Q. Can I give up wearing an SPF on my face, neck&dec, now it’s officially autumn? And should I have a mole check?

A. Respectively, no and yes. If you want to avoid skin damage, dermatologists agree that, in this country, we should all continue wearing an SPF daily until the end of October. And yes, you should have a mole check. We all should.

Consultant dermatologist Dr. Adam Friedmann of Stratum Clinics (stratumclinics.com/0800-048 9230, more about this new organisation below) says sun protection is not just about helping to protect your skin against basal cell and squamous cell carninomas, the non-malignant but still dangerous forms of skin cancer, but about skin ageing.  Although the sun is weaker now than in high summer and there is less UVB to burn you, there is still some UVA, the wavelength linked to ageing. (The quick memory hook is UVA for ageing, UVB for burning.)

For work days when you just pop out at lunchtime and not much more, Dr. Friedmann says a moisturiser with SPF gives enough protection. (Obviously if you are going off somewhere hot, you must – MUST – apply a dedicated sunscreen thickly every two hours. )

We love the new NEOM Organics Ultimate Calm SPF30 Moisturiser, which is 100 per cent natural. It offers a physical barrier against UV in the form of zinc oxide. In the past, this type of screen might cause the product to leave a white Mr Pastry veil on your skin but this has changed with more sophisticated formulations and modern technology. This NEOM product (which Sarah wears every day) leaves a very slight trace when first applied but it disappears completely in a few seconds when you smooth it in.

The product contains natural hyaluronic acid (an indispensable ingredient for older or dry skin) and pomegranate seed oil among other natural skin nourishers.

We are also long term fans of the anti-ageing, sensitive skin range from Ultrasun.  While the products are not all-natural, Ultrasun excludes a lot of potential irritants, including perfume, mineral oils, PEG/PPG emulsifiers, silicones, preservatives, and octocrylene and ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate. Ultrasun Face SPF30/£22 for 50ml, gives you broad-spectrum protection, is lightweight and very quickly absorbed. It is extremely moisturising so you really wouldn't need a moisturiser as well.

From November through to the end of February, you can afford to leave off an SPF, however, as the UV from winter sun is not strong enough to cause much damage, says Dr Friedmann.

Now Stratum Clinics: this is an interesting venture set up by a group of consultant dermatologists working in the NHS and privately. The idea is that, for a reasonable fee, they offer a consultant review and treatment for skin problems of all kinds from top experts. Currently there are seven clinics in Oxford, Canterbury, Cheltenham and across London. More are planned nationwide.

Stratum Clinics are valuable to know about because very few GPs have any specialised knowledge in dermatology. So it would be well worth considering booking in for a mole check or any other skin problems. 

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