Dermatologists and skincare enthusiasts always recommend a daily dose of sunscreen, but you’d be forgiven if you’ve neglected it in your morning beauty routine.
Suffice it to say that, until recently, SPF formulas were far from ideal. Whether you opted for high-end or high-street products, it was hard to find products that weren’t sticky, greasy, stinging to the eyes, or dark products that didn’t leave a grey cast on the skin.
Sure, sunscreen is there to protect you, but that doesn’t mean you have to compromise. Why use sunscreen during the day?
While the idea of wearing SPF year-round has slowly caught on in the UK to protect the skin from cancer-causing UVA rays and prevent common skin issues like dark spots and fine lines, it’s fair to say that Australian skincare enthusiasts know a thing or two about the must-have skincare product.
After all, they get a lot more sun than we do. When Australian sunscreen brand Ultra Violette landed in Space NK last year (followed by Cult Beauty and Sephora), the hype was justified.
From lightweight sunscreen serums to hydrating face creams, these products have five-star reviews, and for good reason: they’re unlike anything skincare fans have tried before.
What’s the best SPF for oily, combination and dry skin? I first picked the Ultra Violette Super Supreme Screen Hydrating Facial Skinscreen SPF50+, £48. A few quick conversations with friends, family and colleagues revealed that many people aren’t sure about SPF 50 (it’s one of the highest factors and offers great protection) because they’re worried it’ll look chalky or feel heavy on the skin. That makes all the difference with this sunscreen. It’s nourishing enough to double as a moisturiser and primer, but light enough not to leave a white film (reviews agree). It targets dark spots and hyperpigmentation in two ways, and contains brightening vitamin C so you don’t need to layer a serum underneath. If you prefer fragrance-free products or have sensitive skin, try the Clean Screen Sensitive Skinscreen SPF 30 (£32), which is now my favourite (and I’m picky). This is a mineral sunscreen that reflects UV rays at your skin to prevent it from getting white. Two or three pumps work fast and the best part is you don’t feel like you’re wearing anything at all. I layer it over my moisturiser to boost hydration, but it’s so refreshing you can use it on its own too. If you’re acne-prone or have overly oily skin, you’ll love it. If you’re looking for a tinted sunscreen, look no further than Ultra Violette Daydream Screen SPF50 Tinted Veil (£38). 16 shades offer a pop of colour, combining your favourite tinted moisturiser with powerful sun protection.
Like the rest of the range, it feels less like a typical sunscreen and more like an everyday moisturiser, making it a breeze and a pleasure to use. The range also includes a hydrating lip balm (£16) in four colours (because your lips need sun protection too), an oil-controlling mineral SPF (£34) to curb shine, and a hand and body sunscreen (£27). Do you need an SPF refresh? Skincare expert Holly Thaggard, founder and CEO of Supergoop, says it’s important to reapply sunscreen every two hours to maximise its effectiveness, especially on sunny days outdoors! However, I admit that Ultra Violette may not be the cheapest sunscreen brand on the market. TikTok users rave about it
The affordable Garnier Ambre Solaire Super UV Face Fluid (£7.99) and Eucerin Sun Oil Control Face Protection Sunscreen SPF 50+ (£16) are suitable for oily and acne-prone skin and are available at Amazon and Boots.
Dermatologists also recommend Altruist Dermatoographer Sunscreen SPF 50, which is a steal at £4.99. If you wear make-up or don’t like to apply sunscreen with your hands, I would recommend Garnier’s Ambre Solaire Sensitive
Face Sunscreen Spray SPF 50 is available for £8,040. It’s cheap, available in the market and easy to refill.
DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life.
What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin?
Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition.
Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes.
If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider.
What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin?
Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity.
Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C.
Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post.
Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster.
This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster.
While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin.
It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin.
Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning?
Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance.
You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather.
Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.
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