We all love enjoying time in the sun, but it can come at the cost of keeping our beautiful skin looking youthful. As we all know, prevention is better than the cure which is why anti-ageing begins with SPF.
Before diving into how sunscreen works - It's important to understand the different types of ultraviolet light and the role they play in contributing to skin damage.
Ultraviolet radiation produced by the sun causes an acceleration in the aging process of our skin, leaving us with fine lines, hyperpigmentation, sagging and wrinkles. There are 2 types:
Ultraviolet A (UVA) is associated with skin aging. The radiation enters our skin's deeper layers and over time breaks down our collagen fibers, which work to keep skin plump and firm. When these fibers break down it results in a loss of elasticity in the skin creating lines, wrinkles and sagging. UVA damage is permanent and irreversible, and the rays can also permeate through windows and clouds so it's important to use sunscreen all year round, indoors or outdoors!
Ultraviolet B (UVB) is associated with skin burning. The radiation reaches the outer layers of our skin and overexposure can cause redness and sunburn. UVB rays can be filtered and do not permeate through windows.
Sunscreens work to protect you against both UVA and UVB damage by using chemical filters that absorb the radiation before they reach your skin. The SPF Indication on sunscreen advises how much protection is provided from UVB rays, whilst Broad Spectrum indicates protection from UVA rays as well. Make sure you choose a sunscreen that offers both to prevent your skin from aging and burning.
As well as sun protection to help prevent aging, a good sunscreen will also contain nourishing ingredients such as antioxidants to help restore and hydrate your skin.
We recommend our SPF50 Hydrating Face Sunscreen which not only provides broad-spectrum for UVA and UVB protection, but is enriched with ingredients such as Vitamin E and Glycerin for the ultimate anti-ageing prevention.
It’s never too late to start using sunscreen in your anti-ageing skincare routine.
