Sunscreen time

This one goes out to the small dedicated tribe of male readers I have. Yes I know you’re there, patiently braving posts about menopause for something more relevant to you. Well here you go - with a gratuitously objectifying topless male model pic for my female (and some male) readers too!

Male, female, non binary, trans - however we identify we all need to wear sunscreen. If you can’t wear it all year round at least wear it March to September or if not on sunny days. And whatever our skin tone we need to wear it too, Black and Asian skins may have more melanin in them but they are still susceptible to sun damage, skin cancer and pigmentation.

Not fun fact: sun damage can cause up to 90% of skin ageing, so wearing SPF, as we women are so often told, will not only protect you from cancer but will make you look gorgeously youthful too.

You don’t have to spend a lot of money - just go for something from Boots - Soltan is great if you’re not sure. I’ve just been sent Daily Protection Moisturiser SPF 50 (£34 for 50ml) by dussl a new indie brand founded by a man called Fraser which is gender neutral and also aimed specifically at men. This year, dussl is donating 1% of revenue to Melanoma UK and together they are keen to raise awareness of the importance of daily UV protection as preventative measure against skin cancers and sun damage.

Please tell your husbands, partners, boyfriends, friends, sons and dads to be sunscreen aware. If you do want to spend a bit more dussl is no fuss, sinks in quickly, non greasy, doesn’t leave a white cast and so so easy just to smooth over your face after washing either in or out of the shower. I’ve tried it myself.

If you are shopping for sunscreens I would opt for SPF 30 or SPF 50. Make sure it’s broad spectrum protection - targeting both UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays cause skin ageing and UVB rays cause skin burning and both can cause skin cancer.

Mineral sunscreens like Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide work by deflecting the sun’s rays. They can leave a white cast but this is usually absorbed. These are better for sensitive and problem skins. Chemical sunscreens like Avobenzone (considered to be the gold standard and in dussl) absorb the sun’s rays and convert into non damaging heat.

And that’s it, that’s my sunscreen reminder for this year. Now go outside and enjoy the good weather!