SPF- Choosing the right sunscreen for Rosacea-prone skin

There’s nothing you can add to your skincare routine that’s quite as impactful as including an SPF. If you suffer from rosacea, redness or sensitive skin, it’s especially important to understand the effects of the sun and how to remedy them can- it can make all the difference when it comes to preventing flare-ups and redness. With that in mind, we wanted to go in-depth on what happens when your skin is exposed to UV rays and give you some tips to ensure you’re protected under the sun. 

The Effects of Sun Exposure

While sun exposure in moderation is beneficial for maintaining vitamin D levels and improving your mood, it can have harmful short- and long-term effects on your body and skin.

One of the first noticeable effects of UV light is sunburn, which can range from a first-degree burn on the outer layer of your skin (epidermis) to a more extreme second-degree burn that penetrates the inner layers (dermis). Common signs of sunburn include redness, hot skin and peeling. UV-rays can also cause dead skin cells to accumulate on the skin’s surface, making it look dull and dry.

Another common result of sun exposure is hyperpigmentation. In order to protect itself from the sun, the skin also creates melanin – this is what gives you a suntan. However, sometimes this melanin clumps together, leading to hyperpigmentation or sun spots, resulting in an uneven skin tone.

In the longer term, prolonged sun exposure can have severe effects on the skin, and one of the most common ones is premature ageing. As time passes, the sun’s UV rays harm fibres in the skin known as elastin. When these fibres deteriorate, your skin begins to wrinkle and loses its elasticity, whilst becoming more prone to bruising and tearing. In extreme and most unfortunate cases, sun exposure can also lead to skin cancer. This happens when UV light damages the genetic material (DNA) in skin cells, causing them to grow out of control and form extra cells known as tumours or lesions. Although not noticeable at first, the damage from prolonged sun exposure can be apparent later in life, especially if proper SPF protection is not used.

UV rays and Rosacea

It is recommended that those with rosacea, broken capillaries and related blood vessel disorders are extra careful when it comes to sun exposure, as the sun is one of the most common triggers for these conditions. UV light penetrating the skin can cause dilation (widening) of the blood vessels in the face, which may cause a burning sensation and skin that flushes pink or red. It can also make the walls of these tiny vessels (capillaries) weaker, causing more visible and broken veins. Finally, UV rays can lead to inflammation in the skin, showing general redness or irritation.

It’s impossible to say how much sun exposure is tolerable as this hugely varies per person and depends on lots of different factors. In some cases, unfortunately, a few minutes of sunshine is enough to cause a flare-up that can last hours or longer, which is exactly why an SPF of 30 or higher is necessary for rosacea-prone skin - even on cloudy days!

Rosalique was designed with sensitive, redness prone skin in mind. Not only does it provide optimal protection through its 5* Broad Spectrum rated SPF50, it also gives you a beautiful, natural coverage as well as calming your skin with 5 active anti-inflammatory ingredients.

The different types of SPF

Did you know that there are two types of SPF products? Although they are both equally protective, it is key to understand which SPF type is best for your skin.

Mineral sunscreen
This type of SPF uses minerals as its active ingredient - usually titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. Mineral sunscreen is also called physical sunscreen, as it sits on the skin like a shield, forming a layer that deflects the sun’s harmful rays. It is considered the most gentle option for sensitive skin because of its naturally derived ingredients. However, mineral sunscreen can be difficult to apply evenly and can leave a noticeable white cast (and, yes, that cakey feeling) at high factors, which can make the user experience less pleasant.

Synthetic sunscreen
Designed for ray absorption, synthetic sunscreen can be formed by up to 30 different ingredients. It is thinner in texture than mineral sunscreen, goes on smoothly without leaving a white cast and may feel like it sinks into the skin more than a mineral SPF would. Some chemical SPF ingredients can, however, trigger sensitive skin and are therefore not recommended.

As we know just how important a high-factor SPF is to use when you suffer from redness or rosacea, we have chosen the best of both worlds in our Rosalique. Our SPF is largely made up of titanium dioxide with a synthetic modifier, allowing us to achieve a factor of 50 whilst maintaining a formula that is cast-free and easy to apply, yet still gentle on sensitive skin.

How to use SPF

To achieve optimum protection, you should apply your SPF in the morning, every single day. If you’re using synthetic sunscreen, wait 20 minutes or so for it to absorb and start working, whereas, with mineral sunscreen, you don’t need to wait as it provides instant protection. Ideally, your sunscreen should be reapplied every few hours or so – but we know this isn’t always practical, especially when wearing make-up. If you use Rosalique as your sunscreen and are spending a lot of time outdoors in bright sunlight, we’d recommend topping up your Rosalique throughout the day - or you can apply an SPF spray, stick or powder over the top.

With the right sunscreen and skincare routine, you can help manage your rosacea symptoms and keep your skin healthy and glowing. Rosalique 3 in 1 Anti-Redness Miracle Formula SPF50 has become a staple for many suffering from rosacea and sensitive skin, but also for skincare lovers and even MUAs who are keen to protect their models’ skin.

For smooth, even coverage and excellent protection against UVA and UVB rays, give Rosalique a try here!