Can I skip sun protection on a cloudy day?
No. It’s important to get into the habit of wearing a SPF15+ everyday, no matter what the weather is as UVB rays are reduced by cloud but UVA rays are not. This means that on a cloudy day you won’t get a serious case of sunburn but you can still permanently damage your skin. Shade does not reduce the effects of the sun and you must also be aware of sunlight reflecting from the ground onto your skin.

If I can’t see any irregularities on my skin, does that mean there is no damage?
There can be periods of up to 20 years between sun damage and the appearance of skin cancer, but a tan itself is proof that damage has already occurred. Tanning is like getting a callous as its the bodys way of protecting itself from external attack. In the case of tanning, the skin responds to the suns rays by producing more pigmentation. If there was no damage occurring, your skin wouldn’t tan.

Can you mix an SPF4 and an SPF6 and get an SPF10?
The answer quite simply is no. Sunscreens aren’t cumulative. You can’t mix different brands and or protection factors in an attempt to get a higher protection. The fact is that by mixing for example an SPF10 with an SPF15 you could be actually diluting the strength and end up rendering both sunscreens useless. It is always best to just choose one brand and protection factor that you like and stick with it.

Help, I have a sunscreen rash?
The first thing to do is to get out of the sun immediately and remove all your make up, perfume and your sunscreen. Ask your pharmacist, local drug store, for a product that will relieve the rash and If it doesn’t subside with in 48 hours, seek medical advice. Before you go into the sun again, do an allergy test with two different types of sunscreen. One which contains oxybenzone or PABA and the other containing titanium dioxide. You’ll probably find that you are allergic to one of the ingredients only, but if by chance you do have an allergic reaction to both of them, consult a dermatologist.

Why am I having a chemical reaction to the products that I am using?
Simply put sunscreens, cosmetics and perfumes commonly contain chemicals. When these chemicals combine with sweat, salt and heat, you can end up with skin discoloration, a rash or even photosensitivity. At the beach, keep your products to a minimum. Hypo allergenic, fragrance free skin products and alcohol free perfumes are best.

Which should I apply first, my sunblock or my moisturizer?
Applying your moisturizer first will interfere far less with the sunscreen. However, sunscreens are rated on ‘clean, dry skin’, so its difficult to asses what sort of chemical interaction occurs between them and the moisturizers or just how well they are absorbed into the skin. Your safest bet is to use a moisturizer that incorporates an SPF. For extended periods in the outdoors, just stick with your sunblock as it’s the best anti aging cream that you can buy.

What’s the difference between a sunscreen and a sun block?
The word ’sunscreen’ is used as a generic term to cover both, but the fundamental difference between the two is the function. A sunscreen has a synthetic chemical composition and absorbs the sun’s rays. It tends to be lighter in texture and more easily absorbed. A sunblock has a mineral composition and acts like a mirror, reflecting light away from the skin. A sunblock normally has a high SPF as well as broad spectrum protection, so it’s a safe choice.

Is the skin on the rest of my body more resistant than my face?
It is estimated that 90 per cent of visible ageing is the result of exposure to the sun and the skin on your body isn’t any less susceptible. Think about how detracting a wrinkly neck looks next to a smooth, young looking face. It is important to consider your entire body and apply the same protection to your legs as you would to your face.

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