LloydsPharmacy is encouraging people to make SPF your BFF this summer and protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Everyone who spends time outdoors is at risk of skin cancer, not just people who sunbathe. Statistics from the Irish Cancer Society reveal skin cancer to be the most common cancer in Ireland and almost 12,000 Irish people are diagnosed with skin cancer every year with nine out of 10 cases having been caused by UV rays from the sun.
LloydPharmacy’s Sun Care Essentials will provide you and your family with the necessary protection to be safe in the sun whilst making the most out of the extra bright hours.
In a recent survey in partnership with Mummy Pages; LloydsPharmacy found that not wearing sunscreen was the biggest health mishap amongst Irish mums with just 22 percent saying they use sunscreen all the time; and only 39 percent stating they use it sometimes. With instances of diagnosed skin cancers on the rise, this is a very worrying result. Thankfully, there’s something for everyone in the Sun Care Essentials range;
Rieman’s P20 Spray SPF 50 once a day spray gives up to 10 hours protection from just one application for the ones who forget to reapply.
Avene B Protect SPF 50 Sun Cream gives skin a radiant and bright complexion for those looking for a little extra coverage and protection from free-radical damage yet still obtaining a nude skin feel.
Childs Farm SPF 50 roll-on or spray is the perfect SPF for children’s sun safety but also fragrance free, sensitive to young skin and water resistant for swimming and splashing. The range also includes an organic coconut and aloe vera after sun lotion that smells divine.
If you’re looking for a family friendly yet affordable SPF, LloydsPharmacy’s own brand Solero Kids SPF 50 Sun Lotion is both ultra-sensitive and ultra-affordable with a non-greasy skin feeling. The Solero Invisible Sun Spray SPF 30 is 100 percent transparent and suitable even for skin that is not acclimated to the sun, like a lot of Irish complexions are.
To spread the message and have more people #MakeSPFyourBFF, LloydsPharmacy will be giving away free samples of their best Sun Care Essentials this July at some Irish seaside locations.
For up to 50 percent off selected Sun Care Essentials in July and August, shop online or pop into any LloydsPharmacy nationwide and don’t forget that extensively trained skin care specialists give Free Expert Skincare Advice and can help you select the most suitable products for your age, skin type and condition.
Here are LloydsPharmacy’s nine Tips To Make SPF Your BFF:
Get more ‘Bang for your Buck’
Pick an SPF that can also help with your other skin issues. For example, if you have red prone or sensitive skin, choose one with anti-inflammatory ingredients. Talk to the LloydsPharmacy Skin Experts for help choosing the right sunscreen for your skin concerns.
Sunscreen is for LIFE... not just summer
Think because you live in Ireland you can skip SPF on rainy days? Na ah! The sun’s damaging effects are still at work, regardless of the weather. Put sunscreen on exposed areas 20 minutes before leaving the house rain, hail or shine.
How much is enough?
You should use about a shot glass of sunscreen (35ml) for your entire body and apply it 20 minutes before going outside as this is approximately how long it takes before your skin is completely protected from UV rays.
Choose “Broad-Spectrum”
Always make sure you choose a sunscreen that’s broad-spectrum because this type of sunscreen protects against UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays are the ones that can cause wrinkles, while UVB rays are the ones that can burn. Also, you shouldn’t use lower than SPF 30.
No, there is not enough SPF in your makeup
Don’t be fooled into thinking there is enough SPF in your makeup. You would need to apply 14 times the amount of powder people normally use and 7 times as much foundation.
FAKE IT
The only safe way to tan is to use a self-tan. LloydsPharmacy have a wide selection whether you want a light glow or an ultra-dark look. Take your pick from mousses, lotions, graduals, oils and sprays… they’ve got the perfect one for you.
Cover Up
When in the sun, try to wear long-sleeved top and long trousers. Dark clothing with tightly woven fabric blocks more sun than white or loosely woven fabrics. Accessorise with a hat that shades your face, neck, and ears and a pair of sunglasses that have UV absorption.
Sun Sensitising Medication
Be even more cautious if you are taking medications that may make you more sensitive to the sun. These include specific types of antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, antifungals, blood pressure medications, and chemotherapies. Please consult your pharmacist for advice on whether any of your current medications may make your skin more sensitive to the sun.
Keep it Fresh
We all have that leftover bottle of sunscreen from the last trip, but it’s important to start fresh each summer. The active ingredients in sunscreens can lose their potency, so check the expiry date before using it.
