If you had to choose just one skincare product, it should be sunscreen. Not the most expensive serum, not the most exclusive cream. SPF. And if you already use it in the summer but skip it the rest of the year, there is something important you should know.
What is SPF and how does it work?
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. It measures a product's ability to protect the skin against UVB radiation—the kind that causes sunburns. But complete protection must also cover UVA rays, which penetrate deeper and are responsible for premature aging and dark spots.
An SPF 30 blocks approximately 97% of UVB rays. An SPF 50 blocks 98%. The difference between 30 and 50 is smaller than it seems—what really matters is that you use it every day and reapply it if you are exposed to the sun.
Why use it even when it's not sunny?
UV radiation is present throughout the year, regardless of the weather. UVA rays, in particular, pass through clouds and glass. If you drive to work, if you work near a window, if you go out even for ten minutes—your skin is being exposed.
Sun damage is cumulative. It's not about a single sunburn: it is years of daily, unprotected exposure that manifests decades later in the form of spots, wrinkles, and loss of firmness.
The most effective SPF is the one you actually use
The best sunscreen is not necessarily the one with the highest factor—it is the one you find comfortable to use every day. If a heavy texture or white residue makes you skip it, look for another option.
Modern sunscreen formulations integrate perfectly into your skincare ritual: there are versions in moisturizing creams, serums, and lightweight fluids. La Forêt offers options with built-in SPF that protect and care simultaneously, with no extra steps.
A notable exception is the Cellular Protector SPF 30 UVA/UVB from La Forêt: a lightweight emulsion formulated with encapsulated organic and inorganic filters that, unlike most sunscreens on the market, can be reapplied every 8 hours—making it an especially practical option for daily use without the need for frequent reapplications.
How much to apply and when?
- Apply sunscreen as the last step of your morning ritual, after your moisturizer.
- Use a generous amount: for the face, approximately half a teaspoon.
- If you are exposed directly to the sun, reapply every two hours.
The benefits go beyond protection
Using SPF daily is also the most effective anti-spot strategy that exists. If you are treating dark spots with a specific serum but do not use sunscreen, the treatment loses much of its effectiveness—the sun stimulates melanin production again and undoes your progress.
SPF is not just for the beach. It's for Tuesday morning when you go to work. For a cloudy Saturday. For every day that you want your skin to look good in the future.