If there is one thing I could offer every client as we move into the sunlit months of summer, it is this: a deeper appreciation for SPF — and what it truly does for your skin.
Not just on beach days. Not just when it's sunny. Every day, as the final, loving step in your morning routine. Sun protection is one of those habits that quietly works in the background, preserving and protecting everything you're nurturing in your skincare practice. And when you understand what's actually happening beneath the surface, reaching for your SPF each morning starts to feel less like a task on a list and more like a genuine act of care for yourself.
So let's talk about it — the science, the myths, and how to find a formula that truly feels good to use.
What UV Radiation Actually Does
The sun emits two types of ultraviolet radiation that reach the skin: UVA and UVB. Understanding the difference matters.
UVB rays are the ones responsible for sunburn. They affect the outermost layers of the skin and are strongest during peak daylight hours. The "B" is easy to remember — think burn.
UVA rays penetrate much more deeply into the dermis — the layer where collagen and elastin live — and they do so all day, regardless of cloud cover, and right through glass. UVA radiation doesn't cause the immediate redness of a sunburn, which is exactly why it's so easy to underestimate. But it is the primary driver of photoaging: the breakdown of collagen, the deepening of fine lines, the loss of firmness and elasticity. Think "A" for aging.
Together, cumulative UV exposure is responsible for the vast majority of the visible signs of aging we see in the skin over time — far more than genetics alone.
SPF as a Collagen Protector
One of the most meaningful ways I've come to think about SPF is this: it isn't just a shield. It's a preserver of everything your skin is already working to maintain — and everything we're working together to build.
Collagen and elastin are the structural proteins responsible for skin's firmness, bounce, and resilience. Our bodies produce them naturally, and certain treatments and ingredients — like vitamin C, retinoids, and collagen induction therapies such as microneedling — can actively support and stimulate that production. But UV exposure quietly breaks down collagen and elastin on a daily basis, often faster than the skin can replenish them.
This is why SPF can genuinely be thought of as a collagen booster — not because it creates anything new, but because it protects what you already have. If you are investing in your skin through treatments, professional-grade products, or any collagen-supporting protocol, skipping SPF is working directly against that investment. The treatments do the building; SPF protects the work.
UV Damage, Hyperpigmentation, and Your Skin Investments
UV exposure affects the skin in layers — some visible, some happening quietly beneath the surface over time. One of the most common concerns I see in the treatment room is hyperpigmentation — dark spots, uneven tone, and post-inflammatory marks that linger long after a breakout has healed. UV light triggers melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing pigment, to go into overdrive as a protective response. For those prone to melasma, sun spots, or any form of uneven pigmentation, even incidental daily exposure can undo months of brightening work.
But the impact of UV goes beyond pigmentation. Antioxidant serums work hard to neutralize the free radical damage caused by UV and environmental exposure. Barrier-supporting treatments restore the skin's resilience and capacity to heal. Collagen induction therapies stimulate the skin's natural repair processes. Each of these represents real time, care, and investment in your skin — and without consistent SPF, UV exposure continues to work against all of it. Protecting your skin from the sun isn't separate from your skincare routine. It is what makes your routine work.
Understanding Mineral Sunscreen — and Why Non-Nano Zinc Oxide Matters
When it comes to sun protection, my recommendation is always a broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen formulated with non-nano zinc oxide — and here's why.
Mineral sunscreens work by sitting on top of the skin and physically reflecting UV rays rather than absorbing them. This means they offer immediate protection upon application, without needing time to activate. Zinc oxide, specifically, provides the most comprehensive broad-spectrum coverage of any single sunscreen ingredient, protecting against both UVA and UVB rays beautifully.
The non-nano distinction matters significantly. Nano-sized zinc oxide particles are small enough to potentially penetrate the skin barrier and enter the bloodstream, raising concerns that ongoing research continues to explore. Non-nano zinc oxide particles are too large to be absorbed — they stay on the surface of the skin where they belong, doing their job as a physical shield without the uncertainty of systemic absorption. For a product you're applying every single day, that distinction is worth caring about.
There's another important reason I steer clients toward mineral over chemical sunscreen. Chemical sunscreen filters work by absorbing UV radiation and converting it into heat within the skin. That localized heat generation can be a meaningful trigger for conditions like melasma, rosacea, and acne-prone skin — exactly the concerns many people are trying to address. For sensitive or reactive skin in particular, mineral sunscreen is consistently the gentler, more supportive choice.
A Note on Reapplication
Applying SPF in the morning is a beautiful first step — and reapplication is what keeps that protection working throughout the day. Sunscreen gradually breaks down with sun exposure, sweat, and touch, so reapplying every two hours when you're spending extended time outdoors makes a real difference.
For midday reapplication, I want to be honest: I have yet to find a mineral SPF mist that can be applied over makeup without needing to be rubbed in, which makes things tricky. My current recommendation for a practical, elegant solution is the Odacité Tinted Sheer Mineral SPF — it offers beautiful light coverage, blends seamlessly, and works wonderfully for on-the-go reapplication. The Odacité SPF Balms are another lovely option, especially for targeted areas like the nose, lips, and around the eyes.
If you're mostly indoors, a thorough morning application goes a long way — but if you're spending time near windows or stepping outside throughout the day, a midday refresh is always a good idea. Think of reapplication as a small, mindful pause — a moment to care for yourself in the middle of whatever the day holds.
Common SPF Myths — Let's Clear Them Up
"I don't need SPF on cloudy days." Up to 80% of UV rays penetrate cloud cover. Overcast skies are not protective skies.
"My makeup has SPF in it — I'm covered." The amount of foundation or powder you'd need to apply to achieve the labeled SPF is far more than anyone actually wears. Treat the SPF in your makeup as a bonus layer, not your primary protection.
"I have a darker skin tone, so I don't need sunscreen." Melanin does provide some natural protection, but it does not prevent UV damage, photoaging, or the risk of skin cancer. Hyperpigmentation and melasma are actually more common concerns in deeper skin tones, and SPF remains essential for everyone.
"I sit inside all day, so it doesn't matter." UVA rays penetrate glass. If you sit near a window — at home, in the car, at your desk — you are receiving UVA exposure daily.
Finding a Formula You'll Actually Use
The best sunscreen is the one you wear consistently — and there are so many beautifully formulated mineral options now that there is truly something for every skin type and tone.
In the studio, I carry two that I love and trust deeply. The Odacité Sheer Mineral SPF 50 is a weightless, elegant formula that layers effortlessly under makeup without a white cast — one of the most wearable mineral SPFs I've found. For those who prefer or benefit from some coverage, the Marie Veronique Colorfree SPF 32 is a color-free, thoughtfully formulated option with added skin-supporting ingredients that make it feel as much like skincare as sun protection.
If you've had a frustrating experience with sunscreen in the past — pilling, white cast, heaviness — I encourage you to give mineral SPF another look. Formulations have evolved considerably, and finding the right one can genuinely change your relationship with this step.
In the treatment room, I'm always happy to help you find what works for your skin, your routine, and your life. Because the goal is never perfection — it's consistency. And consistency, over time, is what truly protects and preserves the skin you're working so lovingly to care for.
This is your love letter to your future skin. Seal it with SPF — every single day.
