It's Skin Cancer Awareness Month but protecting our skin from UV radiation is important all year round

As we enter summer, people may be ramping up their SPF application, but it's important to note that we should be wearing it all year long, not just when the sun is shining.

SPF protects our skin against UV radiation—UVA and UVB.

UVA radiation makes up 95 per cent of all the UV rays that make it to the Earth’s surface and it contributes to the skin's ageing.

UVB is a high-energy radiation that makes up the remaining five per cent and is associated with sunburn, which damages skin cells and causes DNA mutations that can eventually lead to melanoma and other types of skin cancer.

Wearing a good SPF is paramount to protecting against both forms of UV radiation.

Without it, your skin is left exposed, both from a purely aesthetic point of view and,  more importantly, from a health perspective.

SPF is one of the most important skincare investments you can make

After a severe sunburn in my early 20s on my face, I vowed to never go a day without wearing skin protection ever again. It's almost ten years later, I've kept that promise.

I have trialled numerous reputable brands, always willing to shell out whatever it costs to ensure my skin is safeguarded from UV radiation.

These are the ones that I have found to be lightweight, gentle, and affordable, and ones I will always go back to.

For Travel: La Roche-Posay - Anthelios UVmune SPF50+ Invisible Fluid

The Anthelios UVmune SPF is an OG in my skincare bag and has been for many, many years.

Coming in at 50 ml, it's water and sand-resistant, and has always been the perfect travel SPF that slots into your handbag perfectly.

It has very high protection and not only does exactly what it says on the tin, but it's lightweight, quick to absorb, and perfume-free.

La Roche-Posay SPF keeps your face protected from UVB and UVA, as well as Ultra Long UVA (which accounts for 30 percent of UV sun rays).

For Everyday: Ultraceuticals Ultra UV Protective Daily Mineral Defence SPF50+

Part of my everyday skincare includes the Ultraceuticals Ultra UV Protective Daily Mineral Defence SPF.

While it's a little thicker in consistency compared to the La Roche-Posay SPF, it's still a very lightweight formula that glides on the same way a cream would.

The Ultra UV Protective Daily Mineral Defence is non-comedogenic, so it won't clog the pores, which makes it a brilliant SPF for wearing underneath makeup.

For this reason, this trusted high-protection SPF 50+ is my everyday SPF.

The SPF comes in two different formulas ensuring it caters to all skin types:

• Mattifying: oily, combination, and sensitive skin
• Hydrating: normal and dry skin

For Complexion: Guinot Youth Complexion Cream SPF 50

On those days when I choose to forego makeup, I opt for Guinot's Youth Complexion Cream.

This incredible product, once applied, begins to build a natural, sun-kissed complexion, all while protecting the skin from all UV radiation.

Youth Complexion is also a fabulous travel essential that gives an illuminated, firm, and even-toned appearance.

Its consistency is similar to a cream, but once it's been lightly massaged into the skin, it sits the same as any skin protection.

The shade is made to suit all skin tones.

For all skin types: Q+A Sunscreen Range Broad spectrum SPF 50, PA ++++ UVA protection

If breakouts or irritation from SPFs are a concern, Q+A have specific sunscreen to cater all skin types, address skin concerns, and, most importantly, protect from UV radiation.

The sunscreen comes in three different options:

• Niacinamide: Enhanced with Niacinamide which helps the skin with balancing, regulating oiliness, refining pore size and controlling blemishes (ideal for all skin types).
• Peptide: Infused with collagen-boosting Pre-Peptides and brightening Adzuki Beans to promote a rejuvenated, youthful and supple complexion (ideal for all skin types except stressed skin).
• Squalene: Infused with natural Squalane and softening Meadowfoam Oil which helps to moisturise lacklustre skin for a velvety soft complexion (ideal for all skin types except stressed or oily skin).

Each come in a featherlight, non-greasy, gel-cream based formula, ensuring there is no unwanted pill or residue.

It has a 'hardly there' feel making it a great SPF to wear underneath foundation and makeup and each bottle comes in at 50ml, making it a perfect travel companion.

Even when I'm at home doing nothing, applying SPF is one of the first things I do everyday

After a recent skin scan, the payoff was evident: my pigmentation was minimal, despite that severe burn all those years ago.

This is not only a bonus from an aesthetic perspective, but from a health one too and it further highlights the importance of a good SPF.

Skin cancer is Ireland’s most common cancer, with over 13,000 new cases every year.

However, it is preventative only by protecting our skin from UV radiation.

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