Why Do We Not Talk About SPF All Year?

Why are we only speaking about SPF seasonally? Why as beauty, lifestyle + health writers, do we not want to highlight skin health protection all year round?

Online skincare retailer Face the Future, commissioned a 2025 survey through YouGov with 2,081 people as part of their 365 Days of SPF Campaign, finding the following:

• Almost half of the UK (45%) do not apply SPF daily/most days
• Only 55% of the UK are aware that UVA rays are the leading cause of premature skin ageing
• Over two-thirds of the UK (69%) say their opinion on SPF has become more important than when they were younger
• The number one way to encourage daily use of sun protection is through SPF included in make-up/skincare products
• The UK's influence to purchase SPF is deemed in order of affordability (23%), broad-spectrum protection (21%), followed by if it was endorsed by a medical expert (17%)
• More people in the UK want their sun protection to provide hydration (40%) over anti-ageing benefits (32%)
• Only 18% of the UK apply SPF to their hands daily/most days
• People in the UK apply SPF to their neck (26%) more than they are to their hands (18%)

Kimberley Medd, Head of Clinic, Face the Future, says, 

“SPF is the one non-negotiable skincare step that everyone should be incorporating into their regime regardless of age, skin type or skin colour. No one is completely safe or protected against UVA/B damage without daily SPF use.

The sun emits harmful rays year-round, even on cloudy days. The UK’s climate, which is often cloudy, and damp might suggest less sun exposure, and therefore the attitude of wearing sunscreen frequently is overlooked, leading to cumulative UV damage over time.

There are two types of sun rays that can damage your skin in different ways. UVB rays are responsible for sunburn while UVA rays can lead to premature ageing and the development of skin cancer.

Not everyone realises that while we’re at low risk of sunburn in the UK most of the year, UVA rays are present year-round and are the main UV aggressor that we should be protecting our skin against daily, to help reduce accelerated fine lines and wrinkles (collagen depletion), protect against pigmentation/ sunspots, discoloration and heightened skin sensitivity.

The benefits of wearing SPF all year round is to prevent premature skin ageing (fine lines and wrinkles accelerated), protect against sunburn, protect against hyperpigmentation and skin sensitivity, reduce the risk of skin cancer and avoid redness and inflammation caused by UV rays."