There’s plenty of conflicting advice about how much SPF to apply, but it’s widely accepted that most of us just don’t slather on enough of it. Official National Health Service guidelines advise using two teaspoons of sunscreen for your head, arms and neck, or two tablespoons for your entire body. But in case you don’t want to treat your sun protection like you’re baking a cake, Colbert says you can use SPF “just like a moisturiser—enough to lightly cover the skin.”
When it comes to applying SPF, you should do so about 30 minutes before you head outside. I apply it as the last step in my skincare routine before doing my hair and makeup. However, if it’s a summer’s day, you’re advised to reapply it just before you leave the house and every couple of hours that you’re outside. If you really want to save time, then opt for beauty products that have SPF built in. There are plenty of moisturisers, foundations, lip balms and hair sprays that are formulated with sun protection so you don’t have to worry about applying it separately. However, you shouldn’t rely on SPF in makeup such as foundation, for example, as you’d need to apply a lot of it to get enough SPF protection. So, it’s always best to use a dedicated SPF before make-up.
Now, for the most important question—do we need to wear SPF every day in the UK? “I’d say if it’s a rainy day, you could skip it,” Colbert cautiously advised. “However, we’re exposed to UV rays even on a cloudy day.” If you’re cautious about ageing, Colbert advises wearing an SFP 30 daily. “If you introduce SPF as part of your daily routine, you’ll escape the ageing rays of the sun and your skin will age at a slower rate.”
