In the second part of our skincare in the sun series, Tej is talking to us about the products she recommends, and why it’s always wise to use a separate sun care product rather than one which is added to a moisturiser or foundation.

Why do you need to use a separate sunscreen and moisturiser?

At Tej & Co we always recommend using a separate moisturiser and sunscreen even if there are combined products available on the market.  The reason behind this is that moisturisers are designed to penetrate the skin providing hydration and preventing water from evaporating from the skin. 

Sunscreens on the other hand are designed to sit within the surface of the skin and reflect or absorb UV radiation. Combining the two products in the same product bottle means one of them will have to compromise its action. You can’t have both products working at the optimum level if they are mixed together as they each have a different purpose. 

The only way you can guarantee the strength and protection of your sunscreen product is by purchasing it as an individual product. So with this in mind at Tej & Co we only recommend using a separate moisture followed by your chosen, or prescribed sunscreen product.

What about foundation containing an SPF?

Although it might be tempting to skip purchasing a sunscreen and just go straight for a foundation that claims to have protecting ingredients, ideally you should apply a sunscreen underneath your foundation. 

Replacing a sunscreen with a foundation will not give you the same level of protection as the mineral filters in make-up scatter and reflect the light. This means they can only provide a low-level sun protection factor. It simply wouldn’t be possible to provide an adequate level of sunscreen built into a foundation product, you have to use a dedicated sunscreen for this.  

Chemical Vs Physical Sunscreens 

Recent studies have shown that chemical and physical sunscreens work in the same way by absorbing UV radiation and causing a cellular reaction within the skin. They then convert the radiation to heat and help prevent oxidative stress to the skin. 

A physical block only reflects approx 5% of UVB rays and the remainder is absorbed just like a chemical block sunscreen meaning both are equally effective. We recommend choosing a sunscreen based on non-active ingredients and the impact on skin cellular functions. 

You need to ensure your chosen product is free from barrier disruptors, fragrances, colours, and dyes, preservatives, and emulsifiers. 

You need to look for the words, ‘broad spectrum’ which means it covers both UVA & UVB rays from the sun, giving ultimate protection to the skin.  

Tej’s recommended sun protection products.

The Tej & Co bespoke range of sun protection products are carefully chosen and selected by Tej. They have been selected due to the superior sun protection they offer while sitting well on a variety of skin types and providing a protective base for the skin.

Dermaviduals Sun Cream SPF 30, SPF 50

This product provides twice as much protection due to the DMS ingredients which protect the skin’s natural barrier, while the sun protection filters protect against UVA and UVB radiation. 

Dermaviduals Sun Cream is ideal to use on sensitive, reactive skins such as eczema, rosacea or acne as well as any skin with a barrier impairment.

Colour Science have two high SPF products to target specific skin concerns: 

All Calm SPF50 is a 3 -in-1 redness corrector. It neutralises redness, helps soothe and calm sensitive skin, and provides SPF 50 protection as well as giving ongoing relief from sensitivity and the appearance of redness.

Even Up SPF 50 is a clinical pigment perfector which is lightly tinted with one shade pigment foundation that blends flawlessly to dimmish the appearance of discolouration and blur all stubborn brown spots. This product will protect against future sun damage and is perfect to wear alone or under makeup.

Epionce Daily Shield SPF50 is a water-resistant product designed for all skin types. It provides sheer, broad-spectrum protection making it ideal to wear alone or under make-up. The product will even out skin tone and give optimum protection from UV exposure.