Why Daily SPF Is Your Skin's Best Defence: UVA, UVB & Long-Term Protection
At Sun & Skin, we believe that great skin starts with smart protection. One of the most powerful steps you can take to maintain a youthful, healthy complexion isn’t expensive or complicated — it’s wearing sunscreen every single day, rain or shine.
Let’s dive into why daily SPF is essential, especially for your face, and how it protects against the visible signs of ageing, skin cancer, and more.
Understanding UVA and UVB Rays
The sun emits two main types of ultraviolet (UV) radiation that affect our skin: UVA and UVB.
- UVA rays (think A for ageing) penetrate deeply into the skin. They cause long-term damage like wrinkles, loss of elasticity, and hyperpigmentation. These rays are present all year round, even on cloudy days and through windows.
- UVB rays (think B for burning) affect the top layers of the skin. They are responsible for sunburn, inflammation, and direct DNA damage that can lead to skin cancer.
Both types contribute to photoaging (premature ageing due to sun exposure) and increase your risk of skin cancer, including melanoma, the most dangerous form.
The Face: Where Sun Damage Shows First
Our faces are one of the most exposed parts of the body, receiving daily sun exposure whether we're walking outdoors or sitting by a window. Over time, UV exposure on unprotected skin leads to visible signs of ageing, including:
- Fine lines and deep wrinkles
- Uneven skin tone and dark spots
- Redness and broken capillaries
- Rough texture and dryness
- Sagging or loss of firmness
Even if you don’t burn easily, cumulative sun damage adds up. Studies show that up to 80% of visible skin ageing is caused by UV exposure, not genetics.
SPF: Your Everyday Armour Against UV Damage
Wearing a broad-spectrum SPF (which protects against both UVA and UVB rays) is one of the most effective ways to slow down the ageing process and reduce your risk of skin cancer.
Why You Should Wear SPF Every Day — Yes, Even When It's Cloudy:
- UVA rays can penetrate clouds and glass, meaning your skin is still exposed even indoors or when the sun isn’t shining.
- Daily SPF helps maintain your skin's collagen and elasticity, keeping it smoother, firmer, and more youthful for longer.
- It can reduce the risk of developing sunspots, melasma, and other forms of hyperpigmentation.
- Long-term SPF use has been shown to prevent the development of precancerous skin changes and reduce the risk of non-melanoma skin cancers.
What Kind of SPF Should You Use?
Look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. For the face, choose a formula that suits your skin type — lightweight, non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores), and ideally containing additional antioxidants for extra protection.
Reapply every 2 hours if you're spending time outdoors, sweating, or swimming. And yes, apply it 365 days a year — because the sun never takes a day off.
Find your perfect sunscreen here.
The Bottom Line
Protecting your skin from UVA and UVB rays isn’t just about avoiding sunburn — it’s about preserving your skin’s health and appearance for the future. By making SPF a part of your morning routine, you're making a daily investment in your skin's longevity.
At Sun & Skin, we encourage you to treat sunscreen not as an optional beauty product, but as a daily essential, just like brushing your teeth or drinking water.
Protect now. Glow later. Your future self will thank you!