Why Sunscreen is the #1 Anti-Ageing Tool

We’ve all had it drilled into us since childhood that we need to be careful of the sun. In reality, the sun is a wonderful energiser and an incredible healer. It stimulates the immune system, eliminates germs, kills mould and acts as a steriliser. However, we do need to be careful of the sun, as increased levels of exposure results in much higher incidence of skin cancer, and vastly accelerated ageing.  It’s vitally important that we protect our skin on a daily basis from the sun. Now I’m no saint in this regard, but over the last year I have been including sunscreen as a non-negotiable in my morning routine after finding out the very same information I’m about to share with you!

So let’s take it back a few steps. Why does our skin age?

One of the most commonly cited theories of ageing is the free radical theory. This research shows us that the main cause of ageing skin is when our cells get damaged from free radicals - this damage comes from a variety of sources, like from the sun, pollution, drugs, pesticides, as well as being produced internally from bodily functions like breathing and digestion. But enough of the science – the main point is that this damage causes our bodies to age. Whilst we obviously cannot get rid of damage from free radicals entirely, we can take actions to reduce the exposure we face on a daily basis. The damage from free radicals is a major cause of ageing, but it’s important to remember that it is not the only one. Ageing is also accelerated through inflammation, imbalanced hormones, and lifestyle factors such as diet and stress.

To slow ageing, it’s important to both minimise your exposure to free radicals, and also to do what you can to boost your immune system to help speed up your DNA repair and to reduce inflammation that occurs within your body. There’s a whole bunch of lifestyle habits and routines we can incorporate to help slow these processes, but when it comes to products, the most important thing that will help slow ageing is sunscreen. 

Sunscreen is the #1 anti-ageing and anti-wrinkle product that money can buy. We now know that the sun causes vast acceleration of the ageing processes in our skin, so we should be wearing sunscreen every single day, even when it’s cloudy or cold. This is because it protects your skin from the harmful UV radiation (both UVA and UVB) emitted by the sun. UV radiation is responsible for the random pigmentation, wrinkles, sagging and other visible signs of ageing we get. UVA is especially bad when it comes to ageing because it passes through clouds and window glass. So whatever you do, don’t skip the sunscreen on a grey day.

Choosing a sunscreen that is effective at blocking out the harmful rays is vital, so take some time to do your research before choosing one for you. Always opt for one that is Broadspectrum, meaning it protects you from both UVA and UVB rays. Also be sure to select one that is SPF 30 or higher, as well as one that is water resistant. There are several popular active ingredients in sunscreen that you should check is included – the best is zinc oxide, but if you don’t like how this feels on your skin, there are a bunch of other alternatives. Be sure to completely cover your face as well as your neck. The skin on our necks tend to age quickly – it becomes loose and pigments comparatively easily. If you are a fan of perfume, it is especially vital to make sure you use sunscreen on your neck as the artificial fragrance causes photosensitivity and increases pigmentation. A better alternative is to switch to 100% natural essential oils as a perfume replacement – it’s much healthier for your body and the planet will thank you too!

The final thing to consider is the environment, and the effect that sunscreen has upon it. This is an issue close to my heart, and as such, I have written an article all about it which you can check out here. Remember, whilst many ageing factors are out of our hands, sun damage is a factor that is completely within our control and accounts for a significant amount of damage being done to our skin. In fact, about 80% of skin damage that appears later on in life results from UV damage. And if you’re one of the people who are sitting there thinking ‘I already have wrinkles and spots from sun exposure’, the good news is that it’s never too late to start wearing sunscreen. There are many studies that show people with sun damaged skin can see a visible reduction in their signs of ageing after switching over to daily sunscreen use.

Using sunscreen on a daily basis is the easiest and cheapest way to reduce your exposure to sun damage and help prevent signs of ageing. We only get one body, so it’s incredibly important to look after the one we are in!