Dr. Marko Lens Answers Your SPF Questions
This week, we introduced Daily Defence Sunscreen SPF 30 & 50 and Daily Defence Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 to complete your Zelens routine. Giving you the choice of the perfect sunscreen for your skin and skincare routine.
Dr. Lens sat down to answer all your questions, including why you should wear SPF on a cloudy day and how to find the right SPF for you.
Why is SPF so important? And why should we be wearing it everyday?
“SPF is very important because it offers a protection against UV light that are having damaging effect to the skin. The large medical evidence showed that the proper use of sunscreen is protecting the skin from the development of skin cancer and premature skin ageing. When you think about SPF you should think about the product that must be your last stem in daily skincare regime.
“We should wear SPF everyday and all year round as there is always UV exposure. Obviously, UV exposure is much higher on a sunny day, but it doesn’t mean it does not exist on a cloudy day. You should not forget that up to 80 percent of UV rays can pass through clouds and this is the reason why you could get sunburn on overcast days if you spent time outside with no sun protection.”
Why have you launched 3 SPFs?
“To give customers more choice so they find an SPF they suited to their skin and that most importantly they want to wear daily to give their skin protection from the sun. The range offers both a mineral and a chemical SPF and different SPF factors.”
What is the difference between factor 30 and 50?
“SPF 30 absorbs 97% of the UVB while SPF 50 absorbs 98%. This difference is not clinically significant, particularly because sunscreen should be reapplied every 2 hours.”
What is the difference between UVA and UVB?
“UV spectrum is composed of three different lights with different wavelength: UVA (315-400 nm), UVB (280-315 nm). UVB light causes sunburn (skin redness) while UVA light damages DNA of the skin cells. “
How do you find the right SPF for you?
“Personal preference is important in selecting an SPF that you will want to wear everyday to give your skin protection.”
Are the SPFs oil-free?
“Organic sunscreens are oil free, while mineral sunscreen is not.”
How do you use Daily Defence?
“SPF should always be the last step in skincare regime so it means that it should be applied after your moisturiser or a serum. Make up can be applied on top of the SPF. However, do not forget that in order to have protection, SPF should be reapplied every 2 hours at least or after swimming or profuse sweating.
“The correct amount to use is one teaspoon for the entire face and neck and should be re-applied every two hours. And can be applied around the eye area.”
How long does SPF last? How often should you re-apply?
“If there is no excessive sweating or swimming, the efficacy of the sunscreen should last 2 hours and it should be re-applied every 2 hours if exposed to the sun. However, if there is excessive sweating or if we swim we should re-apply sunscreen 40 or 80 minutes after swimming depending on if the sunscreen is water resistant or very water resistant.”
How do you treat sun damage?
“The best way to deal with sun damage is to protect the skin and stop tanning. Regular use of broad-spectrum sunscreen is essential every morning. I also recommend use of topical antioxidant to reduce formation of hazardous free radicals.”
Is it non-toxic to marine life/barrier safe?
“Daily Defence Sunscreen and Daily Defence Mineral Sunscreen have been developed with the environment in mind. A new generation of UV filters that provide efficacious sun protection and at the same time respect the environment. These eco-responsible formulations respect the sea and the subaquatic environment, which is extremely important in the era when there is a global streaming to save the planet.”
