At Krī, we often talk about the power of potent actives like Bakuchiol and Vitamin C to restore skin health. However, there is one step in your routine that matters more than any serum we could ever formulate. It is the unglamorous, often overlooked daily shield of sunscreen.
We view sun protection not just as a beauty product but as a non-negotiable health essential. It is the primary defence against the ultraviolet rays that cause the vast majority of premature skin ageing and, more critically, serious health risks. If you are investing time and money into high-quality skincare to repair your complexion, skipping SPF is effectively undoing that hard work before you have even left the house.
The difference between burning and ageing
To understand why daily protection is vital, it helps to distinguish between the two types of UV radiation that reach us. We often rely on the visual cue of sunburn to tell us when we have had too much sun, but that only tells half the story.
UVB rays are the ones responsible for burning. They have a shorter wavelength and their intensity fluctuates depending on the height of the sun. These are the rays you feel on a hot summer afternoon between late morning and mid-afternoon.
UVA rays are entirely different and far more stealthy. With a longer wavelength, they penetrate much deeper into the dermis where they damage collagen and elastin. This deep-level disruption is a leading cause of premature ageing, pigmentation, and wrinkles. Crucially, UVA rays are present at constant intensity during all daylight hours, regardless of the temperature. They can pass through clouds, rain, and even window glass. This means that if you are sitting by a window on a grey Tuesday in November, your skin is still absorbing UVA radiation.
Why we trust European regulation
Navigating sunscreen labels can be confusing, but European regulations are among the strictest in the world, which simplifies the choice significantly.
In the UK and Europe, you will notice that SPF ratings are standardised to simple categories of 15, 30, 50, and 50+. We do not use arbitrary numbers like SPF 100 because the difference in protection becomes negligible at that high end.
For context, an SPF 30 blocks about 97% of UVB rays, while SPF 50 blocks about 98%. The jump is small, but for compromised skin, that extra percent can be valuable.
The most important symbol to look for on your bottle is the letters "UVA" inside a circle. This is a specific European regulatory mark. It guarantees that the product offers broad-spectrum protection, meaning the UVA protection is at least one-third of the stated SPF. Without this balance, you might be protected from burning (UVB) while still leaving your skin vulnerable to the deep cellular damage caused by UVA.
Integrating SPF into a minimalist routine
We know that adding another layer to your skincare regime can feel heavy, especially if you prefer a lightweight feel. The key is to view sunscreen as your protective coat. It should always be the very last layer of your morning routine.
Once your skin feels treated and nourished with the help of your serums/moisturiser, apply your sunscreen over the top. This ensures the actives in your serums can penetrate effectively, while the sunscreen sits on the surface to form a uniform barrier against the environment.
By making this simple step a daily habit rather than a holiday-only ritual, you are giving your skin the best possible chance to remain healthy, resilient, and radiant for years to come.
