Naturally, keeping your skin safe from the ravages of UV damage is priority number one when talking about face sunscreen, but does it actually stop your skin from ageing? Well, research into the subject has shown that wearing it every day does offer anti-ageing benefits, and while they won’t stop wrinkles entirely, they can drastically slow down the process.
So, how does it work? How does the application of sunscreen on a daily basis stop all those superficial wrinkles and fine lines from forming? Keep reading to find out.
How Face Sunscreen Limits Skin Ageing
When face sunscreen is applied to the skin’s upper layers, it creates a layer that either uses chemicals to convert UV rays into heat or physically blocks them. Not only does it help in preventing the skin from being burnt, but it also stops collagen from breaking down – a process that lowers its plumpness and youth. The result is wrinkles.
If you don’t apply sunscreen before going out into the sun, it naturally tries to safeguard itself by creating a splotchy pigment. While this is aimed at protecting the skin, it’s not a great sign. So, how can you tell if your skin has been damaged in this way? Well, you’ll experience:
- Wrinkling of the skin
- Pigmentation that looks irregular
- A lack of elasticity in the skin
- Sagginess i.e. a drop in skin volume
- Feelings of dryness
No sunscreen on the market will give you total protection – by that, we mean 100% UV protection, but an SPF 50 will stop 99% of rays. This ‘photoaging’ can’t be completely halted, but it can be drastically reduced – greatly slowly the ageing process.
The Vast Majority of Ageing Is Caused By The Sun
The science shows that the majority of skin ageing is caused by being exposed to UV rays, so everything you do to stop it will help greatly. The other reasons why it happens relate to how you live your life (diet, sleep, etc.) and the genes your parents gave you.
So, while there are countless products you can buy to make yourself look younger, you’re wasting your money if you don’t also focus on sun protection. No peptide products or retinol creams are going to offer you the same kind of benefits as stopping the sun.
Face Sunscreen is Your Answer to Younger-Looking Skin
Once your skin has become wrinkled and covered in fine lines, it’s not something you can reverse. However, while you’ve still got youth on your side, and the damage is not yet done, you have it in your power to ensure you stay looking younger for longer.
The price you need to pay is very minor when you think about it. Just a daily application of a decent mineral sunscreen is all that stands between you and your extended youth. Every time someone comments on how young your skin looks, you’ll know it was all worthwhile.
Not forgetting, of course, that by protecting your skin with sunscreen, you’re also stopping serious conditions like cancer, as well as the appearance of moles, dark spots and more. Certainly, food for though.
