Those of us in the skincare industry regularly encourage our friends and customers to use sunscreen and protect their skin from the sun. That’s because we know that of all the factors out there, UV rays are the most damaging, and are enemy number-one when it comes to making skin look older than it is.
Now, a new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine (June 2013) shows that we’ve been on the right track. Researchers from Australia followed over 900 men and women under the age of 55 for 4.5 years, tracking their use of sunscreen and its impact on skin quality. The results showed that regular, daily use of sunscreen significantly slowed the process of skin aging among both men and women.
“This has been one of those beauty tips you often hear quoted,” said co-author Adele Green, “but for the first time we can back it with science. Protecting yourself from skin cancer by using sunscreen regularly has the added bonus of keeping you looking younger.”
The authors also noted, however that it’s not just about applying sunscreen, but about upping your protection in the right ways. Here are our five tips for boosting your UV protection power.
7 Tips for Boosting Sun Protection Power
Taking suggestions from the Australian study and new advice from dermatologists, the following five tips will help protect you from free radicals that encourage the formation of wrinkles, bags, and discoloration.
- Use two coats: Most people don’t use enough sunscreen, and thus don’t get the full benefit of the protection. “Most people use only a third to half as much sunscreen as they should be using, and they apply it unevenly,” said Steven Q. Wang, M.D., director of dermatologist surgery and dermatology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. “If you apply two coats, theoretically you’re going to put on more and deliver it more evenly.” The researchers from the Australian study agree, noting that users must apply a thick coating in a thorough way, covering all exposed skin.
- Reapply: You know you should, but how often do you take your sunscreen with you and reapply it? Yet any time you are exposed to water, or perspire even a little, you’re losing the power of your SPF. Reapply every two hours, and more often if you’re near the beach or exercising.
- Pair your sunscreen with antioxidants: Some studies have suggested that some chemical sunscreens may produce their own free radicals when exposed to sunlight-which can create extra damage that you don’t need. A recent study even suggested that physical sunscreens may also be vulnerable to UV-induced free radical activation. Dermatologists assure us that whatever free radicals are generated are not as damaging as those from UV rays, so you’re better off with sunscreen either way. But if you want to protect yourself from all free radicals, start applying antioxidants to your face to up your protection. A vitamin C serum, resveratrol cream, green tea, and other ingredients will coat your skin in protective antioxidants. You can also look for sunscreens that have antioxidants built in, though the Environmental Working Group suggests you avoid those with vitamin A, because one study found that retinyl palmitate, a form of vitamin A, may speed the development of skin tumors when applied in the presence of sunlight. Find the EWG’s safe sunscreen list here.
- Employ protective essential oils: Many natural essential oils provide their own protection from the sun. Adding these with your sunscreen can boost your protective power. Some good ones include myrrh, lavender, helichrysum, roman chamomile, and more.
- Toss the old stuff. If your sunscreen is expired, toss it. Furthermore, if your bottle is still full a year or more later, you’re probably not using enough anyway. But after expiration, the SPF listed on the bottle may no longer apply. Ingredients age and lose their effectiveness.
- It’s not waterproof. No sunscreen is waterproof. In fact, the FDA has banned terms like “waterproof” on sunscreen labels because such a claim is misleading. Formulas may be “water-resistant,” but none is waterproof, which is why reapplying is so important.
- Make it 15 or more. SPFs under 15 are not protective against damaging, deep-penetrating UVA rays. They may stop your skin from burning, which is caused by UVB rays, but meanwhile, UVA rays will be going deep into your skin, where they are more likely to cause cancerous changes. New FDA requirements now state that any sunscreen formula with an SPF of less than 15 can claim only that it prevents against sunburn-not skin cancer or signs of aging. Make sure your formula is at least 15-30 is better.
Do you have other tips for boosting your sun protection power? Please share.
Picture courtesy David Castillo Dominici, via freedigitalphotos.net.
Sources
Alan Mozes, “Daily Sunscreen Helps Middle-Aged Skin Stay Young: Study,” HealthDay, June 3, 2013, http://www.webmd.com/beauty/sun/20130603/daily-sunscreen-helps-middle-aged-skin-stay-young-study.
Women’s Health Magazine, June 2013.
