The Youtime Team

I have worn sunscreen more or less every day since I was 13.

I read an interview in Dolly Magazine in which Jessica Alba, fresh on the Honey film promotional trail, stated that her best beauty tip was to wear sunscreen and drink water. I took her advice literally, assuming those two habits would give me both Ms Alba’s looks and dance ability. 
 
While the former didn’t quite come to fruition (the latter will reveal itself in due time), I am eternally grateful that I adopted those habits when I did. In my adult life I have been dubbed the “SPF Bully” amongst my friends, and am undoubtedly a real punish to embark on any sort of sunny holiday with. 
 
 So is sunscreen really all that important, or am I just being dramatic?

In short, yes. Sunscreen is essential if you want to keep both your skin and your body healthy. 
 
 UV rays are non visible rays from the sun, and they are present year round. UV consists of UVA, UVB and UVC. UVC largely won’t reach the earth’s surface, however both UVA and UVB certainly do. UVA, in particular, is present all through winter, and is responsible for penetrating deep into the skin and affecting our body’s collagen production, leading to premature photoageing of the skin.
 
 UVB doesn’t penetrate as deeply into the skin, however it does cause irreversible DNA damage and sunburn. UVB is also more responsible for causing the DNA damage that leads to skin cancer.

Given that UV is present year ‘round and can penetrate glass, it’s absolutely worth applying sunscreen every day. Although some people check the UV index daily and will only wear sunscreen if that index is projected to reach a number above 3, I personally feel this leaves too much room for error. 

I recommend getting into the habit of applying sunscreen every morning, just as you clean your teeth, to give yourself peace of mind and avoid making a mistake. 

How do you know if your sunscreen is actually working?

Sunscreen labelling is pretty confusing, but there are a few things you can do to ensure you get the most sun protection possible.
 
 When we see SPF 50+, that 50 actually refers to the level of UVB coverage specifically. The sun’s rays also contain UVA, and the UVA coverage is proportional to the UVB coverage measured in, and labelled on your sunscreen. 

Gun Ana UV Body Mist SPF 50 will boost your skin with hydration and antioxidants from nourishing oils, all while protecting you from sun damage. An easy to apply dry oil- and water based mist for broad-spectrum protection and hydrated skin. Formulated with ceramides from oat, Vitamin E and antioxidant rich oils give the skin a healthy glow. Shake before use.
HOW TO USE START 
Immediate protection sunscreen for daily use. Shake the bottle well. Spray the skin moist with UV mist and make sure it's evenly applied. Not enough product can lead to less protection. Apply often on sun exposed areas. Product should be re-applied every second hour for best protection. Apply before exposure to the sun. Over-exposure to the sun can be harmful. Store at room temperature. Avoid direct sunlight.
HOW TO USE END
INGREDIENTS START
Coco-Caprylate, Isoamyl Laurate, Aqua, Alcohol Denat., Octocrylene, Propanediol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Glycerin, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Triticum Aestivum Germ Oil, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Mentha Piperita Oil, Sodium Phytate, Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Salicylate, Limonene, Benzyl Benzoate
INGREDIENTS END

UV Body Mist SPF 50 150ml

This is why it’s important to choose a sunscreen that is “broad spectrum” (meaning both UVA and UVB) and ideally 50+ (as this will indicate a proportionately higher level of UVA coverage). 

While some may argue that there isn’t a big difference in the coverage offered by SPF30 and SPF50 products, this only refers to UVB. Your sunscreen needs to be broad spectrum 50+ for adequate UVA coverage. 

Sunscreen doesn’t last forever, unfortunately, so while your morning SPF application will give you a decent level of protection, it will need to be reapplied throughout the day. 

Sunscreen will last a little over 8 hours in lab conditions, but that’s not real life. As a rule of thumb, sunscreen should be applied every two hours. This sometimes just isn’t possible, so it’s worth looking into other ways to protect your skin from the sun. 

Sunscreen is simply one line of defence against UV rays, and no sunscreen provides 100% protection against UV. Beyond applying, and reapplying, your sunscreen, it’s worth working another form of sun protection into your day. 

This can be a hat, protective clothing, sunglasses or something as simple as staying in the shade. 

Choosing the right sunscreen for your skin

To find the right sunscreen for your skin, begin by deciding if you’d prefer a “chemical” (not the technical term, as everything is technically a chemical) or “physical” sunscreen. 

The former contains chemicals that absorb UV light and convert it into heat, while the latter generally contains zinc particles to bounce the UV back- when it comes down to it, though, they both work in really similar ways. What matters most is the SPF level, and whether or not you can happily commit to wearing that product daily. 
 
 There are countless sunscreen options available today- and I’ve tried a lot of them. Next week, I will be breaking down the different SPF formulas further, and sharing all of my recommendations. 

Gun Ana UV Stick SPF 50 is perfect for re-application of SPF during the day. The formula is suitable for use all over the face. Our UV Stick is made with a base of nourishing shea butter and carnauba wax. Boosted with Vitamin E, this product also prevents free radicals in the skin. Ceramides from oat help to strengthen the skin barrier.
HOW TO USE START
Use if on the face - its works just as well for the lips as on the cheeks, nose &amp; ears. Apply often on sun exposed areas, 6-7 strokes to get full protection. Product should be re-applied every second hour for full protection during sun exposure. Overexposure of sun can cause a serious health threat. Immediate protection sunscreen and moisturiser for daily use. Apply before exposure to the sun. Store at room temperature. Avoid direct sunlight.
HOW TO USE END
INGREDIENTS START
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Helianthus Annuus Seed Cera, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Ethyl Olivate, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil, Tocopherol, Parfum, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Mentha Piperita Oil, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Salicylate, Limonene
INGREDIENTS END

UV Stick SPF 50 9.5g

Gun Ana Face Cream SPF 50 is a silky smooth formula that strengthens and hydrates the skin. Nourishing oils from oat, wheat germ and rose-hip provide the skin with antioxidants and fatty acids such as omega 3, 6 &amp; 9. Hyaluronic complex helps to plump the skin and keep it hydrated throughout the day. Boosted with vitamin E to prevent free radicals in the skin.
HOW TO USE START 
Use a generous amount for face and neck. Not enough cream can lead to less protection. Apply often on sun exposed areas. Product should be re-applied every 2 hours for full protection during sun exposure. Over-exposure to the sun can cause a serious health threat. Immediate protection sunscreen and moisturiser for daily use. Apply before exposure to the sun. Store at room temperature. Avoid direct sunlight
HOW TO USE END 
INGREDIENTS START 
Aqua, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Isohexadecane, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, Shea Butter Ethyl Esters, Ethyl Olivate, Phenoxyethanol, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-6 Palmitate/Succinate, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sclerotium Gum, Menthyl Ethylamido Oxalate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hedychium Coronarium Root Extract, Mentha Piperita Oil, Sodium Phytate, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Alcohol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Salicylate, Benzyl Benzoate, Limonene
INGREDIENTS END

Face Cream SPF 50 50ml

Our Favourite SPF Products to keep you protected. 

Short answer? Yes. Yes you do. Let's get into it.

Do you need to apply SPF every day? Short answer, yes. Gemma Watts explains why SPF is an essential step for keeping your skin and body healthy.

Do I Need to Wear Sunscreen Every Day?

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Gun Ana UV Body Mist SPF 30 will boost your skin with hydration and antioxidants from nourishing oils, all while protecting you from sun damage. An easy to apply dry oil- and water based mist for broad-spectrum protection and hydrated skin. Formulated with ceramides from oat, Vitamin E and antioxidant rich oils give the skin a healthy glow. Shake before use.
HOW TO USE START 
Immediate protection sunscreen for daily use. Shake the bottle well. Spray the skin moist with UV mist and make sure it's evenly applied. Not enough product can lead to less protection. Apply often on sun exposed areas. Product should be re-applied every second hour for best protection. Apply before exposure to the sun. Over-exposure to the sun can be harmful. Store at room temperature. Avoid direct sunlight.
HOW TO USE END
INGREDIENTS START
Coco-Caprylate, Isoamyl Laurate, Aqua, Alcohol Denat., Octocrylene, Propanediol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Glycerin, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Triticum Aestivum Germ Oil, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Mentha Piperita Oil, Sodium Phytate, Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Salicylate, Limonene, Benzyl Benzoate
INGREDIENTS END

UV Body Mist SPF 30 150ml

Do I Really Need to Wear Sunscreen Every Day?

When I first drafted this piece, it began with “We’re told year after year, season after season, that we must be wearing sunscreen year round - so why aren’t we?”

I’ve changed my tact, however, as in the last fortnight alone I’ve had three conversations with people who’ve all said something to the tune of “But why would you wear sunscreen if it’s not hot?”

Perhaps this is a reflection of the beauty industry echo chamber I orbit within. 

I was of the understanding that everyone knew we needed to wear sunscreen whatever the weather, they just didn’t want to. A sentiment that echoes throughout the beauty industry, one I have heard supported countless times by dermatologists, is that sunscreen is the most important thing you can apply to your skin - for both health and aesthetic reasons. 

The fact remains, however, that very few of us are taking that advice seriously. 

My intention was to write about how we can choose the right sunscreen for our skin, as I know many people opt out as they find it uncomfortable, they dislike the scent, they find it breaks them out, they’re unsure how to correctly apply it and so forth. 

I will deliver on this intention! But first, given the above, I think it’s worth touching on why the SPF message continues to be drilled into (some of) us. 

I’ve gone into pretty significant detail on this here, but in short- the sun’s rays combine UVA and UVB. Both are of detriment to the skin. Both contribute to the development of skin cancers. 

UVA is a longer wavelength and is associated with skin ageing, while UVB is a shorter wavelength that contributes to skin burning. 

Do I really have to wear sunscreen if I'm not in the sun?

UVA can penetrate clouds, glass windows, and water, meaning it is present year round. As a rule of thumb, if it’s light enough to read without switching on a light, you need sunscreen to protect exposed skin from UVA rays. 

This in mind, “But it’s not sunny,” is not an excuse I entertain when it comes to the SPF debate. Do as you wish, but here’s my take on the other most-frequently-used reasons those close to me (you know who you are) fall back on when it comes to sunscreen. 

More often than not, the link between sunscreen and acne is not all that linked to sunscreen itself- it’s down to cleansing. 

Sunscreen needs to be properly broken down in order to fully wash it from the skin’s surface. I find using an oil based cleanser as a “first cleanse” is the best way to break down both sunscreen and any makeup, and I’ll then follow this with a gentler cleanse to really get into the pores. 

The double cleanse method has been useful for several of my friends who complained of sunscreen breaking them out, when in fact it was that they weren’t removing the sunscreen properly each evening. 

That said, there are of course people who do have particularly reactive skin and, in those cases, the sunscreen probably is the cause of the breakouts. Unfortunately in these instances, it’s a game of trial and error. 

Given the importance of sunscreen, my recommendation here would be to visit a dermatologist or dermal clinician who will be able to assist in isolating which specific ingredients are triggering your skin’s response to sunscreen, and make non-irritating recommendations from there. 

This is usually the catch cry of those who still believe all sunscreen comes in a 2 litre jumbo beach pack. If you tell me that sunscreen is too thick for daily wear, you are outing yourself as someone who only wears sunscreen on family holidays and probably hasn’t strayed from the one formula since 1997. 

Facial sunscreens and body sunscreens are, now, formulated very differently. A higher SPF (sun protection factor) does not make the sunscreen any thicker, however I’ve found (through multiple sunscreen trials) that facial sunscreens are formulated with more “skincare benefits” than sunscreens for the body. 

There are so, so many sunscreens available now, from creams to fluids to serum consistencies, meaning your sunscreen can be as weightless (or as thick and creamy!) as you like without it affecting your level of protection. 

"It causes flashback and whitecast in photos"

Flashback certainly does exist, however the idea that it is sunscreen on its own that causes it is a myth. Flashback is specifically caused by an ingredient called “titanium dioxide.” 

This ingredient is most commonly found in “physical sunscreens” like zincs, so if you’re going to be photographed then simply opt for a “chemical sunscreen.” Simple! 

"I am wearing it, I just tan through my sunscreen anyway"

Unfortunately, any change in the colour of your skin (unless you’re applying makeup or false tanner) is your skin cells signalling that they are in trauma. Your skin turning pink or red (ie. a sunburn) isn’t the only sign that UV rays are damaging your skin- a tan is signifying the very same thing. 

The solution here is a higher sun protection factor (where possible), more frequent reapplication, and working other protective factors into your day like a hat, protective clothing and seeking shade. 

So glad you asked. If you're tanning despite wearing sunscreen, you also may not be applying enough product. 

Don’t forget that you need to use approximately half a teaspoon of sunscreen for your face and neck combined, half a teaspoon for each arm, and 1 teaspoon for each leg, your torso and your back in order to achieve the marked level of sun protection. 

"It's not sunny". "Sunscreen breaks me out". And so on. We address all your concerns (and excuses) for not applying SPF every day. 

Your Excuses for Not Wearing Sunscreen, Debunked

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Multifunctional suncare for active lifestyles and everyday life, with carefully selected ingredients for maximum benefit but also to minimize their impact on the climate. 

We know that most people are aware of the importance of using SPF products in the summer, when the sun is strong and you can easily burn. But most people are unaware of the way the sun can affect your skin also during the other seasons. Let us break it down for you. 

All SPF products in the EU are built with both UVA and UVB protection. These UV rays come from the sun and can damage our skin in different ways.

95% of the radiation that comes from the sun is UVA. UVA is low energy rays and we are exposed to these rays all year round during daylight. UVA penetrates the deeper layer of your skin called dermis, where they produce free radicals that can damage your skin. UVA rays are the main cause of wrinkles and they can also cause sun allergy, pigment changes and cancer.


The benefits of using SPF all year round: 

• It's the most effective way to prevent your skin from aging.
• Reduce the risk of skin cancer
• Reduce the risk of pigment changes in your skin

While using Gun Ana products we want you to embrace life under the sun, all year round.

Gun Ana sun care products are produced on the Swedish west coast where both founders have their roots. 

Gun Ana’s mission is to completely change the viewpoint of sunscreen, both when it comes to formulations, but also in terms of packaging. With multifunctional, easy to use formulations containing high UV protection as well as botanical oils and extracts, they created unique products made for all year round use.

The new era of SPF

Gun Ana

Multifunctional suncare for active lifestyles and everyday life, with carefully selected ingredients for maximum benefit but also to minimize their impact on the climate.

The Importance of Suncare

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