TOTALLY POLISHED'S
BEAUTY BLOG
A Guide to SPF
We talk a lot about glowing skin at Totally Polished. About the treatments, the products, the routines that keep your skin looking and feeling its very best. But there is one step that underpins absolutely everything and it is the one that is most often skipped, forgotten or saved just for holidays.
SPF.
Not just in summer. Not just when you can feel the sun on your face. Every single day, all year round, without exception.
If you have never quite understood why or you have been meaning to make it a daily habit and just have not got there yet, this guide is for you.
What Do the Numbers Actually Mean?
You have seen them on every sunscreen bottle: SPF 15, SPF 30, SPF 50.
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and measures how well a sunscreen protects against UVB rays, the rays primarily responsible for sunburn.
The higher the SPF, the greater the level of UVB protection:
SPF 15 — blocks approximately 93% of UVB rays
SPF 30 — blocks approximately 97% of UVB rays
SPF 50 — blocks approximately 98% of UVB rays
SPF 50+ — the highest level of protection available
While SPF is often described as extending your skin's natural protection time, real-world factors such as sweating, swimming, rubbing the skin, and applying too little product mean sunscreen should still be reapplied regularly throughout the day.
Most people apply less sunscreen than is needed to achieve the protection stated on the bottle, which is why many skin professionals recommend SPF 50 for daily facial use.
The difference between 97% and 98% protection may sound small, but for those with pigmentation, post-treatment skin, or a history of sun damage, that extra level of protection can make a significant difference.
But It Is Not Just About UVB
This is where most people's understanding of sun protection stops, but it really shouldn't.
UVB rays are the ones that burn. UVA rays are the ones that age. They penetrate deeper into the skin, breaking down collagen and elastin, contributing to fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation, and long-term skin damage.
Unlike UVB rays, which are strongest during the summer months, UVA rays are present at relatively consistent levels all year round. They can even penetrate through clouds and window glass, meaning your skin is exposed during everyday activities such as driving or sitting near a window.
And then there is Visible Light and Infrared A, two further forms of radiation that are increasingly being researched for their role in skin ageing and pigmentation.
The most advanced sun protection products now offer broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays, with some formulations also helping to defend against the effects of Visible Light and Infrared A.
Which is why the SPF number on the bottle is only part of the story, the quality and breadth of protection your sunscreen provides really does matter.
Why SPF Should Be Used Every Single Day
This is the part we feel most passionate about at Totally Polished and it is the message we share with every single client who comes through our doors.
UVA rays don't take days off. They are present in January just as much as July. They come through office windows, reach your skin on overcast days, and are there whether you can feel the sun or not.
Visible Light and Infrared A are also increasingly being recognised for their role in skin ageing and pigmentation, which is why comprehensive daily protection is so important.
Daily SPF use is one of the most evidence-based things you can do for your long-term skin health. Studies consistently show that people who use SPF daily experience less premature ageing, reduced pigmentation, and maintain a more even, healthy-looking skin tone over time.
And here's something we think about from a treatment perspective: every facial, every skin treatment, and every result we achieve together in the salon deserves to be protected. The investment you make in your skin through professional treatments becomes even more effective when it is supported by daily sun protection at home.
If you're not currently using an SPF every day, there truly is no better time to start than now.
When Should SPF Be Applied in Your Skincare Routine?
This is one of the most common questions we get asked....
SPF should always be the last step of your morning skincare routine, applied after your cleanser, toner, serum and moisturiser, and before your makeup if you wear it.
Here is why this matters. Chemical sunscreen filters need to be in direct contact with the skin to work effectively. Physical or mineral filters need to sit on the surface to reflect UV rays. Either way, applying SPF over other products means it is doing its job properly.
A simple morning routine order:
-
Cleanser
-
Toner (if you use one)
-
Serum or treatment product
-
Moisturiser
-
SPF — always last
-
Makeup (if applicable)
And remember, SPF needs to be reapplied throughout the day, especially if you are spending time outdoors. A general rule is to reapply every two hours in direct sun exposure, or after swimming and sweating.
Introducing Heliocare to Totally Polished
Finding a sun protection range we truly believed in was really important to us, which is why we are so excited to be bringing Heliocare into the salon.
Heliocare is a dermatological, very high full spectrum sun protection range trusted by skin specialists and dermatologists worldwide. It offers protection against UVA, UVB, Visible Light and Infrared A, the complete picture of daily sun protection for face, body and children.
But what makes Heliocare truly special is that it does not feel like traditional sunscreen. These are elegant, skin-loving formulas that work as skincare as much as sun protection, no white cast, no heavy residue, no reason not to wear them every single day.
A personal note from Ffion..
"I have been using Heliocare personally for over five years. As someone who is passionate about skin health and who sees first-hand the damage that unprotected sun exposure causes over time, finding a range I genuinely love using every single day was so important to me. When I decided to introduce a skincare sun range to Totally Polished, there was only ever one choice. I wanted to offer something I believed in completely, not just as a professional but as someone who uses it on her own skin every morning. Heliocare is that range and I cannot wait to share it with you"
Our Three Favourite Products from the Range
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Heliocare 360 Sensitive
An ultralight sunscreen with an invisible finish suitable for all skin types and all skin tones. If you have ever avoided SPF because it feels too heavy, too greasy or leaves a white cast, this is the one that will change your mind. Gentle, effective and completely undetectable on the skin.
£24.80
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Heliocare 360 Age Active Fluid
A light, silky fluid with an innovative hydrating formula and soft focus finish that helps plump the skin and visibly reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. A subtle pigment helps even skin tone, making this your SPF and your skincare in one beautifully efficient step. Perfect for anyone who wants their sun protection to actively work for their skin at the same time.
£26.39
Heliocare 360 Age Active Fluid
A light, silky fluid with an innovative hydrating formula and soft focus finish that helps plump the skin and visibly reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. A subtle pigment helps even skin tone, making this your SPF and your skincare in one beautifully efficient step. Perfect for anyone who wants their sun protection to actively work for their skin at the same time.
£26.39