Could two-in-one cosmetics that smooth the appearance of your skin and deliver SPF be the answer to save time in your beauty routine? It seems not. Unfortunately, while the beauty industry is overflowing with makeup products containing SPF including foundations, primers and even powders, they just don’t get the job done on their own and should by no means replace sunscreen altogether.
Many people think that having an SPF in their moisturiser or foundation will suffice as protection against the sun’s harmful rays. But, it’s important to remember that SPF only refers to protection against UVB. UVA is a longer wavelength that can penetrate glass. It’s the main wavelength that damages our collagen and also can increase our risk of skin cancer.
Therefore, a factor 50 sunscreen with both UVB and UVA protection and preferably anti-oxidants are the safest to protect against the more visible light spectrum. The British Association of Dermatology said, “SPF used in moisturisers are tested the same way as sunscreens, so an SPF 15 moisturiser should provide an SPF of 15. However, these formulas are less likely to be rub-resistant and water-resistant, and most importantly are likely to be applied a lot more thinly than sunscreen. They therefore are unlikely to offer the same level of protection.
“A moisturiser with an SPF will help protect you against small amounts of UV exposure, such as when you walk to the car or pop outside to hang out the washing, but sunscreen is better suited for longer, more deliberate UV exposure, such as spending your lunch hour outside.”
Cosmetics containing SPF aren’t completely pointless. However, they should be used in conjunction with sunscreen and other SPF products.
A new British Journal of Dermatology study provides information that may help explain why many people experience eczema and dry skin in the winter.
In tests of skin on 80 adults, the levels of breakdown products of filaggrin — a protein that helps maintain the skin’s barrier function — changed between winter and summer on the cheeks and hands. Changes were also seen regarding the texture of corneocytes, cells in the outermost part of the skin’s epidermis.
“This study shows clearly that the skin barrier is affected by climatic and seasonal changes. Both children and adults suffer from red cheeks in the winter in northern latitudes and some may even develop more permanent skin conditions such as atopic eczema and rosacea,” said senior author Dr. Jacob Thyssen, of the University of Copenhagen, in Denmark.
Nina Goad of the British Association of Dermatologists said: “We already know that humidity can affect the texture of the skin and impact on skin disorders like eczema, and humidity fluctuates according to season. In the winter, rapidly changing temperatures, from heated indoors to cold outdoors environments, can affect the capillaries, and prolonged exposure to wet weather can strip the skin’s barrier function.” – sciencedaily.com
