Best Anti-ageing Product – Sunscreen

If you’re from my era you’ll remember the billboard that showed a dog on the beach – and that dog was using its teeth to pull down the pants of a toddler to show a white bottom, emphasising the toddler’s tan. The billboard was advertising a sunscreen/tanning product but it was not promoting a sun-safe message. Far from it.

This was a time well before the “no hat, no play” rule that my children had at school, thank goodness this is now firmly in place in schools, and the message is being taught from an early age.

Knowing now what I do about skincare ingredients I wouldn’t put baby oil anywhere near my skin. I certainly wouldn’t try to promote tanning as the sun only promotes ageing of the skin. Though coconut oil has certainly come into its own with new evidence of its beneficial properties to repair the and hydrate the skin, use it daily on your skin and your children’s and a great hair treatment oil and totally natural.

Fortunately, my skin has not weathered too badly over the years I started protecting my face from the sun in my late teens, though not as much as I do these days.

Sunscreens have come a long way since my childhood, they are more effective and there are many options available to suit your skin and your lifestyle and believe me prevention is better than cure. You cannot reverse the damage done to your skin, though there are many treatments and certain products that can help delay sun damage related ageing.

1. Day-to-day sun exposure differs for each person. Think about your regular days and how much you are out in the sun. If you are only outside for short times, then a combination of sunscreen in your makeup and a light moisturising sunscreen will keep you protected.

2. If you spend time outdoors, for work or playing sport/exercising, then you’ll need to look for a hard-working sunscreen that goes the distance and offers maximum protection.

3. For those who live at the beach or in their pool each summer, or as some of my friends do, on their boats, then invest in a supply of sunscreen that is easy to apply (and re-apply), offers maximum protection and is water resistant.

4. Sunscreens fall into two categories – physical or chemical sunscreens. The physical sunscreens (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) work by reflecting UV rays off the skin. The chemical sunscreens work by absorbing and “mopping up” UV rays. Sunscreens may also use a combination of both types in one product. If using a chemical sunscreen, it should go on the skin first (before moisturisers and makeup). If using a physical, you can moisturise then apply and then apply your makeup. But bear in mind your makeup won’t sit a nicely as usual and these sunscreens tend to leave a whitish film on the skin.

5. What you choose will come down to your skin and your personal preference as to what you put on your skin in terms of chemicals/products. Some skins will react to prolonged use of zinc oxide, so you may choose to use this type of sunscreen just on your body. The only exception to this you may find is Invisible Zinc ESP Moisturiser.  There are also those of you who will react to the chemical sunscreens and if concerned about the effects of certain chemicals – not just on their skin but their overall health, I suggest you do your research to make up your mind which way you go.

6. Just do it. Find something that works for you and your lifestyle and always wear a sunscreen.

Neutrogena 50+Sunsense 50+

This is Lightweight and oil free, perfect under your makeup and inexpensive.

Nivea 50+

For high exposure face and body
Tends to be on the sticky side but if your are going to the beach or out all day it’s better to have something that will stay on.

Invisible Zinc Foundation Stick

For high exposure when you want a touch of makeup and you can reapply through the day.

Regular clear zincs and titanium oxides tend to leave a white film on your face.

Your Vitamin C will also limit the damage from UV rays so apply under your moisturiser in the morning, BUT it is not a sunscreen. Though can certainly help fight free radicals and improve the colour and texture of the skin.

It’s also a good time to go through your sunscreen supply at home. Throwing out any bottles or tubes that have not been stored in a cool place or out of date as they may no longer be effective.

The higher a sunscreen’s sun protection factor, or SPF, the more UVB radiation it filters. Sunscreens labelled broad-spectrum are also protective against UVA radiation. Properly applied, SPF30 sunscreens filter out 96.7% of UVB radiation, while SPF50 filters out 98%. Despite an increase in protection level, SPF50+ sunscreen must continue to be reapplied every two hours to maintain the optimum level of protection, and used in conjunction with other sun protection (clothing, hats, shade, and sunglasses ).

Yes. Foundation and moisturiser that contains sunscreen is fine if you are outside for a short time, for example, a quick trip to the shops or hanging the washing. But if you know you are going to be in the sun for longer, apply sunscreen in addition to your make-up, and reapply the sunscreen every two hours. Be aware that most cosmetics offer less protection than the SPF30 recommended.

Fake tanning lotion does not improve your skin’s ability to protect itself from the sun. So you will still need to protect yourself with a combination of the five sun protection measures when ultraviolet (UV) radiation is at damaging levels. Some fake tans have sunscreen in them. As with other sunscreens, these provide protection for about two hours after application. Protection does not last for the length of the tan.

In Australia, we can be exposed to high levels of UV radiation during all sorts of daily activities, such as working outdoors, gardening, running, walking the dog or just having a picnic. This sun exposure adds up over time and increases our risk of skin cancer. That’s why it’s important to know the sun protection times for each day and to use the five steps of sun protection, including sunscreen, when the UV levels are 3 or higher. This free app will determine the UV levels in your area each day and help you work out how much sunscreen you need to apply depending on what you’re wearing.

Sensible sun protection does not put people at risk of vitamin D deficiency. From September to April, when the UV levels are 3 or higher, most people get enough vitamin D through normal day-to-day activities, even while using sunscreen. During summer, a few minutes of sun exposure mid-morning or mid-afternoon to the face, arms, hands or equivalent areas will help with vitamin D levels. Be extra cautious in the middle of the day when UV levels are most intense. People with naturally very dark skin may need more sun exposure.

So please tell me … what’s your favourite sunscreen/s? Do you have any tips to share?