routine: cleanse, tone and moisturiser. However, the Day Glower product comes with sun screen protection, thus, the thought of not needing another sun block product is quite a relieve. I like the non-greasy, matte feeling which lasts throughout the day, this is a big plus for me . After two weeks of using Day Glower and Night Booster, my skin condition improved and seems more hydrated."
Phang Chuay Mei
Great product with great texture! Non-greasy and light-weight.
The Day Glower is a great product! It is non-greasy and skin is immediately nourished. Just dabbing on a little makes enough coverage and yet does not have a dry feeling. Plus it absorbs well.
Sarah, Educator, 30
Is there a woman who hasn’t splashed a little water on her face and called it a night?
You should be able to simplify your skincare routine and use just a few items that allow you to look your best! For the modern woman, going through the Korean 10 step regimen daily, which takes hours to do just isn’t realistic if you have a job!
Our founder, Claire, had this exact problem. She was knee-deep in the corporate world and described at best as “haggard-looking” by her friends after a stint of long nights at the office.
And she wasn’t alone, she found that there were plenty of working women who had the exact same problem! Constant Late Nights and early mornings had started to literally show on their faces.
So after 2 years of R&D with a laboratory in Switzerland, she created Auolive, a brand that uses natural active ingredients in all its multi-functional products for the best possible results for you!
We fully believe that skincare should never be a hassle and have spent a lot of time condensing all your skincare needs into 4 simple, multiple Award-Winning products.
No Parabens, No Mineral Oils, No alcohol, absolutely Cruelty Free and Colouring free for your peace of mind. Combined with cutting edge technology in each product, every single one of our products was purpose built for the busy Modern woman on the go!
What women are saying about us...
“Auolive's products are a godsend for me amidst my busy schedule. I travel really often for work and sometimes at short notice. So I just bring Auolive products along and I know I'm set for any trip, any weather!” — Angela