Sunny days invite you to get your dose of vitamin D and lift your mood outdoors, but have you found your sunscreen and know how to protect yourself from the sun?

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The sun is a tricky friend: you need to handle it to enjoy its company. Find out how to sunbathe safely and choose the right sunscreen for you in this guide.

Nothing beats the boost of energy and happiness when you enjoy a sunny day outdoors. The importance of sun exposure and vitamin D for our health is undeniable and clinically proven, but taking too much sunlight or being exposed without precaution can have some pesky consequences, which can ruin your skin and health. Sunburns are certainly annoying, but sun damage can go deeper. In this guide, we will explain how UV rays affect your skin, how different sunscreens work and what the label on your sunscreen means. Knowing what you spread on your skin helps you make the most of the sun and get a natural, safe tan.

How UVA And UVB Rays Damage Your Skin

UVA and UVB are familiar nouns by now, but it is good to spend a few lines on them. UV stands for ultraviolet light and is the energy radiated by the sun. This form of energy is released as a light spectrum that comprises UVA, UVB and UVC rays. UVC rays are blocked by ozone, but UVA and UVB rays reach us at different intensities.

UVB rays reach the epidermis, the outer layer of the skin and are responsible for common sunburns, but UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin. UVAs reach the dermis, the inner layer of the skin, where they cause the most damage. UVA rays are, in fact, accountable for skin ageing. However, excessive or unsafe exposure to both UVA and UVB rays can lead to repeated damage to the DNA at the cellular level and, ultimately, skin cancer. Among the many types of skin cancer, melanoma starts in the melanocytes, the cells that produce the pigment melanin. According to Cancer Research UK, 9 in 10 cases of melanoma in the UK could be prevented with good sun education.

Am I Safe From UV Rays When It Is Cloudy?

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Unfortunately not. Up to 90% of UV rays can pass through the clouds. Moreover, even if it feels breezy and cloudy in the UK, the sun's rays are strong enough between mid-October and mid-March to cause damage to your skin. To tell the risk of sunburn and skin damage throughout the year, you can use the UV index in your mobile's weather forecast app. The UV index indicates the sun's ray strength and ranges from 1 to 9+. When the UV index is 3 or higher, it is time to have sunscreen at the ready.

That is why it is a good idea to find the sunscreen that works best for your skin and stock up on it for the year. Yes, but which one?

Mineral Sunscreens VS Chemical Sunscreens

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The skincare market is brimming with a wide variety of options, perhaps too many, you might argue. While you cannot skimp on the strength of your ideal sunscreen – as we will find later in this guide – you can choose what is best for your skin and opt for a mineral or a chemical formulation. The difference between mineral and chemical sunscreen lies in the name, and this also influences how they work, how you apply them and how they feel on the skin.

Mineral sunscreens are also known as physical or organic sunscreens. This is because they work as a physical barrier against UV rays, and their active ingredients are minerals such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. This type of sun protection sits on your skin like a shield and makes UV rays bounce away.

Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, contain regulated chemical compounds such as avobenzone, oxybenzone and octinoxate, which work like a sponge by absorbing UV rays and transforming them into heat that dissipates through the skin without damaging it.

Mineral sunscreens feel and apply like thick creams. They have a matte finish, but they leave a white cast on the skin. This white halo is the major disadvantage of mineral sunscreens. Their formula is suitable for dry and sensitive skin, as well as skin prone to acne, eczema, irritation and allergies.

Chemical sun protections feel generally lighter on the skin; they are easier to blend and more water-resistant, a factor which contributes to their longer protection. However, they might cause irritation or reactions in some people due to their main ingredients.

Ultimately, but less known, there are hybrid sunscreens that combine the best properties of physical and chemical sun filters.

How To Use Sunscreens The Right Way

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Their different formulas also suggest how to use them. Mineral sunscreens show their full potential from the moment of application, while chemical sunscreens must be applied at least 20 minutes before sun exposure. This is the time it takes for the product to be absorbed into the skin.

Whether you use physical or chemical sun protection, you need to apply an adequate amount and cover every area exposed to the sun. Dermatologists recommend 2 milligrams, the equivalent of a glass shot of your favourite sun filter. However, it is very common to see social media users using their index and middle fingers as a guide for the right quantity. Then, it is recommended to reapply your sunscreen every two hours and every time you sweat or wipe your face and body to ensure protection throughout the day.

SPF, PA And UVA Star Rating Explained

You will find some acronyms and symbols on the label of your sunscreen. The best known is maybe SPF, which can range from 2 to 50. SPF means 'Sun Protection Factor', and its number tells you the difference between how much time your skin will redden without and with sunscreen. The SPF indicates how much your product protects you from UVB rays, but not against UVAs.

To find out how your sunscreen will protect you from UVA rays, you need to look at either the PA or the UVA Star rating systems. They both refer to the protection against UVA rays, but they are used in different countries and apply different methods and metrics.

The 'PA' stands for Protection Grade of UVA and was first developed in Japan. This system ranges from the lowest level of PA+ to the highest PA++++. It is still used in Japan and other Asian countries, including South Korea.

The UK uses the UVA Star system instead. A circle where the number of stars, from 1 to 5, shows how strong the UVA protection offered by the product will be.

Which Level Of Sun Protection Is For Me?

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If the choice between a mineral and chemical sunscreen is totally up to you, you should play it safe with the level of UVA and UVB protection. The sun protection recommended by the NHS and Cancer Research UK is a minimum of SPF 30 with a UVA protection of 4 or 5 stars. Opt for SPF 50 if your skin is fair or you plan to be outdoors for longer.

Tips For A Healthy Sun Exposure

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Finding the right sunscreen and adequate level of protection is probably the hardest part, but protecting yourself from the scorching sun goes beyond shopping for skincare.

• Follow these essential tips to fully enjoy the brightest days:
• Avoid the sun or stay in the shade during the hottest hours of the day. In the UK, these are between 11 am and 3 pm.
• Cover your legs and arms with breathable clothing and apply a body sunscreen to exposed areas, such as your hands.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat and protective sunglasses in the sun. Wrap-around sunnies offer the best protection for the eye area.
• Do not forget to protect the little ones of the family with breathable but protective clothing and sunscreen for sensitive skin or specifically formulated for babies' skin.

Free from sunburns and with complete peace of mind, you will enjoy an entire holiday in an exotic destination or the privacy of your garden.

As the summer winds down and we step away from the sun, it is important to know how to deal with the post-summer hyperpigmentation marks that the sun can leave behind on our skin. Bioderma’s Pigmentbio range will save your skin from sunspots so that you can remember just the best from your summer holidays.