We all know we should be wearing SPF, don’t we?

It’s one of those things we hear all the time. Wear SPF. Protect your skin. Don’t forget your sun cream.

But if we’re honest, a lot of us still think of SPF as something for holidays, hot days or sitting in the garden. It can feel like an extra thing to remember, and if you’ve ever used old-fashioned sun cream that feels sticky, heavy or smells a bit too “chemical”, it’s easy to see why it gets missed.

But SPF is one of the most important steps in your skincare routine.

And the good news is, it doesn’t have to feel like sun cream at all.

Why SPF Matters

The sun affects our skin even when it doesn’t feel especially sunny.

UVB rays are the ones we usually notice because they are linked with burning and redness. UVA rays are sneakier. They are around all year, can come through cloud and glass, and are strongly linked with premature ageing, pigmentation, uneven tone and loss of firmness.

So this isn’t just about avoiding sunburn on holiday.

It’s about protecting your skin every day.

If you’re investing in lovely skincare, having facials or trying to keep your skin healthy, SPF helps protect all that good work. It helps defend your skin from damage that can build up slowly over time, often long before we actually see it.

And yes, ageing is natural. I’m not interested in making anyone feel bad about laughter lines or living a full life. But there is a difference between natural ageing and preventable sun damage.

SPF is simply a beautiful act of daily care.

SPF30 or SPF50?

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor, and it mainly tells you about protection from UVB rays, the ones linked with burning.

For everyday use, SPF30 is generally a really good level of protection. SPF50 gives extra reassurance, especially if you are fair, prone to pigmentation, using active skincare, spending more time outdoors or just feel happier with a higher factor on your face.

You also want to look for broad-spectrum protection, which means the product helps protect against both UVA and UVB rays.

In simple terms:

SPF30 is a great everyday choice.

SPF50 gives extra protection and peace of mind.

Broad-spectrum means it protects against both the rays that burn and the rays that age the skin.

My Temple Spa SPF Favourites

I recommend having a separate SPF for your face and body, because the skin on your face and body is different.

A facial SPF needs to be light, comfortable, non-greasy and easy to wear every day, ideally under makeup or over your usual skincare.

A body SPF needs to spread easily, absorb well and feel lovely on the skin, so you actually want to use it.

This is where the Temple Spa ones are gorgeous.

For the face, I recommend LIFE DEFENCE SPF30 or LIFE DEFENCE SPF50. These are lightweight facial moisturisers with broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection, and they feel much more like skincare than traditional sun cream.

For the body, I recommend BODY DEFENCE SPF30. It gives high protection for the body while feeling hydrating, silky and easy to wear.

And honestly, they smell lovely. They don’t have that heavy, old-fashioned, chemical sun cream smell. They feel much more luxurious, which makes a big difference, because the best SPF is always the one you’ll actually enjoy using.

How to Use SPF

Use your facial SPF as the last step in your morning skincare routine, after your usual moisturiser.

Apply it to your face, neck, chest and any areas that are exposed. Don’t forget your ears, hands and the back of your neck.

If you’re outdoors for longer, sweating, swimming or sitting in the sun, you’ll need to reapply.

And of course, SPF doesn’t mean we can roast ourselves! Shade, hats, sunglasses and covering up still matter too.

Current Temple Spa Offer

At the moment, Temple Spa has a lovely Defence Duo offer.

You can choose LIFE DEFENCE SPF30 or LIFE DEFENCE SPF50 for the face, plus BODY DEFENCE SPF30 for the body, for £63, saving £20.

It’s a brilliant way to get your face and body SPF sorted in one go.

If you’re not sure whether to choose SPF30 or SPF50 for your face, just ask me. SPF30 is a beautiful everyday option, while SPF50 is ideal if you want that extra level of protection.

A Gentle Reminder

You don’t need a complicated skincare routine.

But if there’s one step I’d really encourage you not to skip, it’s SPF.

Cleanse your skin. Nourish it. Enjoy your lovely products. Come for your facials.

But protect your skin too.

It’s one of the simplest things you can do to help keep your skin healthy, radiant and cared for, not just for summer, but all year round.

With love, Julia 🤍