SPF (sun protection factor) helps to protect your skin from sun radiation. There are two kinds of ultraviolet radiation, UVA and UVB, both of which can harm your skin if you skip SPF in your routine.

UVA rays makes us tanned, unfortunately can also lead to premature aging, wrinkles or sagging skin. It can also burn you.

UVB can burn you too, altough it’s more harmful as it’s also responsible for developing skin cancer. To be protected from both, choose broad spectrum spf.

Which SPF number to choose?

SPF15 will be handy when you’re going to be mostly indoors, for example just nip out to shop in your car.

SPF30 is better choice when you’re going out for a run, long walk with your dog, hiking etc.

SPF50 – when your skin is very pale and easily burnt, you suffer from rosacea, also when it’s your first tanning session in a long time.

The safest SPF number is 50 – best to keep first signs of aging at bay and keep you healthy.

How much should I apply?

Approximate amount we should apply depends on body part we need to cover. It’s approximately half a teaspoon for your face and neck, teaspoon for both arms, teaspoon per leg, front and back of torso as well. And that’s just a bare minimum! Remember to cover your feet and bum as well – that’s parts of body that we often forget!

Key facts to remember to use sunscreen properly, about application and common misconceptions:

• You need to reapply your sunscreen every two hours to keep it working all the time.
• Use amount suited to area you’re applying it to.
• There’s no need for SPF to be expensive but it has to be broad spectrum. SPF number has to be suited to your plans this day (or just go 50 all over!).
• Apply it all over the body – face, neck, arms, throughout body and legs including feet.
• Remember that dark skin also needs protection from sun, it’s not very common for darker skinned people to develop skin cancer but not unheard of!
• Protect also your eyes and head, get sunglasses with UV protection and a hat.
• UV radiation goes through clouds, so just because it doesn’t seem sunny, it doesn’t mean there’s no UV rays coming through.

Thank you for reading! Let me know in comments if you learned something new or maybe you have some questions?

The post Beauty explained – SPF. Why you need it even on a cloudy day? appeared first on Moya Nails & Beauty.

If you want to keep your skin plump and radiant, hyaluronic acid is your best friend. There is plenty products you can choose from these days, however only a few of their ingredients are worth your attention – and hyaluronic acid is one of them.

What is hyaluronic acid and how does it work?

Hyaluronic acid (also HA, hyaluronan) is a substance naturally occuring in your body. Its key quality is binding water – 1g of hyaluronic acid can bind up to 6 litres of it! It helps to heal your wounds, fix your scalp when it’s dry and repair your chapped lips. It even keeps your eyes moist! Paired with collagen, it works hard to keep your skin elastic.

It’s also a key substance in your joints – like a grease, it reduces friction between cartilage and helps to protect joints from impact.

When we’re young, our skin has plenty HA and it’s naturally plump and hydrated. With age, the amount of hyaluronic acid in skin decreases – causing first lines and dryness. Healing also starts to take longer. However, you can help your body by using dietary supplements, adding more HA to your skin care and even use eyedrops including it!

To boost your skincare, why not try some:

• face creams
• serums
• face masks in sheet

All of the above you can find online, in Boots or Superdrug, just remember to always check ingredients list – the higher it is on the list, the more of it in product. A lot adverts brag about ingredients that are hardly there – and the more, the better for you!

How to get the most of it?

• Cleanse your skin properly every day
• If possible, get cleansing facials regularly (your beautician will know what to do!) – clean skin absorbs products better
• Use products as directed
• Remember that serum goes on your skin first – but shouldn’t be applied on its own. You want to top it with face cream, so your skin gets all the benefit.
• Serums and creams will work on the top layer of skin – it will keep it hydrated but if you need more, hyaluronic acid dermal fillers might be something to look at!

Hyaluronic acid can be an amazing addition to your skincare routine – after all, who wouldn’t like lovely plump skin?

The post Beauty explained – Hyaluronic acid. Why it should be in your skincare routine? appeared first on Moya Nails & Beauty.