Men's skin may be thicker than women's, but that doesn't mean you don't need to protect it! One of the best ways to do that is with a good sun cream. Which raises the question: how do you choose the right sun cream for your skin?
You might not know it, but using sun cream regularly helps prevent some of the signs of photoageing – in other words, it slows down the skin ageing caused by prolonged, unprotected time in the sun.
If you're not sure how to choose a sun cream, here are some tips and recommendations so you can make the most of the sun, safely.
How to choose a sun cream for men
To choose the right sun cream for men, it helps to understand how these products work. First of all, sun creams are generally made from a combination of physical (mineral) and chemical filters that block and absorb UV radiation.
On the one hand, mineral filters such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide help the skin reflect UV radiation. Chemical filters, on the other hand, interact with the radiation before it can penetrate the skin, absorbing the sun's energy and releasing it as heat.
It's true that our bodies make use of sunlight, and that the sun is a crucial source of vitamin D. But the link between sun exposure and skin health is more complicated than we tend to think.
Your skin type also has a big impact on how sunlight affects your skin. And the time of day and how long you spend in the sun make a real difference too.
With all that in mind, here's what to look for before you decide:
1. Choose a broad-spectrum sun cream
A broad-spectrum sun cream helps reduce the risk of skin cancer and premature skin ageing. We recommend high protection.
2. Make sure it's water-resistant
Even if you're not planning to swim, any dermatologist will tell you to use a water-resistant sun cream. That's because heavy sweating can wash sun cream off your face and body.
3. Consider a lotion rather than a cream
Sun lotions spread easily and are simple to apply evenly to any area of skin, building up a good layer of protection. Whichever you choose, keep the factors above in mind when picking the best sun cream for men – and make sure it suits your skin type.
4. Check the manufacture and expiry dates
Using sun cream past its expiry date isn't a good idea, so always check both the date of manufacture and the expiry date.
Ideally, buy a sun cream that was made recently, as fresher products are always more effective. Bear in mind, too, that manufacturers aren't responsible for any adverse reactions caused by using a product after its expiry date.
And be careful about reaching for last year's bottle at the back of the cupboard! Sun cream that's been opened, or is more than a year old, may not give your skin the level of protection it needs.
In short: never use sun cream that's out of date or about to expire.
What level of sun protection do you need?
When choosing a sun cream, the level of protection is key. It tells you how well a sun cream protects your skin against UVB rays, and the label shows it as low, medium, high or very high.
If you have darker skin, choose a sun cream with at least medium protection. If, on the other hand, you have fairer skin, go for high or very high protection.
As we said earlier, high protection is the safest choice across the board. Put simply, the higher the level on the label, the better protected your skin is.
It's also worth choosing a sun cream with a light, non-greasy texture so it's more comfortable to wear.
What's the difference between a moisturiser with sun protection and a sun cream?
These days, lots of moisturisers include sun protection, which does essentially the same job as a sun cream. The main difference is that you don't apply moisturisers with sun protection as thickly. So a moisturiser with sun protection doesn't give you the same protection as a sun cream: it's great for everyday protection, but never something to sunbathe in.
Worth knowing: moisturisers with sun protection usually have antioxidant properties that help keep collagen and elastin levels in the skin healthy.
How to get the most from your sun cream
Now you know how to choose the right sun cream for your skin. Here are a few extra tips to get the best possible protection.
- Ideally, apply sun cream 10 to 15 minutes before you go outside.
- Reapply a non-greasy sun cream every 2 to 3 hours to keep up your protection against UVB rays.
- If you have oily or spot-prone skin, go for a water-based sun cream.
- Water-resistant sun creams can protect your skin effectively for 40 to 80 minutes in the water, so reapply as soon as you get out.
- Make sure you cover every area exposed to the sun – including between your fingers, the back of your neck and behind your ears.
- Whenever you can, wear sunglasses, cotton clothing and a hat for more complete protection.
You now know everything you need to get a good tan without burning, so grab your sun cream and your towel and enjoy the summer 😉
Men's Face Moisturiser
All the hydration, none of the shine.
Take a look →
How to Choose a Sun Cream: Tips and Advice for Men
Men's skin may be thicker than women's, but that doesn't mean you don't need to protect it! One of the best ways to do that is with a good sun cream. Which raises the question: how do you choose the right sun cream for your skin?
You might not know it, but using sun cream regularly helps prevent some of the signs of photoageing – in other words, it slows down the skin ageing caused by prolonged, unprotected time in the sun.
If you're not sure how to choose a sun cream, here are some tips and recommendations so you can make the most of the sun, safely.
How to choose a sun cream for men
To choose the right sun cream for men, it helps to understand how these products work. First of all, sun creams are generally made from a combination of physical (mineral) and chemical filters that block and absorb UV radiation.
On the one hand, mineral filters such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide help the skin reflect UV radiation. Chemical filters, on the other hand, interact with the radiation before it can penetrate the skin, absorbing the sun's energy and releasing it as heat.
It's true that our bodies make use of sunlight, and that the sun is a crucial source of vitamin D. But the link between sun exposure and skin health is more complicated than we tend to think.
Your skin type also has a big impact on how sunlight affects your skin. And the time of day and how long you spend in the sun make a real difference too.
With all that in mind, here's what to look for before you decide:
1. Choose a broad-spectrum sun cream
A broad-spectrum sun cream helps reduce the risk of skin cancer and premature skin ageing. We recommend high protection.
2. Make sure it's water-resistant
Even if you're not planning to swim, any dermatologist will tell you to use a water-resistant sun cream. That's because heavy sweating can wash sun cream off your face and body.
3. Consider a lotion rather than a cream
Sun lotions spread easily and are simple to apply evenly to any area of skin, building up a good layer of protection. Whichever you choose, keep the factors above in mind when picking the best sun cream for men – and make sure it suits your skin type.
4. Check the manufacture and expiry dates
Using sun cream past its expiry date isn't a good idea, so always check both the date of manufacture and the expiry date.
Ideally, buy a sun cream that was made recently, as fresher products are always more effective. Bear in mind, too, that manufacturers aren't responsible for any adverse reactions caused by using a product after its expiry date.
And be careful about reaching for last year's bottle at the back of the cupboard! Sun cream that's been opened, or is more than a year old, may not give your skin the level of protection it needs.
In short: never use sun cream that's out of date or about to expire.
What level of sun protection do you need?
When choosing a sun cream, the level of protection is key. It tells you how well a sun cream protects your skin against UVB rays, and the label shows it as low, medium, high or very high.
If you have darker skin, choose a sun cream with at least medium protection. If, on the other hand, you have fairer skin, go for high or very high protection.
As we said earlier, high protection is the safest choice across the board. Put simply, the higher the level on the label, the better protected your skin is.
It's also worth choosing a sun cream with a light, non-greasy texture so it's more comfortable to wear.
What's the difference between a moisturiser with sun protection and a sun cream?
These days, lots of moisturisers include sun protection, which does essentially the same job as a sun cream. The main difference is that you don't apply moisturisers with sun protection as thickly. So a moisturiser with sun protection doesn't give you the same protection as a sun cream: it's great for everyday protection, but never something to sunbathe in.
Worth knowing: moisturisers with sun protection usually have antioxidant properties that help keep collagen and elastin levels in the skin healthy.
How to get the most from your sun cream
Now you know how to choose the right sun cream for your skin. Here are a few extra tips to get the best possible protection.
You now know everything you need to get a good tan without burning, so grab your sun cream and your towel and enjoy the summer 😉
Men's Face Moisturiser
All the hydration, none of the shine.
Take a look →