His Majesty SPF – The first thing I’d pack for a deserted island!

Imagine the following scenario: you wake up on a deserted island. No people, no electricity, no internet. All you have is what you brought with you – and the sun. Lots of sun. In such a scenario, many would choose a knife, a lighter, or some kind of food. But me? Even in that situation, the first thing I’d think of is SPF.

Some might say that sounds superficial? I honestly don’t think it is, because if I already have to figure out how to survive, I might as well protect my skin while I’m at it!

Why SPF? SPF (Sun Protection Factor) isn’t just a “summer accessory” – it’s a fundamental part of daily skincare. Protection from UV radiation doesn’t just shield us from redness and uncomfortable sunburns – it also prevents premature aging, hyperpigmentation, and ultimately even serious illnesses like skin cancer. UV rays are always at work – even when it’s cloudy, when you’re in the city, or when you’re sitting by a window. That’s why I believe SPF isn’t a luxury, but a necessity.

Jokes aside, if you ever really found yourself in a place with no shade, no air conditioning, no makeup that can “protect” you — and let’s be honest, we all face similar situations pretty often — that’s when I’m truly reminded of the real value of SPF. It’s like an invisible shield that keeps your skin healthy, youthful, and in better condition overall. That’s exactly why SPF is my number one packing essential, whether I’m traveling for work, heading to a city, the mountains, or the beach. So, not just for a deserted island ? — but every single morning before I step outside.

That said, I’d also like to address some of the most common misconceptions about SPF

1. “I don’t need SPF if I’m not going out in the sun.”
UV rays are always present — they come through clouds and even through windows. If there’s light, there’s radiation. I’ll just say this: my right hand, which is more exposed to sunlight while I drive, is completely covered in tiny sun spots.

2. “I use makeup with SPF, that’s enough.”
Some types of makeup do contain SPF, but we don’t apply them in a thick enough layer for proper protection. We’ve also seen cases where certain products are labelled with SPF, but in reality, they don’t provide it. That’s why, ever since I got my “magic mirror” -UVMagic mirror, I know exactly which brands I can trust. It shows me not only which products actually contain SPF but also whether I applied it correctly. I’m someone who almost always forgets to apply SPF to my ears ?‍♀️.

3. “If I apply SPF in the morning, I’m protected all day.”
SPF should ideally be reapplied every 2–3 hours, especially if you’re outdoors, sweating, or swimming. To be honest, under regular conditions, I apply it in the morning before makeup and don’t really have the time to go home and redo the whole process. But when you’re at the beach, it’s much easier—since we don’t wear makeup, reapplying SPF throughout the day is more manageable.

A very common question is: How do you properly use SPF? Let’s be honest — it’s not the same if you work a job that keeps you outdoors versus sitting in an office all day. Naturally, someone who works as a tour guide or spends their days hiking or mountain climbing will always carry SPF with them. But for those of us who spend most of our time indoors, we’re not going to obsessively reapply SPF throughout the day.

So, a typical SPF routine might look like this:

• In the morning: Apply SPF as the final step in your skincare routine, before makeup

• Quantity: About 1/3 of a teaspoon for the face and neck combined.

• Reapply SPF during the day if you're spending time outdoors — especially in the summer or after wiping your face, being at the beach, or swimming.

Our favourite SPF product is the SOS Protection Brightening Sun Serum SPF50, which we have available. We also offer the UVMagic mirror, which helps you when using other sunscreen products — to verify whether those products truly provide the stated protection and whether you’ve applied the protection correctly.

In the end, SPF isn’t just a product — it’s a daily habit that means taking care of yourself. Whether you’re on a deserted island or in the city hustle, your skin, as your largest organ, has one important question for you: “Did you protect yourself today?”
If the answer is “yes,” you’ve already won.

Until the next BLOGlow,

Best regards

Jadranka Franceskovic