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Most of us know that the sun’s rays aren’t our friends – no matter how nice they feel against our skin. Yet so many men and women choose to skip
Many men view SPF as a “beauty product”, and while it will help preserve your beauty in the long run, there’s a lot more that it’s useful for.
Here’s everything you need to know about the rules of SPF for men.
An SPF lotion protects your skin against the sun’s UV radiation. There are two main types of ultraviolet rays that can harm the skin: UVA and UVB. UVA rays are the ones that cause sun-induced skin ageing. This can include everything from wrinkles and dark spots to a leathery skin texture. UVB, on the other hand, creates sunburns. Both play a part in causing skin cancer.
“The damage that men’s skin can undergo from not wearing SPF is identical to the damage that women’s skin faces – it’s just that women tend to notice the signs sooner,” explains Charlotte McHale, Clarins Training Manager. “But just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it isn’t there.”
But absolutely nothing is worth skipping your SPF for.
Research reveals that men are worse at sticking to a good SPF habit than women. In a 2017
“SPF” is short for Sun Protection Factor, which is usually indicated by a number on the sunscreen labels. What do these numbers mean? They indicate the level of protection from UVB rays that the product offers.
The British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) explains: “SPFs are rated on a scale of 6-50+ based on the level of protection, with ratings between 6 to 14 forming the least protected end of the spectrum and ratings of 50+ offering the strongest forms of UVB protection.”
You want at least an SPF 30 (ideally 50), such as the Clarins
In addition, make sure to look for UVA protection on your sunscreen label. Sometimes, this is indicated with the term ‘broad spectrum’. According to the EU Recommendation, sunscreens with the right amount of UVA protection will have the letters ‘UVA’ printed in a circle on the packaging.
Best overall
If you’re going on holiday
If you have oily skin
Having oily skin is no excuse to ignore SPF.
If you are particularly SPF-averse
If all else fails, club your sunscreen and moisturiser steps together. The SPF in this isn’t high enough to protect you on a sunny day spent outdoors, but it will help you on a regular day with minimal exposure.
As McHale puts it, “The best SPF is the one you put on your face. It doesn’t matter which one you choose, as long as you put it on.”
You should apply the sunscreen all over the face, tops of the ears, neck, the back of the neck, the top of the head (if you have a shaved head or a bald spot) and all other exposed body areas. Make sure you apply an even layer all over.
You should apply it daily: in sunny, cloudy, and even rainy or shadowy climates.
What about if you’re barely exposed to the sun, you ask? Like, if you’re just driving to work and sitting in an office all day? We’ve all seen the picture of the truck driver, with 28 years’ worth of evident sun damage on the side of his face that was closer to the window. “The car is a greenhouse on wheels,” says McHale. “No matter where you’re going, if there’s a car journey involved, don’t skip SPF.”
There’s only one scenario where it’s acceptable to skin sunscreen: If you work from home, don’t plan to make any trips outside (even to the garden) and don’t sit by a window, feel free to give it a break.
The short answer is yes. Your skin is completely vulnerable to sun damage if you have stubble or a thin beard. On the other hand, if your beard is dense, it will cover and protect your skin to some extent. But it’s not enough – the sun’s rays can still reach the skin underneath.
So, work that sunscreen into your beard too. If you have a dark beard, mineral (or physical) sunscreens can leave you with a white cast. These include ingredients like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.
To avoid this, look for chemical sunscreens or moisturisers that include SPF, as they’re more likely to disappear into the skin completely.
“If you’re doing an activity that makes you super sweaty, causing you to wipe or wash your face often, then you definitely need to think about reapplying your SPF after a few hours,” advises McHale. “Similarly, if you’re on holiday and going to be in and out of the pool (or the sea), you need to reapply often.”
If applied correctly, one application should cover you on a non-sweaty day. But make sure you choose a broad-spectrum formula with a high sun protection factor. And use enough of it.
Less-is-more doesn’t apply here. The exact amount you must use depends on the formula you choose. But in general, if you’re using a lotion, the BAD recommends at least six full teaspoons (approximately 36 grams) to cover the body of an average adult. That should get you through the day unscathed.
