It’s time to stop treating sunscreen like a seasonal fling! Something you dust off in Summer and forget the moment the clouds roll in. In fact, consider this your official glow-up intervention because SPF isn’t just a beach-day accessory. It’s the wardrobe equivalent of a LBD – a staple your skin wants you to wear every single day.
This is particularly true Down Under, with Australia’s sun not known to take a Winter break. Instead, UV rays remain sneakily sunning — they’re still there on cloudy days, still streaming through office windows, still reaching you on your lunchtime coffee run. And while most of us know this in theory, our behaviour tells a different story. According to new research from CeraVe, only two in five Australians are applying sunscreen most days, despite living under one of the harshest ozone layers in the world. Even more worryingly, skin cancer will affect two in three of us in our lifetime — and young Australians aged 15 to 24 skip sun protection the most, rarely applying SPF during peak UV hours.
Yet SPF isn’t just about playing defence against future damage — it’s one of the most powerful beauty tools we have in the present. Daily protection means fewer fine lines and wrinkles, less pigmentation, and a smoother, more even complexion for longer. It’s basically skincare’s closest thing to a time machine.
So, why do so many of us still skip it? CeraVe’s research uncovered six main excuses: people think it’s greasy, worry it will cause breakouts, don’t realise they need it daily, forget to reapply, dislike the texture, or simply see it as an unnecessary extra step. Sound familiar? The good news is that the new generation of SPFs is specifically designed to address every one of those pain points.
Modern formulas are featherlight, non-comedogenic (read: they won’t clog pores), and blend seamlessly under makeup. Many are multitaskers, doubling as hydrating moisturisers or even primers — meaning they earn their place in your beauty routine rather than feeling like a chore.
Take the growing trend of 2-in-1 SPF moisturisers, which combine hydration and protection into one simple step. These formulas combine moisture-locking hyaluronic acid, soothing niacinamide, and barrier-supporting ceramides from your favourite daily cream with the added protection of broad-spectrum SPF 50. It’s a one-and-done step that means you don’t have to compromise between skin health and simplicity.
And once SPF is folded into your morning ritual, it quickly stops feeling like a hassle. Keep a mini in your handbag for top-ups on the go. Set a phone reminder if you’re a chronic forgetter. And if you’re worried about layering makeup on top, try tapping it on gently with a sponge instead of rubbing it in. Like all skincare habits, it’s about finding what works for you.
The most important shift, though, is mindset. SPF isn’t the final, forgettable afterthought at the end of your routine — it’s the most impactful step. Your future self (and future skin) will thank you for it. And when someone compliments your glow years from now, you’ll know the secret isn’t a miracle serum or expensive facial — it’s the invisible armour you wore every day.
So, as spring approaches and the UV index starts to climb, consider this your reminder: SPF is not a summer fling. It’s a forever kind of love. The skincare soulmate that shows up, rain or shine, and protects you when you’re too busy living your life to think about it. And if you’re still looking for the one, look for a formula that hydrates, protects and feels good on your skin — because when SPF becomes a daily habit, it’s one beauty step you’ll never regret.