Midsummer may be behind us, but the sunniest days of summer could still be ahead of us. Long days, cottage getaways, festivals, and restaurant terraces invite us to spend more time outside – and expose our skin to sunlight and UV radiation. We asked cosmetic chemist Jaana Ailus what people should keep in mind about skin health and sun protection right now.
According to Ailus, there is no need to specifically prepare your skin for sun exposure, but making a few adjustments to your skincare routine can help your skin cope better with the summer season.
“There’s no real need to prepare the skin for summer, but it’s a good idea to stop using products that increase sun sensitivity, as well as strong exfoliants, so they don’t make the skin more prone to sunburn.”
Instead, the most important foundation of summer skincare is maintaining healthy, well-hydrated skin.
“It’s important to keep the skin in good condition, as a healthy skin barrier helps protect against potential irritants. In other words, hydration and the use of creams or oils help support the skin’s natural balance.”
How to Protect Your Skin from the Sun Properly
When it comes to summer skincare, the most important thing is simple but consistent protection.
“The most important things are protection and applying sunscreen correctly. Clothing can provide excellent protection, which is why wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses are great choices.”
Sunscreen should be applied carefully to all areas exposed to the sun, especially the ears, fingers, and toes, which are often forgotten. It is also important to reapply protection throughout the day, particularly if you sweat or if the sunscreen rubs off. As a rule of thumb, reapplication every two hours is a good guideline. According to Ailus, the most common mistake is simple: people apply far too little sunscreen and do so unevenly.
UV Radiation Affects the Skin Even Without Sunburn
Many people associate sun damage only with sunburn, but according to Ailus, UV radiation affects the skin even when it does not turn red.
“The sun – or more specifically UV radiation – damages the skin even if it doesn’t burn. Recent research in the field also suggests that UV radiation may damage the skin microbiome.”
In other words, the skin can suffer damage even when there are no immediate visible signs.
Ailus also points out that there are common misconceptions about tanning.
“I do not recommend trying to get a tan, because a tan is always a sign of skin damage. Tanning means that the skin’s protective mechanism against UV radiation has been activated, which indicates that the skin has already sustained damage.”
Sunscreen Safety – Products Sold in the EU Are Safe to Use
Although sunlight itself places stress on the skin, the use of sunscreen continues to raise concerns and uncertainty among some consumers. According to Ailus, these concerns are unnecessary.
“From a chemical safety perspective, all sunscreens currently sold in the EU are safe to use. Safety limits and maximum concentrations have been established for all UV filters. These limits are calculated on the assumption that a person uses the product every day of the year on 75% of their body. Therefore, using a sunscreen during the summer in Finland doesn’t come anywhere close to those limits.”
According to Ailus, it is also important to keep the bigger picture in mind when discussing sunscreen safety.
“It is far safer to use any sunscreen available on the market than to use none at all.”
Finally: The Most Important Advice for Summer
When asked to share just one piece of advice for someone preparing for summer, Ailus’s answer has nothing to do with skincare products. Instead, it is about everyday enjoyment and making the most of the season.
“Enjoy the Finnish summer – eat some good street food and go listen to live music outdoors.”
