3 out of 4 Danish women use too little sun protection on their face, are you one of them?
It's a small statistic with a big impact. According to the Danish Cancer Society and TrygFonden's annual survey of sun habits, which is part of their joint Sun Campaign, only around 1 out of 4 Danes use as much sun protection as is actually needed. The trend is the same for both men and women, and many forget to use enough, particularly on their face. This means that 3 out of 4 have a false sense of security because they think they're protected, but in reality they're not.
The survey is conducted each year by external research institutes on behalf of the two organisations and examines how Danes actually use sun protection in everyday life.
Here's the short explanation and what you can do instead.
It’s about the amount, not the product
Even the best day cream with SPF only works if you use enough of it. When the tube says SPF 50, it has been tested using a specific amount of cream per square centimetre of skin. Apply half as much and, roughly speaking, you get half the protection. That’s the simple maths behind the number.
How to know if you’re using enough
The amount needed to cover your face and neck is equivalent to two finger lengths of cream. That’s probably more than you usually use. Most people take a small dab on their index finger and spread it over their entire face. That’s too little, even if your skin feels moisturised afterwards.
A good trick is to dab the cream onto several places first, such as your forehead, cheeks, nose and chin, then spread it from the outside in. That way, you can be sure your whole face gets its share.
Don’t forget your ears, neck and the backs of your hands
These three areas are most often overlooked, and they’re often where age shows most clearly over the years. Your neck gets almost as much sun as your face, your ears are exposed every day, and your hands are on the steering wheel and out of your pockets. Use an extra dab when you apply cream to your face in the morning.
Remember to reapply if you’re outside for a long time
SPF in a day cream is plenty for an ordinary day in Denmark. But if you’re outdoors for several hours, swim, sweat or wipe your face, the protection decreases. Take sunscreen with you if you’re spending longer outdoors in nature or at the beach.
Extra tip: Use it all year round
The UV rays that age your skin are almost as strong in winter as in summer. They penetrate clouds and window glass. A day cream with SPF should therefore be your constant companion all year round, not just from April to September.
Two Danish SPF sets for mature skin
At ECOOKING, we’ve put together two ready-made sets with our Firming Cream SPF 50 fragrance-free, so you can easily choose the routine that suits you. Both are developed in Denmark, dermatologically tested and AllergyCertified.
The simple routine: Face cream with SPF 50 and Cleansing Milk, fragrance-free
Two products that work together. A mild Cleansing Milk that cleanses without drying out the skin, and Firming Cream SPF 50 that moisturises, firms and protects. For those who want a fuss-free morning routine but still want to see a real difference in their skin over time.
The full routine: Face cream with SPF 50, energy serum and Cleansing Mousse, fragrance-free
Three steps that build on each other. Cleansing Mousse, energy serum and Firming Cream SPF 50 work together to give you visibly smoother skin in four weeks. For those who want the full routine and are ready to invest five minutes in the morning.
Moisturising face cream with sun protection factor 50 and mild cleanser
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Face cream with SPF 50, Energizing Serum and Cleansing Mousse, fragrance-free
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Would you rather try one product at a time? Explore our full range of face creams with SPF, where you can also choose Pigmentation Cream SPF 30 fragrance-free for pigmentation spots or Daily Sun Shield SPF 50 if you want an ultra-light cream under makeup.
Want to delve deeper?
If you need help finding the right day cream with SPF for your skin, read our comprehensive guide: Face cream with SPF: How to choose the right one for your skin.