We all know how important it is to wear SPF all year round, but it’s especially so when we’re outside in the sun, yet we’re all guilty of taking the odd 30-minute amble around the park without protecting our skin. 

This is particularly true when it comes to exercise – whether you head out first thing in the morning with a bare face or nip out for a run after work once you’ve removed your make-up, it’s easy to get carried away without thinking about your skin.  

But you’ll be fine without it for that 30-minute run in the sunshine, right? Not so fast. The best dermatologists will always recommend SPF when outside, no matter how long or what the weather is.

“It’s best to wear SPF at all times when you’re outdoors to be on the safe side and prevent unnecessary sun damage – even if you’re only outside for 30 minutes,” says Ada Ooi, founder of 001 Skincare. “UV rays can damage your skin even when it’s cloudy, as they can penetrate through the clouds.”

Despite that, many of us still skip it. The faff of layering on sun cream before sweating is unappealing – it takes us back to childhood days of streaky white lines and stinging eyes. But that doesn’t have to be the case, says Ooi.

“As you exercise, you’ll get more sweaty, and this will gradually lessen the effectiveness of your sunscreen. Sweat-proof sunscreens usually have polymer ingredients acting as a ‘cling film’ that sticks to the skin better, preventing sweat from wiping it off,” she says.

The key lies in finding an SPF that is sweatproof while also light enough that it can cling to the skin without suffocating it, especially if you’re sweating. She says you should find a formula that allows two lines of sun cream, each a finger’s length, to cover your face without feeling too heavy. 

“But the most important thing to remember about protecting your skin while you’re working out is to top up your sunscreen regularly,” Ooi adds. 

“If you’re exercising outside for more than two hours you will need to reapply, even if it’s a water-resistant or sweat-proof formula. Active sunscreens designed for exercise tend to be the best for the outdoors as they bounce or scatter UV off the skin immediately before it can penetrate.

As for SPF factor? Put down the bottle of 15. “SPF30 and above is the recommended factor to wear, but if your skin is very fair you might need a higher factor, such as SPF50, as your skin is at higher risk of sun damage,” she says.

“Even with us using more SPF than we’ve ever used in the past 20 years, skin cancer is still the fastest-growing cancer,” says Corinna Tolan, owner of Monica Tolan The Skin Experts London. 

“The reality is that SPF is not winning the battle, so it’s important to keep out of the sun when possible. It’s always best to use physical coverage – specifically, to wear a hat that comes down below your hairline.” 

So SPF isn’t foolproof, but because we tend to wear fewer layers when exercising, it is even more crucial. Ideally, you’d keep out of the midday sun: “Try to arrange outdoor activities for early morning, before midday when the sun is at its highest, or after 3pm when the sun begins to set,” says Tolan.

Images: Getty; courtesy Of brands