Everything to Know About SPF Skincare

Did you know the sun is directly responsible for up to 90% of aging skin?

UVA rays reach the deeper layers of the skin, damaging collagen and elastin, and causing sun spots, pigmentation, and premature aging. Using an SPF daily (even in the winter) can help shield your skin against the sun’s harmful rays. We also suggest adding a Vitamin C serum – as well as other antioxidant-based products – into the mix because it is effective at inhibiting tyrosinase to decrease melanin production, so by using it alongside a daily SPF, you can boost your SPF’s efficacy, which means you’re even less likely to experience signs of premature aging.

The ABC's of SPF'sThe ABC's of SPF's Shop SPF CollectionShop SPF Collection

What exactly is SPF?

SPF stands for “sun protection factor,” and it’s how we measure the protection from the sun’s UVB rays. For example, SPF 15 blocks 93% of UVB rays, SPF 30 blocks 97%, and SPF 50 blocks 98%. Experts recommend staying between 30 and 60 SPF—it's sufficient protection without feeling a false sense of complete sun protection with an option over 60. Ideally, Ideally, we should wear for an SPF in the 50's on our faces every single day to protect our precious skin from the harmful UV rays.

At a Glance

What SPF Means

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. It measures the level of protection a topical sunscreen will give you from UVB, which is one type of ultraviolette (UV) rays that is emitted by the sun. SPF prevents sun damage by absorbing or reflecting UV rays.

01 What SPF Does

The two types of sunscreen (physical and chemical) work similarly; neither is necessarily “better” than the other. Both absorb UV radiation to protect your skin, but physical sunscreen also reflects UV light.

02 Why SPF Matters

Exposure to UV radiation increases your risk of skin cancer, and it’s estimated that about 80-90% of skin’s aging comes from the sun. Sunscreen is critically important to preventing premature signs of aging + hyperpigmentation.

03

UV / Sun Protection Primer

Ultraviolet (UV) Rays

Types of UV Rays

Of three types of UV rays in total, the sun emits two different types of ultraviolet radiation that reach the Earth's surface: UVA and UVB. The former penetrates deep into the skin, while UVB rays are shorter, burning the surface of skin. There's also UVC, which is the highest energy, but these rays are stopping by the Ozone layer.

"The Broader The Better"

Benefits of Broad-Spectrum Sunscreens

You’ll want to make sure your sunscreen is “broad-spectrum,” meaning it protects from both UVA and UVB rays. An easy way to distinguish the two is UVA(ging) and UVB(urning). Both rays have overlapping effects (i.e. both can cause burns and premature aging), but UVA rays are mostly responsible for fine lines and dark spots, while UVB rays play the most significant role in producing skin cancers and sunburns.

Mineral / Physical vs. Chemical

SPF Essentials

TYPES OF SUNSCREEN

There are two main types of sunscreen: physical (a.k.a. mineral) and chemical. Both absorb the sun’s UV rays to help prevent skin damage, but physical sunscreen can reflect some UV rays. Neither is necessarily better than the other, they just use different active ingredients. Chemical SPF's use actives like avobenzone, homosalate. Physical SPF will contain zinc and/or titanium dioxide.

Sunscreen isn’t just for those summer days outside. UVA rays can penetrate your windows, plus blue light from your screens may cause skin damage—so make sure to wear SPF on cloudy days, rainy days, and the days when you’re staying indoors. Thus: the best sunscreen for you is the one you’ll want to wear each and every day. Some sunscreens may blend into your skin tone better, you may like the tint or scent some provide more than others, and so on. But rest assured, Cadella offers a perfect pick for you.

SPF’s Golden Rule: Wear one every day.

One of the biggest beauty blunders that many of us make is not wearing SPF every single day. It might sound over the top, but ask any dermatologist or watch any celebrity beauty regimen vlog and they’ll tell you to wear face sun screen everyday, all year round; especially during the summer when it’s the hottest and we all spend more time outside.