We need to be wearing SPF at every time of the year – not just when the sun is shining
Be honest – do you only apply sunscreen when you know it’s going to be a sunny day? Do you have a tube of suncream in your bag during the summer but not at any other time of the year?
If you answered yes to either of those questions, you’re probably not alone. Ireland now has one of the highest skin cancer rates in Europe, yet misconceptions around cloudy weather and UV exposure remain widespread. A recent survey undertaken by TanOrganic found that while most people apply SPF daily, some 40% of respondents said they do not reapply it throughout the day.
Over 12,000 cases of skin cancer are diagnosed annually in Ireland, according to the Irish Cancer Society. Despite this, many Irish people continue to underestimate UV exposure on cooler days, assuming risk is low unless they’re abroad. Unfortunately, up to 80% of UV rays penetrate cloud cover and the damage they cause is cumulative.
Today sees the launch of a national awareness campaign on sun skin protection with a petition calling on the government to reclassify sunscreen as an essential product and the removal of VAT on SPF products.
With that in mind, maybe it’s time to find an SPF you love, that you look forward to putting on each day. Make it part of your skincare routine and before long, you’ll be protecting your skin without a second thought.
Here are the SPF products the Irish Country Magazine team is loving:
Vichy Capital Soleil Hydrating Sun Protection Water Spray SPF30 with Hyaluronic Acid 200ml – €24
“I love this SPF because it’s hassle-free and just feels like I’m applying a refreshing face mist every morning! It leaves my face feeling dewy but not shiny which I like. It’s incredibly light and can be applied quickly to any areas of exposed skin without the worry of staining clothes.” – Claire, Digital Journalist
Skingredients Skin Shield Moisturising and Priming SPF 50 PA+++ – €45.60
“My go-to sunscreen is by a brilliant Irish brand: Skingredients, by Jennifer Rock. The Skin Shield SPF 50 not only protects skin from damaging UVA and UVB rays, as well as blue light emitted from the sun and our screens, but it leaves such a beautiful sheen. There’s no chalky white cast here, or greasy feel – it has a subtle peachy tint which quickly sinks into skin and leaves it dewy and glowing. I also like that you can buy refill tubes, when you run out.” – Niamh, Deputy Editor
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Invisible Fluid SPF50+ – €18.95
“This little hero is my year-round suncare protection. It’s backed by heavy-duty research and the formula is light and easy to apply with no issues under makeup. But most importantly, I know my skin is getting the best broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays.” – Klara, Editor
GENOSYS Skin Caring Blemish Balm Cushion SPF50 – €58.50
“I also am loving Genosys, a new-to-Ireland Korean brand that has the most incredible tinted SPF products. In fact, I’ve been swapping out foundation these past few weeks for its Skin Caring Blemish Balm Cushion SPF50 (€58.50), which gives high UVA/UVB protection as well as a luminous, skin-like finish with buildable coverage. This one also has a sustainable refill, which I love to see is becoming more and more commonplace.” – Niamh, Deputy Editor
Yon-Ka SPF 50 High Protection Sunscreen – €47
“This is expensive but it’s worth it because it doesn’t feel greasy, you can apply it around your eyes without tearing up and it absorbs well leaving no white cast.” – Claire, Digital Journalist
ALDI Rejuvelate Day Cream SPF 30 – €5.99
For a budget option under a tenner, journalist Adele Miner recommends Aldi’s Lacura Rejuvelate Day Cream SPF30 (€5.99) inside the May|June issue of Irish County Magazine. Pick it up in shops now to discover more of Adele’s supermarket skincare recommendations.
Skin cancer awareness
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month and if you’re nervous about how best to protect your skin over the warmer months, here are some simple rules to live by:
Slather on SPF: Whether you’re walking to the shop, watching GAA on the sidelines, or sitting in traffic, your skin is exposed. Daily SPF is the baseline, not the backup.
Embrace hydration: In Ireland, we see the sun so rarely that we lean towards overexposure when it does appear. If you’ve had too much sun, a calming After Sun is your first step in reversing the damage.
Wear a hat: Caps, wide-brimmed sunhats, and even hooded tops help reduce UV exposure, especially for the face, scalp and back of the neck.
Seek shade: When pub gardens, beaches, or park benches call, balance your sun time with shelter. Shorter bursts of sun equal less damage.
Self-tan: Irish skin isn’t built to bronze in the sun. If you want to rock a tan, apply it yourself from a bottle. Don’t worry too much about the application – exfoliate the area if you can and remember, less is more when it comes to fake tan! If you’re new to the tanning game, try this self-tanning oil from TanOrganic that will leave a natural-looking, radiant glow that promises to fade without patchiness.
