What is SPF & Why is it Important?

Designed to protect your skin from harmful UV rays, SPF is an essential addition to your skincare regimen – not just for summer, but all year round!

Want to learn why? Keep reading to find answers to ‘what is SPF?’, ‘how does it work?’ and exactly why SPF products should be an unskippable part of your routine…

What is SPF?

Let’s start with the basics.

The letters SPF stand for Sun Factor Protection, and is a relative measurement for how much an SPF product can protect you from UV rays. As you’ve probably seen, SPFs come in various strengths such as SPF 20, SPF 30 & SPF 50. This number indicates how well it prevents sun damage from UVB rays – not how long it protects you for.

Confused? We’ve got you. Let’s consider the difference between SPF 15 vs SPF 30.

According to a BBC Health article, an SPF 15 sunscreen only allows one-fifteenth of the sun’s rays to reach your skin – which is about 7%. This means it filters out around 93% of harmful UVB rays. An SPF 30 on the other hand, only allows one-thirtieth of these rays in. This works out as 3%, or about 97% protection.

Basically, the higher the number, the better an SPF skincare product is for your skin. But it’s worth remembering that all of these are effective when they are applied correctly.

Another thing to know is that SPF sunscreens are available in two forms: chemical and mineral.

• Chemical sunscreens create a thin protective layer on top of your skin that can absorb UV rays when they hit your skin, converting it into non-damaging heat. These can include ingredients like Oxybenzone, Homosalate, and others.

• Mineral sunscreens create a physical barrier to reflect the sun’s rays away from the skin’s surface before they can be absorbed. The primary ingredients for these sunscreens are Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide.

The good news is that both chemical and mineral sunscreens protect against both UVA & UVB rays. The choice between them is ultimately personal preference.

What are UV rays?

So, we know what SPF is – but what about what it protects us from? What are UV rays, and why are they harmful? 

There are two types of UV rays that are harmful to the skin: UVA & UVB. There are a couple of differences between these that mean they affect your skin in their own ways. At a glance, the main differences are:

UVA 

UVA rays account for around 95% of UV radiation. While they’re less intense, they have long wavelengths which means they can penetrate farther into skin, steadily destroying key substances in the skin that give it its firmness and elasticity. 

This is why UVA is associated with ageing your skin and causing wrinkles. As a response to this damage, your skin will darken to try and reduce future damage – which is why we tan.

Pro tip: UVA can beam through windows and cloud cover, so SPF skincare is a must-have every day – even if you’re staying indoors. 

UVB

UVB rays have shorter wavelengths, which means that they tend to stay more surface level and affect the top layers of the skin. The most common effect of UVB light? Sunburn. 

If you’re seeing visible changes to skin’s surface, including discolouration, it’s most likely caused by UVB; overexposure to this type of radiation means that some of us will suffer from skin pigmentation or sun spots over the years. Not to get too scary, but UVB radiation also plays a role in the development of some skin cancers.

Considering their differences, your sunscreen and SPF skincare needs to put in the work to protect your skin – which is where we get broad spectrum SPF…

What is broad spectrum SPF?

Broad Spectrum SPF basically means that the SPF is formulated to protect from both UVA and UVB rays; maximising the potential of your SPF to keep your skin as safe as possible!

Old sunscreen formulas or SPF skincare products only used to protect from UVB, since we could feel the effects on the skin. But, UVA rays are considered the sun’s silent killers; because, unlike UVB rays, you don’t feel the effects of UVA rays damaging your skin. 

You know those days where you think ‘Ah, it's cloudy, I won't need my SPF’… you’re wrong.

Those are the days where UVA rays are shining the most and your skin is at risk, so SPF is key no matter what. Since UVA isn’t filtered out by windows, you should even be wearing it indoors and in the car for more protection.

How can you tell if your sunscreen or SPF skincare is broad spectrum?

Obviously, to protect your skin, you want a broad spectrum sunscreen. But how can you tell?

According to sun safety advice from the NHS, there are a few things you should look out for to understand if your SPF & skincare is broad spectrum:

• The SPF number: the number after SPF accounts for the UVB protection of your sunscreen. The higher the number, the better the protection.

• The star rating: some sunscreens and SPF skincare use a star rating to show the amount of UVA protection. Again, the higher the number, the better the protection.

• The PA+ rating: some international SPF skincare products use a PA+ rating instead of stars to explain UVA protection. However, it works exactly the same way – so look for products with lots of pluses.

• UVA in a circle: on European sunscreens, look for the letters UVA in a circle. This means that UVA accounts for at least a third of the SPF value and meets EU guidelines.

Bottom line: SPF is essential

Taking a moment to be totally serious, SPF, in sunscreen and skincare, is an absolutely vital part of looking after your skin. Whether you’re 13 or 30, SPF helps to protect you from deep and superficial sun damage – so make sure it’s part of your every day routine.

The Sculpted SPF range

Adding SPF skincare to your routine is such an easy way to boost protection and make sure you keep your lovely radiant glow. At Sculpted by Aimee, we have a super SPF collection built to protect your skin while leaving you feeling fresh and ready for the day.

Beauty Base

Finish your skincare routine on a high note with our Beauty Base Moisturising Primers – and get between SPF 30 - 50 broad spectrum protection!

We’ve thought of everything:

• The base formula of our beauty bases all contain Hyaluronic Acid for skin hydration and Peptides for skin-plumping & conditioning, so your skin feels soft and smooth.

• Beauty Base Original, Pearl and Rose Golden all contain SPF 30 broad spectrum protection from UVA and UVB rays – while also containing light-reflecting pearlized pigments for a gorgeous glow to the skin.

• Beauty Base Protect contains SPF 50 broad spectrum protection and instead of there being a pearlescent glow to the primer, it is a universal peach tint to even out all skin tones! 

The great thing about Beauty Base is that whilst you're receiving your SPF protection, it also gives the skin a soft, blurring effect – so you can wear this on its own for your no makeup days. You still receive all the same skin loving ingredients and SPF protection no matter which one you choose.

Tint & Glow

Next in the line up of skin loving products that provide you with that much needed SPF Protection is Tint & Glow – our multi-tasking tinted moisturiser and SPF!

A sheer and glowy base with just enough coverage to even out your skin tone, Tint & Glow contains Hyaluronic Acid for hydration and Niacinamide for antioxidant protection. It’s also a broad spectrum SPF 30 broad spectrum to protect against UVA and UVB rays for a safer, sun-kissed glow.

But we haven’t stopped there. Our Tint & Glow contains carrot extract to provide blue light protection from harmful blue rays from our screens – making it a real triple threat of SPF skincare.

Pro tip: blue light rays are the ones emitted from our screens, laptops, phones, tvs etc. These rays are shorter and therefore have more energy, and they can be very harmful to our skin and potentially cause changes in our skin cells! The carrot extract in Tint & Glow acts as a defensive barrier on the skin to protect against these rays.

Second Skin Foundation

We also cannot forget about our beloved Second Skin Dewy Foundation with SPF 50 PA+++ protection! Second Skin is our 100% mineral foundation with a medium, buildable coverage that leaves the skin looking illuminated and radiant.

We love our breathable formula that gives coverage to the skin, and provides lots of added skin benefits so you can feel guilt free and protected when wearing it. The broad spectrum SPF 50 PA+++ formula protects your skin against UVA and UVB rays, helping to keep you safer in the sun.

The best thing? There's no flashback so you don't have to worry about looking like a ghost in any of your photos thanks to the talc-free formula; and it is available in 30 shades, so rest assured there is a shade for everyone.

Sun Mist

Ever struggled to top up your SPF when you’re wearing makeup? Then say hello to our Sun Mist SPF 50 Spray. Specifically designed to lay over makeup, this is a must-have SPF skincare product for when you’re out and about.

As a spray, Sun Mist won’t disturb your makeup like a cream could. Plus, it leaves no colour residue and no sticky tacky feeling either like a lot of SPFs can do. Sun Mist is gentle on the skin; with Vitamin E and Apricot Oil for hydration, this SPF refreshes and protects simultaneously – and it’s non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog your pores. 

Offering an ultra-protective SPF 50 PA+++ for your delicate facial skin, our Sun Mist is another layer of protection to help you look and feel your best.

SPF Skincare: FAQs

Knowing what we now do about SPF and protecting your skin from the sun, we bet you still have some questions. We’ve got you covered with our FAQs section.

What is the best way to apply sunscreen or SPF skincare?

To give your sunscreen and SPF skincare the best chance to protect you, you need to make sure you’re applying it correctly. 

For starters, you need to make sure you’re using the right amount of SPF. Most adults don’t use enough sunscreen – the average person should use about 6-8 teaspoons (35ml minimum) to cover their whole body.

For your face, we recommend following the 2 Finger Rule. Cover two of your fingers from the crease of your palm to your fingertips with your SPF skincare and apply all over your face. This should be enough to protect your skin (but don't forget to reapply regularly throughout the day).

You also need to make sure you don’t miss a spot. Any skin that is exposed to the sun or not covered by clothing or a hat needs sunscreen. Don’t forget your ears, hands, tops of your feet, and even along your parting and on your head if your hair is thinner.

Is SPF 15 Enough?

While SPF 15 offers some protection from UVB rays, dermatologists recommend using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher for everyday use. This is especially important for extended sun exposure or if you have fairer skin.

How often should you reapply SPF to stay protected?

Sunscreen breaks down over time, especially with sweat and swimming. To maintain optimal protection, it’s important to reapply sunscreen every two hours at a minimum – or more frequently if you're in and out of the pool.

Pro tip: even waterproof SPFs need to be reapplied. Dry off straight away and top up your protection poolside for the best coverage.

How can I reapply my SPF if I’m wearing makeup?

As makeup lovers we know it can be tricky to top up your SPF coverage without disturbing your makeup, so look for sprays that can settle over your makeup without smudging it.

For an easy way to SPF over a full face, our go-to is obvious – our Sun Mist SPF 50 Spray. This can be used under or over makeup to refresh, hydrate and protect the skin.

Pro Tip: reapply your Sun Mist Spray every 2 hours over makeup to maintain your sun protection throughout the day. 

What should you look for in a good SPF product?

Understanding SPF is one thing. But, you need to know how to put all your new-found knowledge into practice – so that you can choose the best SPF skincare to protect your face (and everywhere else). When it comes to buying a new SPF product, we recommend looking out for:

• Broad spectrum protection: you want an SPF that protects from UVA and UVB. Don’t just look at the number – make sure you pay attention to any star or PA+ ratings too.

• Convenient: if you’re going to get the best from your SPF, you need to actually wear it. SPF sprays are super easy to use, and help you get those awkward or hard-to-reach places.

• Skin type: there are loads of different formulas you can choose from. If you’ve got dry skin, look for a moisturising SPF to boost your hydration. For oily or acne prone skin, keep an eye out for non-comedogenic formulas to avoid clogging your pores.

Sun safety made simple with Sculpted by Aimee

Without being scare mongers, the main message we want to impart is that it’s incredibly important to wear your SPF everyday – you’ll be doing yourself and your skin a big favour!

And without being biased... at least when you wear our Beauty Base, Tint & Glow and Second Skin Foundation, you're not only protected for the entire day, but your skin still looks absolutely flawless and naturally radiant.

(Yes we just loudly patted ourselves on the back!)

We hope you learned something new from this blog – but if you have any questions, DM us on Facebook, via @sculptedbyaimee on Instagram, or even ping us an email at hello@sculptedbyaimee.com to chat with us.

Lots of love,

Aimee & Team x

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