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Liberty Lab Notes: SPF

The Ultimate SPF Guide

Even if the sun fails to make an appearance, sunscreen is a non-negotiable. But which SPF is best? Liberty explains it all...
By: Laura Kennedy

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The Ultimate SPF Guide

The Ultimate SPF Guide

Even if the sun fails to make an appearance, sunscreen is a non-negotiable. But which SPF is best? Liberty explains all...

By: Laura Kennedy

If you're jetting off to hotter climes, or simply staying put in the British drizzle, whatever the weather, we still need to protect our skin. And while knowing which SPF is best is an essential aspect of nailing your skincare routine, it really is a form of healthcare too.

With skin cancer diagnoses on the rise, any dermatologist you talk to will embark on their oft-repeated, warning that sun exposure is the number one cause of skin cancer and premature ageing. Thankfully, technology has advanced drastically in the last few years, meaning that a high protection SPF no longer needs to feel like an occlusive layer of petroleum jelly - these days the best formulas deliver a luxurious experience alongside impressive protection. When it comes to SPF, you really can have your cake and eat it.

Which SPF Is Best?

Sun protection factor can be confusing to navigate, but it’s just a measure of how much UV radiation, or how much of the sun’s energy, it takes to burn skin that is wearing sunscreen as opposed to skin that isn’t. The SPF number measures UVB rays – these are the ones which cause the skin’s surface to burn, but it’s UVA rays that have a longer-term impact on your skin. They penetrate deeper to have a long-term impact on the skin, causing damage responsible for pigmentation and premature ageing, as well as increasing the risk of skin cancer. For maximum protection, we should ideally be opting for a broad-spectrum SPF 50+. This will protect us against both UVA and UVB radiation.

La Mer The SPF 50 UV Protecting Fluid 50ml
Ultra Violette Lean Screen SPF 50+ Mattifying Zinc Skinscreen™ 50ml
Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily Defense SPF 50 Lotion 60ml

Which SPF Is Best for My Skintone?

We should all be wearing SPF daily, all year round. It is a myth that people with deeper skin tones don’t need to wear SPF. Darker skin which is left unprotected can still experience sunburn, which can cause long-term damage. UV rays also prompt uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation, which can lead to patchiness. It is crucial for deeper skin to be protected from the sun to prevent skin cancer and damage. Historically, SPF textures and finishes have not been at all inclusive, often leaving a chalky film that looked greyish on deeper skin tones. Thankfully, the technology has vastly improved, and people of all skin tones are being considered and included, so there is an SPF for everyone.

Emma Lewisham Sunceutical SPF 50 Mineral Face Crème
Augustinus Bader The Sunscreen SPF 50 30ml
Kate Somerville HydraKate Illuminating SPF 50 Drops 50ml

There’s SPF in My Moisturiser – Why Can’t I Just Use That?

Even if your foundation or day cream contains SPF, you still need a separate SPF for adequate UV protection. Most foundations and moisturisers are not water-resistant, so they won’t last as well on the skin, and won’t generally be applied thickly enough for you to get the benefit of the SPF content. Liberally applying a standalone SPF after your moisturiser will help to ensure that your skin is protected – but don’t forget your neck and ears!

Which SPF Should I Use, Then?

To choose the right SPF for your skin type, consider your needs – your skin type, whether you wear makeup and prefer a matte or glowing finish, and how long you will be in the sun for. Oily skin that’s prone to congestion may get on better with a light, oil-free texture with a matte finish, while those prone to dryness may prefer a richer texture that offers more radiance.

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An artist wears blue overalls and stands in front of a wall of sculptures

Inspired by LBTY: Liberty 1875 by RA Schools Graduate Esther Gamsu

Meet the winning Royal Academy Schools graduate behind the design of Liberty LBTY. Fragrance’s latest scent.
By: Team Liberty

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Dries Van Noten fragrance bottle on a vanity, next to a vase containing yellow-gold poppies

In Full Colour: Inside the Bold Kaleidoscope of Dries Van Noten Beauty

Liberty explores Dries Van Noten’s unbridled expression of maximalist bliss as the innovative brand brings its beauty collection to our Beauty Hall…

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A pristine blue pool in the sunshine surrounded by trees and yellow sunloungers

In the Lobby with Réservation Parfums

Check in to the fantastical world of Liberty’s latest fragrance arrival, and uncover a world where scent and storytelling combine.
By: Harriet Brown

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By: Harriet Brown
Image of Seventh founder Bukki Ojo and Creative Director Emmanuel Duro

A Spotlight On: Black Owned Brands at Liberty

This Black History Month, discover the work of five Black-owned brands at Liberty leading a new generation of Liberty’s artistic movement

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Dr Barbara Sturm is one of the luxury skincare brands available at Liberty

Professional Skin Advice, in a Bottle

The hardest-working formulas full of cutting-edge ingredients, straight from the pros. Liberty shares the expert-led skincare brands deserving of your precious shelf space
By: Shannon Peter

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Ex Nihilo Blue Talisman Eau de Parfum

In The Studio with Ex Nihilo

Join Liberty as we step into Ex Nihilo’s world of boundary-pushing perfumery - where Parisian artistry meets innovation, and every scent is a statement of individuality.
By: Team Liberty

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Perfumer Clement Gavarry

Meet the Perfumer: Clement Gavarry

The creator of Liberty LBTY.’s new fragrance tells us about bottling 150 years of history and collaborating with the Royal Academy Schools
By: Georgia Graham

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By: Georgia Graham
A woman sitting in a chair, holding skincare products, wearing an all-white outfit

Arabella Preston’s Natural Skincare Mission

Liberty talks to the Votary co-founder about building a skincare empire, from the kitchen table to the Liberty Beauty Hall
By: Amy Falconer

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By: Amy Falconer
Discover the new Beauty Kits just launched at Liberty

Liberty, Home of the Best Beauty Kits and Boxes

All hail the Liberty beauty kit: our expertly curated edits of must-have beauty products designed to satisfy your every beauty need
By: Team Liberty

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The Taylor Taylor salon at Liberty

Routines & Rituals: The Spa in the Heart of Soho

From transportive massages to transformative facials, and haircare tailored to modern life: there’s a world of ritual wonder hidden at Liberty
By: Team Liberty

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A bottle of product in a dimly lit room

Anything but Routine: 4 Products to Transform Your Haircare Rituals

Relax into a new era of haircare routines: redefined for modern beauty needs.
By: Team Liberty

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