If you could only do one thing for your skin, dermatologists would almost all say the same: protect it from the sun. Ultraviolet (UV) light is the biggest external contributor to visible skin ageing, and it also affects skin health more broadly. The good news is that the habit is simple.
What the labels mean
- SPF measures protection against UVB, the rays that cause sunburn. SPF 30 or higher is a common everyday recommendation.
- Broad spectrum means the product also protects against UVA, the rays linked to skin ageing.
- Mineral and chemical filters are two ways of filtering UV. Both work when applied properly, so choose the texture you will actually wear. Sensitive skin often prefers mineral formulas.
How to apply it
- Use enough. A common guideline for the face and neck is about two finger-lengths of product. Most people use far less than the amount that was tested.
- Apply it last in your morning skincare, before make-up.
- Do not forget the ears, the sides of the neck, the lips and the eyelids area (choose an eye-safe formula).
- Reapply every two hours when you are outdoors, and after swimming or sweating.
Make it automatic
- Keep it next to your moisturiser so it is part of the same step. Our morning routine shows where it fits.
- Keep a small tube in your bag or car for reapplication.
- Wear it on cloudy days and in winter. In the mountains, snow reflects UV, so protection matters even more.
Beyond sunscreen
Sunscreen works best alongside shade, a hat and sunglasses, and by avoiding the strongest midday sun. None of these replaces the others.
Before your face fitness session
If you exercise or massage in the morning, do it on clean skin before you apply sunscreen, so tools glide on oil and not over SPF. Then protect your skin for the day.
Read more about what changes with time in How Skin and Face Change With Age.
The takeaway: choose a broad-spectrum SPF you like, use enough, and wear it every day. It is the most reliable way to look after your skin for the long term.
This article is for general information and does not replace medical advice. See a doctor or dermatologist about any new or changing mole or skin lesion.
