It is estimated that ultraviolet radiations emitted from the sun are responsible for up to 80% of visible skin aging. It has been observed that people who wear sunscreen every day experience age slowly as compared to those who ignore sunscreen or use it infrequently.
From the day you were born to till now, your beautiful epidermis has always been there for you like an armour. It has always protected you from external adversities like sun rays, extreme heat, insects, and many more. With time, you might have observed that your skin has become sad and aged as if it is tired of overworking for you. Sad but true, your skin has endured much more than the care it has received. Without a single doubt, skimping on sunscreen has added years to your skin.
While you are using the most expensive and best skin care products, but not wearing a good broad-spectrum sunscreen, you are increasing the chances of faster aging. Well, premature wrinkles are not a problem anymore when you make sunscreen a non-negotiable step of your daily skin care regimen.
We are here to help you to choose the best sunscreen that actually keeps your skin healthy, working, and youthful throughout the years.
3 Imminent Signs Of Ageing To Expect If You Are Ignoring Sunscreens
1. Your skin complexion looks uneven and lacks radiance
Sun damage starts with the epidermis layer and fades your natural skin color.
The uppermost layer of your skin contains melanin pigment which gives a unique skin tone to different individuals. This melanin also plays a significant role in protecting your skin against the adverse effects of UV rays.
When your skin receives unprotected overexposure to sun rays, your body triggers melanin overproduction as a defense mechanism ultimately leading to hyperpigmentation, melasma, and blotchy skin. This uneven skin pigmentation makes you look older than your actual appearance.
2. You look older than actual age due to deep wrinkles and saggy skin
Sun rays penetrate the dermis layer (middle layer) of skin and cause premature skin aging.
Unfortunately, the dangers of sun rays are not confined to the superficial layer of your skin.
Unlike UVB rays, UVA rays have the longest wavelength which makes them penetrate more deeply into skin layers and cause premature skin aging .
Sun rays degrade major skin proteins in the dermis layer (middle layer) - collagen and elastin which are responsible for giving your skin structure, resilience, and elasticity.
3. You start getting age spots at an early age
Age spots or liver spots are characterized by flat, pale brown to dark brown spots. They mostly appear on sun-exposed areas of your skin such as face, back of the hands, upper back, and top of the feet.
Age spots usually appear in 40s or 50s, but young people who spend lots of time in sunlight can also get age spots .
Age spots can occur on any skin type, but people with lighter skin tones are found more prone to them.
5 Tips for choosing right sunscreen
1. Don't choose a sunscreen with a very low SPF, go with SPF 30 or 50
SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is a measure that tells how well your sunscreen filters UVB radiations.
Sunscreens with different levels of SPF values indicates that
- SPF 15 protects against 93% of UVB rays
- SPF 30 protects against 97% of UVB rays
- SPF 50 protects against 98% of UVB rays
There is no sunscreen that can block 100% UV rays. However, sunscreen with a high SPF number offers greater sun protection. Dermatologists recommend using sunscreen with SPF of at least 30 or 50.
2. Just be careful, bad ingredients are also lurking in sunscreen tubes
Buying a sunscreen bottle isn't a straightforward thing. Many available sunscreens in the market contain ingredients that are harmful to your skin and environment as well. While choosing your sunscreen, you should always pay attention to the ingredients list on the bottle.
Oxybenzone and PABA (Para-Aminobenzoic Acid) are chemical ingredients used in sunscreen formulations. Many research studies have found that these ingredients can absorb through the skin to cause some internal health issues.
The great news is it is easy to choose sunscreens that are safe and effective.
Sunscreens that come with physical filters like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide offer safe and strong UV protection by scattering and reflecting UV rays from the skin surface.
3. Sunscreen is not a one size fits all, know your skin type!
Sun rays can wreak havoc on your skin but using sunscreen or any other skin care product without knowing your skin type is even more harmful.
There are different types of sunscreen for your unique skin type - normal, dry, oily, and sensitive.
For oily and acne-prone skin types, sunscreen formulas that come with non-comedogenic, non-greasy, and water/ sweat resistant properties are considered quite good.
For sensitive skin types, fragrance-free mineral sunscreens are an ideal choice.
4. Invest in tinted sunscreens that protect your skin from visible light
Not only UVA and UVB rays from the sun cause premature aging but the blue light emitted by your devices also leads to skin damage. Many research studies show that blue light generates oxidative stress and increases melanin production to cause hyperpigmentation, age spots, and wrinkles. So when you are indoors or using your laptops, tablets, and mobiles, it is a prerequisite to apply sunscreen on your face properly.
Consider using Tinted sunscreen formulas which consist of zinc oxide with iron oxide to stay protected against UVA, UVB, and blue light. According to a new research in The Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology , Iron oxides when combined with zinc oxide provides a great protection from HEV or blue light.
5. Pay attention to PA ratings on sunscreen labels
UVA rays of the sun have been identified as a major cause of premature aging of the skin .
SPF number determines sunscreen ability to protect skin from UVB rays, whereas PA+ rating determines the amount of UVA protection a sunscreen provides.
If your sunscreen includes PA ratings simply means that it can keep your skin safe from premature aging by providing strong UVA protection.
As you grow older, it is natural to experience the changes in your skin. But, embracing the wrinkles, fine lines, and other aging signs at an early age is surely a matter of grave concern. The good news is premature skin aging is largely preventable. Being aware of the fact that maximum skin aging is caused by sun rays, good sun protection should be your daily skin care habit year-round. Wearing a good sunscreen that has all-important sun protection properties is quite capable of shielding your skin from sun rays. Find out here on how to find right sunscreen as per your skin needs.
