You know that famous phrase that there are only two unavoidable things in life: death and taxes. Well, we believe this should be updated to three unavoidable things: death, taxes and ageing like unpasteurised milk if you don’t apply your SPF religiously.
We know, we know, it may seem harsh at first, but if there is something we are always going to deliver at Skinsmiths, it’s the hard truth. The ones you might not want to hear, but need to hear, and will thank us for telling you in twenty years (actually, probably less). Kind of like being force-fed vegetables when you were a child, it’s not until your frontal lobe miraculously enters stage left when you turn 25 that you think, actually, our parents were probably onto something.
Well, just like aiming to get your 5+ a day, wearing sunscreen religiously (and reapplying) is absolutely worth the hype. Like, you can have all the expensive lotions and potions under the sun, and if you are skimping on SPF, it’s not going to save you from those multiplying lines you might be starting to notice post-frontal lobe development.
But, with most things these days, there is a ton of misinformation and scaremongering that comes along with all things sunscreen and SPF. Even though I am sure we are all fairly caught up on how important sun protection is, not only for anti-ageing purposes, but also for your health, you’d be shocked by how many people still believe these myths. So to get you on the right track skin health-wise, we are here to address all the most common SPF myths and provide you with the science-backed facts instead.
Myth one: I only need SPF when it's sunny
Look, this one probably makes sense to the untrained eye, so we will forgive you for falling for it. But the truth is, whether it's cloudy, cold, or cyclone-weather out there, none of that matters to our friends UVA rays. These are the opposite of fair-weather friends, they are around all year, penetrating through clouds, windows and your optimistic logic. Every birthday. Every Christmas. They will be there. Long story short, UV radiation does not care about a few scattered clouds.
While UVB rays (which you might associate with those sunny days) are responsible for sunburn, UVA rays are their sneakier counterpart. They actually penetrate the skin more deeply than UVB and are responsible for all of those things we are likely trying to avoid, like premature ageing, pigmentation, and collagen breakdown.
While you may not burn, you are still exposed. That’s why dermatologists say SPF every day, rain or shine, is simply a non-negotiable if you want to protect yourself and your skin. Yes, even on those late afternoon supermarket runs and cloudy coffee walks, it’s called playing the long game when it comes to your skin.
Myth two: High SPF means you don’t have to reapply
Look, we get it, reapplying can be a hassle. Especially if you wear makeup every day. And while we wish this one were true, sadly, it is not. This is what makes it one of those sneaky myths because it actually does sound logical: SPF 50 = almost twice as good as SPF 30, right? Well, not quite.
SPF 30 blocks around 97% of UVB rays, and SPF 50 blocks around 98%. While this may not sound like a lot, that 1% makes a huge difference, but it isn’t as powerful as people assume. What really matters when it comes to sunscreen is that you have a good quality one, and that you are applying the right amount, more than once a day.
In a real-world scenario, people rarely apply enough sunscreen to get the labelled level of protection, and they almost never reapply, let's be real. So yes, a higher SPF can give you a little bit more of a buffer, but it doesn't let you off the hook in terms of having to reapply throughout the day.
Pro tip: Use a generous teaspoon for the face and neck when you apply your morning skincare (before you go to the gym, please) and reapply every two hours if you are outdoors. If you are inside most of the day, a single application in the morning and a top-up after lunchtime should be fine, unless you sit next to floor-to-ceiling windows all day.
Myth three: Moisturiser or foundation with SPF is enough
If you have been riding out the last however many years with an SPF15 tinted moisturiser and a hope and prayer, it’s time for a reality check. Unless you are applying a comically thick amount, there is no way you are getting the level of protection that is printed on the packaging. That’s because SPF testing is usually carried out using very specific amounts.
While foundation and moisturiser with SPF are fine for incidental exposure, they do not substitute the need for a proper sunscreen. They are the cherry on the top, if you will, not the whole cake.
If you want proper protection without rethinking your makeup routine, opt for a standalone SPF that layers beautifully underneath your products (we’ll get to our favourite one shortly). If your foundation or moisturiser also has SPF in it, well, that’s an added bonus.
Myth four: I don’t burn, therefore I don’t need sunscreen
Sunburn is not the only form of sun damage. We regret to inform you. Just because your skin doesn’t go lobster red after a beach day doesn’t mean it’s immune to the well-documented damage the sun can cause.
Remember those UVA rays we mentioned earlier, well those can cause invisible, long-term damage even if your skin tone means you don’t visibly burn. People with deeper skin tones are often underrepresented in sun safety for this very reason. But the need for sun protection is universal.
And, what is even more concerning, is that skin cancer is often detected later in people with darker skin, leading to worse outcomes down the track. So, long story short, everyone, regardless of your melanin levels, needs a broad-spectrum sunscreen. No exceptions!
Myth five: Sunscreen makes me break out
While old school SPFs were thick, greasy and full-on pore-clogging vibes, the world of sunscreen has evolved far beyond the ghosts of their past. Especially with mineral formulations that don’t rely on chemical filters. These modern formulas are often non-comedogenic, fragrance-free, and come jam-packed with calming ingredients like zinc oxide, which can actually help soothe irritation, redness and breakouts.
If your skin tends to freak out easily, look for physical sunscreens, which are often called mineral sunscreens. These sit on the surface of the skin, rather than fully absorbing into it. And bonus, some, like the one we are about to reveal, are even tinted to eliminate white cast and blend effortlessly into your routine.
Myth six: Mineral sunscreens leave a ghostly white cast
We hear you, and many of us are still suffering from the trauma of early 2000s beach formulas. But trust us, things have changed.
The mineral sunscreens gracing our shelves these days are ultra-fine oxide particles or iron oxides that work to reduce that chalky finish and deliver a more skin-like tint. The result? A formula that both protects and perfects.
So, now that we have put those myths to bed, it’s time to talk about that product we have been shamelessly plugging throughout this blog. Drum roll, please.
Meet Skinsmiths Daily Mineral Defence SPF40
Let’s talk about a sunscreen that actually gets it. A sunscreen that doesn’t feel like a thick, chalky afterthought, but like a deliberate, feel-good part of your skincare ritual. Well… that’s exactly what Skinsmiths’ new Daily Mineral Defence SPF40 brings to the table.
This isn’t your old-school mineral sunscreen. Daily Mineral Defence is silky, sheer, and surprisingly luxe. It’s powered by non-nano zinc oxide, which is one of the safest and most effective broad-spectrum filters on the planet. Instead of sinking into your skin like chemical sunscreens, zinc oxide sits gently on top like a tiny invisible shield, bouncing away harmful UVA and UVB rays before they can even think about ruining your collagen. And because it’s non-nano, it stays right where it should… on the surface. Making it an excellent choice for sensitive or reactive skin types.
And, like all modern sunscreens worth their weight in gold, it’s not just a sunscreen either. It also comes packed with a heap of extra goodness like vitamin C to brighten, and Skinsmith's staple SauvigNZ™, an ingredient derived from none other than New Zealand grown sauvignon blanc grapes, which turns out, are not only delicious, but also double duty as a skincare hero that helps protect against daily aggressors like pollution.
Texture wise, it’s a dream. No heaviness, no greasy film, no pilling. It glides on effortlessly, feels weightless on the skin, and sets to a soft, natural finish that makes you forget you’re even wearing sunscreen. If you’ve ever skipped SPF because of how it made your skin feel, this one changes the game. It’s so comfortable you’ll want to apply it… and that’s literally the whole point.
Daily Mineral Defence SPF40 is the sunscreen that gets it right. It protects, it perfects, and it pampers. It’s skincare with integrity, and of course, a side of sauvignon. What more could you want in a daily ritual?
