AceSparkleStar: SPF Facial Sun protection

SPF Face Sun Protection

With summer approaching and the sun hopefully making an appearance here in the UK (Finger's crossed!)
I thought I would break down the different ways of protecting your face from the sun.

SPF What is it?

This is a measure of how much UV radiation is required to produce sunburn on protected skin.

The higher the spf the more protection it provides against UV-B rays which are the ones that cause sunburn.

UVA rays are the one that don't cause sunburn on the skin but are cause DNA damage within the cells.

The sunscreen you need to you to provide effective protection is a 'Broad spectrum' UVA/UVB.

SPF Sunscreen

This one from La Roche Posay has a high SPF factor of 50+. I really like this sun cream

Suitable for sensitive skin and when applied dries to a matte to touch cream.

Not greasy or slippy. Doesn't leave a white residue.

This one provides both UVA & UVB protection.

SPF within your day moisturiser.

Day moisturisers can contain an spf, ideal if you aren't actually going to be in direct sunlight.

This one from La Roche Posay has a SPF of 15 which is a low rating. If you were going to be in direct sunlight you would need an additional sunscreen on the top. As part of the Rosaliac range this moisturiser is green but once applied doesn't leave a green tint to the face.

SPF within your BB or CC Cream

Again this is similar to SPF within moisturiser, only BB and CC creams have a tint and slight coverage.

The Origins BB cream has SPF 15 in it which is ideal to protect the skin if you aren't going to be in direct sunlight.

The La Roche Posay CC cream has a higher SPF of 30 and with it being a CC cream provides some concealment and coverage although not as much as a foundation.

Whilst it is great these have SPF in they are not recommended to protect on say a beach or swimming pool. Additional sunscreen is required.

Specific Face Sun cream / Block

Both of these provide protection from UVA and UVB rays.

The Soap & Glory Feel Good Factor has SPF 25.
Smells really nice! Isn't thick or greasy, feels like a moisturiser on with added benefit of SPF 25.

Clinique's Super City Block SPF 40

Provides a high protection to the face. A tinted sheer and light sunscreen. Again not greasy, oil free lovely and light to apply and suitable for sensitive skin. Really nice to wear, although it's tinted doesn't provide coverage as it is so sheer.

Mineral Powder Sunscreen

SPF 30 UVA/ UVB protection.

This powder sunscreen can be used on face and body. Uses titanium dioxide / zinc oxide to deflect the suns rays preventing them from being absorbed by the body.

Great for carrying around as all you do is twist the brush up and buff the powder onto your skin.

Easy to do and especially great for the children to use!!

SPF within your Liquid Foundation

Vichy Dermablend Foundation SPF 35

This is a high factor which is ideal for everyday, the foundation provides medium to high coverage and the spf protects your face from the sun's rays.

SPF included in your mineral powder foundation

The SPF included in mineral powder is titanium dioxide or zinc oxide which works by deflecting or scattering the suns rays away from your skin, so your body doesn't absorb any. Compared to sunscreen which works by absorbing the rays before they get to your skin.

SPF in your Primer Base

The idea of having spf in your primer is these are targeted to reduce redness, so having an spf in this will prevent any further redness occurring.

Clinique redness solutions Protective base spf 15. This is a priming base which is a balancing green, aimed at cancelling out any redness on the skin.

MAC prep & prime SPF 35. This is a yellow based primer. Again aimed at cancelling any red tones in the skin.