When it comes to my daily skincare and beauty routine, it’s taken a while to get right.
I’ve searched for years for the perfect moisturiser, the foundation that matches my skin the most and the serum that delivers on those results promised to me on the bottle.
But even though I know it’s a non-negotiable every single day, there’s one product I’ve always struggled to settle on when it comes to my routine: sunscreen.
Until now.
The power of sunscreen
When I’ve felt frustrated by my “sunscreen search”, I remind myself of just why it’s so important to wear it every day.
For starters, it can reduce the risk of some skin cancers, plus it aids in the prevention of premature skin ageing. UV rays can break down the proteins (like keratin and collagen) responsible for preventing wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging, and damage from the sun can lead to discolouration and pigmentation.
Wearing sunscreen daily can help prevent further damage to our skin – that means it can stop us from needing to use more (often expensive) corrective products in the future.
Finding your perfect fit
From Instagram famous sunscreens that have left my face feeling oily and seen my meticulously applied makeup melting off in minutes, to expensive lotions that have caused me major breakouts, I’ve tried and tested a lot of face sunscreens before settling on one.
Meet Hamilton Everyday Face SPF50+ sunscreen – aka my sunscreen soulmate.
Not only does it offer both UVA and UVB broad spectrum protection, but it is Australian made and owned – so I know it’s especially suited for our harsh conditions.
It’s free from fragrance, so I’m not stuck with that sunscreen-smell (you know the one…) all day, and it contains Aloe Vera and Vitamin E – so, as a bonus to being protected, my skin gets an extra hit of moisture.
And the best part? The lightweight, matte finish and sheer tint doesn’t mess with my flawless (if I do say so myself) face.
The art of layering
There is still an art to applying sunscreen to get the most out of your makeup while getting the maximum protection for your skin.
My mantra? Order is important, but timing is everything.
I apply my skincare first, so those nourishing formulas are as close to my face as possible. I leave at least a minute between products to allow them to settle and soak into my skin – and prevent pesky “pilling” (those tiny balls and grittiness that can appear on our skin as we apply our products).
Then it’s time for my sunscreen – which should be applied 20 minutes before sun exposure. To get the most out of my SPF, I use one teaspoon of product for my face and neck.
Then, I wait five minutes for it to fully absorb before my makeup regime begins (which also happens to be the perfect amount of time to reply to those texts from my friends I forgot to respond to last week… oops).
Of course, sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours – and the lightweight and sheer formula of Hamilton Everyday Face SPF50+ means my foundation isn’t ruined in the process.
Sponsored by Hamilton.
Always read the label. Follow the directions for use. Reapply frequently. Avoid prolonged sun exposure and wear protective clothing, hats and eyewear when exposed to the sun.