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  • Skincare Secrets: When To Apply Sunscreen in Skincare Routine For Best Results

The sun's rays are a blessing, brightening our lives with warmth and vitality, but they can also wreak havoc on our skin. Thankfully, there’s sunscreen — the silent protector standing guard against too much exposure.

This only emphasises the need to use sunscreen every day. Yet, despite the impressive range of options on the market today, including natural sunscreen, reef safe sunscreen, and even natural tinted sunscreen, one important consideration remains: when to apply sunscreen in skincare routine.

Let us simplify this for you. But first, let’s clear up what sunscreen does.


What Sunscreen Does

Sunscreen is the invisible shield protecting our skin from the harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun. Essentially, it scatters, absorbs, and reflects these harmful rays to minimise skin damage. The importance of sunscreen and sun-protection cannot be over-stressed especially when it comes to maintaining skin health.


Where Sunscreen Fits Into a Skincare Routine

This guide will walk you through the steps to ensure sunscreen is applied correctly for the best results, making it an indispensable part of your daily skin protection strategy.

  1. Cleansing: The first step in your skincare routine should always be to cleanse your face thoroughly. This removes any dirt, oil, and impurities from the skin, ensuring that the products you apply afterwards can be absorbed effectively.
  2. Toning and Treatment Products: Following cleansing, apply your toners, serums, or any treatment products.
  3. Moisturiser: After your skin treatments, apply your regular moisturiser. Moisturising helps to hydrate the skin and repair its barrier, providing a smooth base for sunscreen application.
  4. Sunscreen: Sunscreen should be the final skincare product you apply before makeup. It's important to apply it liberally and evenly to all exposed areas of the skin, ideally 20 minutes before you head outdoors. This allows the sunscreen to fully adhere to the skin, ensuring you are properly protected.
  5. Reapplication: It's crucial to reapply sunscreen every one to two hours, especially if you are swimming or sweating.
  6. Compatibility with Makeup: For those who wear makeup, it's beneficial to use sunscreens that can be comfortably layered underneath. While some makeup products contain SPF, they should not be relied upon as your sole form of sun protection. Instead, they can complement your standalone sunscreen for additional protection.

But if you’re wondering, ‘Which sunscreen should I include in my skincare routine?’ Here are a few factors you may want to consider:


The Science Behind Broad-Spectrum Protection

The sun emits two types of rays that reach the earth: UVA (long-wave) and UVB (short-wave). While UVB rays can result in visible sunburn and skin damage, UVA rays can penetrate deeply into the skin's thickest layer. This is where broad-spectrum sunscreen enters the scene. It helps protect against both UVA and UVB rays, ensuring your skin stays healthy and gorgeous. 

Teaming science with the wisdom of nature, broad-spectrum sunscreen goes beyond just saving you from a painful sunburn. It offers a myriad of benefits.

  • Even Skin Tone: By offering protection from sunburn and reducing your chance of getting a tan, broad-spectrum sunscreens contribute to maintaining an even skin tone.
  • Protection Year-Round: UVA rays remain constant throughout the year. Hence, your broad-spectrum sunscreen ensures skin protection from the sun, irrespective of the season.
  • Reduce Early Signs of Ageing: Acting as your skin's invisible shield, broad-spectrum sunscreen may help reduce signs of premature ageing caused by UVA rays, keeping those pesky wrinkles and fine lines at bay for a little longer.

Opt for Water Resistance 

It's no secret that sun protection often gets washed away with sweat or water during our outdoor activities. This is where water-resistant sunscreen shines. These sunscreens are specifically designed to maintain their protective layer on your skin even when you're making a splash or breaking a sweat. 

Your skincare routine will also benefit from longer-lasting sun protection if you choose water-resistant options. It’s a good consideration if you’re easily sweaty, but still make sure to reapply sunscreen as frequently. 

The journey from understanding the vital role of sunscreen to seamlessly integrating it into your skincare regimen underscores its importance as more than just a product but a crucial step in maintaining skin health, especially if maintaining a youthful look matters to you.

Consistency in application, coupled with mindful reapplication, is paramount to ensuring your skin has protection at all times. Embrace sunscreen as your skin's daily companion, not just during sunny days but year-round, to enjoy the sun's embrace safely. 


Key Points to Remember

As we've explored the multifaceted role of sunscreen in skincare, let's dispel the key takeaways to ensure you're equipped to protect your skin effectively against the sun's rays. 

  • Sunscreen as a Must-Have: Sunscreen is an indispensable part of your daily skincare routine, acting as an invisible shield against harmful UV rays to help prevent skin damage and reduce signs of premature ageing
  • Correct Application Timing: Sunscreen should be applied as the final step in your skincare routine. Apply it after cleansing, toning, treatment products, and moisturising, but before makeup.
  • Importance of Reapplication: Reapply sunscreen every one to two hours, especially after swimming, sweating, or towel drying, to maintain its protective barrier throughout the day.
  • Choosing Broad Spectrum Protection: Broad-spectrum sunscreens offer protection against both UVA and UVB rays, helping to provide protection against all forms of sun damage.
  • The Benefit of Water-Resistant Sunscreens: Water-resistant sunscreens are crucial for extended outdoor activities, providing durable protection even in wet or sweaty conditions.
  • Year-Round Protection: Sunscreen isn't just for summer or sunny days; it's essential for year-round protection.

At Little Urchin, we believe in harnessing the power of nature to create a healthier, more sustainable planet for everyone through our suncare products. Using our shared knowledge and dedication, we aim to promote well-being for communities and generations to come.