Elave Sunscreen Myths

Are you sun smart? Elave Sun lifts the lid on sunscreen myths

How much do you really know about keeping your skin safe in the sun? Our good sunscreen guide separates fact from fiction

How often do I need to apply sunscreen?

It’s a myth that you only need to apply a high sunscreen like SPF50+ once a day. Dermatologists advise topping up your sunscreen every two hours – and more often if you have been swimming or playing sports like tennis or beach volley ball which make you sweat.

Elave Sun SPF30is specially formulated for use on dry, sensitive and eczema-prone skin. This gentle, vegan formulations is infused with 12 antioxidants and 9 botanicals to guarantee no itching, prickling or rashes. It contains zinc, so no ‘ghosting’, and is suitable for all skin types.

A high SPF sunscreen keeps you safer for longer…

Experts recommend using a sunscreen every day of the year, but certainly a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 should be used daily in Ireland from March until September. The higher the SPF, the greater protection – but, remember, it wears off just as quickly as low SPF sunscreen.

If your skin usually starts to burn after, for example, 10 minutes in the sun, then an SPF30 sunscreen which is properly applied will give you 10 minutes x 30 protection, that is, 300 minutes. If you swim, sweat or towel off, that protection decreases and you will need to top up your sunscreen.

Elave Daily Skin Defence SPF45offers a unique combination of oil-free emollients which hydrate facial skin while offering high UVA & UVB protection. The invisible zinc and vitamin B5 and E enriched formula is absorbed quickly to protect and repair environmental skin damage. Recommended for all skin types.

You should put on sunscreen as soon as you go into the sun.

You need to apply sunscreen 15-20 minutes before going outside, to give it time to soak into your skin. If you wait until you are settled on the beach, or on your pool lounger, you have already exposed your skin to UV damage. A pea-sized amount is good for your face, and an egg cup full for the rest of your body. 

Delicate young skin is especially prone to UV damage. Elave Paediatric 50+ is a broad spectrum sunscreen which blocks out 98% of harmful UVA & UVB rays in a clean, non-irritating formula suitable for delicate young skin. This water-resistant, allergen-free formula with advanced infrared thermal protection is paediatrician approved from newborn.

Waterproof sunscreen does not need to be topped up.

First of all, there is no such thing as a waterproof sunscreen, but a sunscreen may be water-resistant – read the label. Water-resistant sunscreen needs to be topped up every 40 minutes, and more often if you swim, play sports, or towel it off. Don’t forget areas like tops of feet, backs of knees, ears and lips. 

Avoid chapping and peeling with Elave Daily Lip Defence SPF20 an ultra-hydrating lip balm with broad spectrum UVA & UVB protection. This formulation contains coconut oil, shea butter, naturally derived lipoamino acid, antioxidant vitamin E and peppermint oil to moisturise, re-condition, smooth and protect.

Don’t throw away your old sunscreen - it lasts forever!

Any sunscreen over two years old is probably ineffective, so follow the guidance on the packaging to make sure you do not leave yourself vulnerable to UV damage and stale formulas which could irritate your skin.

One sunscreen is as good as any other sunscreen.

Not true – all sunscreens are not created equal. For people with dry, sensitive and eczema-prone skin, it is vital to use a ‘sensitive’ sunscreen which is guaranteed not to cause itches, rashes and even blistering. Reactions can develop within minutes – or days later. If you have never tried a particular sunscreen before, a patch test might be helpful.

The good news is that many people who suffer from eczema find the sun helps alleviate their symptoms. So how to apply emollient with sunscreen? Put your emollient on first, wait 30 minutes, then apply your sunscreen. This prevents the emollient from diluting the sunscreen. Do not rub in the sunscreen, as this can cause irritation, simply apply in downward strokes. Do not go out into the sun wearing just emollient as you might as well fry your skin. 

Elave Intensive Cream is a rich formula which contains white soft paraffin and fractionated coconut oil to soothe, hydrate and calm the skin by repairing its protective barrier and retaining moisture to relieve symptoms. As well as the 500ml pump and 125g tube sizes, you can get a 50g tube to pop into your beach bag.

If you use SPF makeup, you don’t need to use a sunscreen as well.

SPF makeup offers little protection, so you must always use a high SPF sunscreen under your SPF makeup. And, remember, to leverage any protection from SPF makeup, it needs to be reapplied as often as a standard sunscreen - and this risks caking and clogging your pores. 

Elave Body Oil gives a radiant glow to sunkissed skin with a nourishing, certified vegan oil which locks in moisture to hydrate skin and increase elasticity. Light and quickly absorbed, it is ideal for dry, sensitive skin.