Thinking clothes protect you… And six other things you’re doing wrong with suncream

More than half of us don't apply enough suncream - and even if you do, you might not be doing it the right way. Are you guilty of these sunscreen fails?

Sarah Cooper-White

Published: 0:09, 19 Jun 2016
Updated: 13:53, 17 Jun 2016

THINK you’ve got your SPF sorted?

Sadly, it’s likely you’ve committed at least one of these sins...

1 Ignoring the use-by date

Suncream loses its effectiveness after its use-by date, so you should treat it like food and chuck it away when it's past its best

Sunscreen has a shelf life, but research by Asda has found that nearly 60% of UK holidaymakers could be using out-of-date products. “Sunscreen loses its effectiveness after its use-by date,” says skincare expert Michelle Doherty, founder of cult brand Alpha-H.

“So if it’s expired, be ruthless. Throw it out and buy a new bottle.”

Most sunscreens have an expiration date or a tub symbol that contains a number to indicate how many months it’ll keep for once you’ve opened it.

“If you can’t find a use-by date, then write the month and year of purchase on the bottle,” suggests Michelle.

And just like you check best-before dates in the supermarket before you buy food, do the same with your sunscreen.

2 Not knowing all your rays

Infrared-A rays are longer than others and can penetrate the skin deeper, causing wrinkles and collagen damageCredit: Getty

So you know that UVA ages skin and UVB burns it? Top marks.

But have you heard about the other ray you need to protect yourself from?

“New research shows infrared – longer wavelengths in the sun’s electromagnetic irradiation – can harm skin, too,” says dermatologist Dr Stefanie Williams.

Because infrared-A (IR-A) rays are longer than other rays, they can penetrate deeper into the skin, causing wrinkles and collagen damage.

Thankfully, a number of sunscreen brands now offer triple protection – try Garnier Ambre Solaire Sensitive Advanced Very High SPF50+, £8, or Lloyds Pharmacy Solero Sun Lotion SPF30, £7.

3 Relying on your ‘base TAN’

The idea that a base tan gives you sun protection is a dangerous misconceptionCredit: Getty

Own up. How often have you had a sunbed session just before your summer holiday, “safe” in the knowledge a base tan will stop you burning when you hit the beach?

“The idea that a tan is the best sun protection is a dangerous misconception,” says Dr Williams.

“Studies show that not only is sunburn a sign of skin damage, but even a tan is a sign that the skin’s DNA has been damaged.”

Plus, sunbeds pose another danger. The Melanoma Research Foundation says regular exposure to tanning beds before the age of 30 can increase a person’s risk of developing melanoma skin cancer by up to 75%.

4 Letting it heat up

Suncream stops working when it's stored above 25C so always make sure to keep it in the shadeCredit: Getty

If you usually leave your bottle of SPF baking in the sun with you, then get it in the shade pronto, because it stops working when stored above 25°C.

“The ultraviolet- absorbing chemicals degrade at high temperatures, rendering them ineffective,” says Michelle.

If you’re out in the sun all day, keep your sunscreen in a cool bag or next to a cold drink bottle in a shady place.

And if you kept last summer’s sunscreen in a car or beach bag, replace it.

If you only use sunscreen on skin that’s on show, you’re taking a risk, says Dr Williams: “Unless you’re wearing special SPF clothing, your T-shirt or top will only provide the equivalent of 2-10 SPF. Loosely woven fabrics and light colours such as white offer next to no protection. And if the fabric is wet, the SPF goes down even further.”

So before you get dressed, slap that SPF on all over.

6 Forgetting about your medication

Common painkillers, antidepressants and oral contraceptives can make your skin more photosensitive, so beware

Even if you’re scrupulous about applying sunscreen, it’s easy to overlook the fact that any medication you are taking could also increase the risk of sunburn.

Painkillers such as ibuprofen and naproxen, antidepressants, oral contraceptives and retinoids used to treat acne and wrinkles, such as tretinoin, can all make the skin more photosensitive.

Photo-allergic reactions usually appear as exaggerated sunburn up to 24 hours after sun exposure.

The best advice? If you’re outside for long periods of time, use a sunscreen of SPF30 or higher that protects from various rays, and seek out the shade – how often will depend on your colouring.

One easy way to check is with My UV Patch from La Roche-Posay.

This stick-on sensor changes colour when you’re in danger of burning, and is free while stock lasts from selected Boots stores.

7 Skipping it on a cloudy day

Even on an overcast day, 80% of the sun’s harmful rays can still penetrate clouds and damage your skinCredit: Getty

There’s nothing more annoying than a gloomy forecast when you want to hit the beach.

But at least you won’t burn your skin through the clouds, right? “Wrong,” says skin expert Dr Maryam Zamani.

“UVA rays occur all year round, whatever the weather. And a whopping 80% of the sun’s harmful rays can still penetrate clouds and damage your skin.”

That means you still need to wear cream even when the sun isn’t shining.

Sun downer, indeed.