Sunscreen confusion is putting us in danger of harmful UV skin-damage!

With temperatures set to soar over the next fortnight, we will be basking in the glorious sunshine as much as is humanly possible.

However, it seems that we’re willing to risk sun damage to our skin a new study has found.

Nearly half of women are confused when it comes to skin protection while one in 10 females said they do absolutely nothing to protect their skin when it’s sunny, putting their skin and themselves in danger of UV damage.

Three quarters confessed they didn’t know invisible UV rays can penetrate clouds – something that all of us need to be aware of with the unpredictable weather.

Leading Principal Scientist at Olay, Dr Frauke Neuser, explains: “The sun is much more powerful than you might think and our Multi-Decade and Ethnicity Study actually found sun to be the main external factor affecting how the skin ages.

“Our skin can absorb UV rays even on cloudy days – all the more reason to make sure you are protecting your skin daily with a facial moisturiser including SPF.”

Its study also found that a third of women don’t wear an SPF moisturiser, with 41 per cent at risk of sun damage as they are unaware the sun’s rays can penetrate windows.

More than a quarter didn’t know UV rays can cause damage through water, so sun protection is a necessity even when swimming.

It also emerged three in four were unaware SPF is a measure of the length of time you can spend in the sun without burning.

And four in 10 also don’t know the difference between SPF15 and SPF30 moisturisers.

Of the women who wear moisturiser daily to take care of their skin, nearly half do not choose one with SPF as they don’t think it’s necessary.

And 45 per cent of females don’t know the different between UVA and UVB rays.

Top tips for staying safe in the sun:

1. Wear protective clothing. If possible, wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and hats. Hats with wide brims not only cover your face, but they also protect other easy-to-forget spots like your ears and your scalp.
2. Limit your sun time, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. That’s when the sun’s rays are at their strongest. Plan your outdoor activities early in the morning or later in the afternoon. You can also find or create shade during those hours.
3. Use sunscreen and use it right. UV rays can damage your skin in as little as 15 minutes. To protect your skin, put sunscreen on every part of your body that will be exposed to the sun at least 15 minutes before going outside, even if it’s cloudy out. Sunscreen is most effective when used with other sun protection methods, like those mentioned above.
4. When choosing sunscreen, pick one with at least SPF 15 and that offers broad-spectrum protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. One coat of sunscreen doesn’t last all day. You need to reapply sunscreen every two hours, and don’t forget to put it on your hands and feet and to reapply after swimming or sweating.
5. Say no to tanning. There’s no such thing as a safe tan, whether you’re inside or outside. It’s a myth that indoor tanning is a safer alternative to sun tanning. Tanning beds, tanning booths, and sunlamps expose you to intense UV radiation, which increases your risk of skin cancer and skin damage.