Want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles? We hate to break it to you, but that expensive night cream you’re using – it won’t do much unless you’re using this #1 anti-ageing product every single day. Of course, we’re talking about sunscreen! It’s often overlooked from people’s daily skincare routine unless they’re having a beach day, but this is a huge mistake. Keep reading to find out why it deserves a place in your daily regime and our favourites to choose from.
Why should you wear sunscreen?
First things first, let’s recap on the importance of wearing sunscreen everyday. The number one reason to wear a broad spectrum SPF is of course to protect skin from dangerous side effects of the sun like skin cancer. However, there are also a range of other reasons which include:
Prevent sunburn
Prevent hyperpigmentation
Prevent fine lines and wrinkles
Prevent the look of ageing
Help you maintain an even skin tone
How does sunscreen fight the signs of ageing?
First time you’re hearing of the link between wearing sunscreen and its anti-ageing side effects? Spending time in the sun has a serious ageing effect on your skin. The reason being is thanks to those pesky ultraviolet rays. When they hit they skin, they cause DNA changes in the deepest level of the skin, sometimes taking years to come to the surface in the form of wrinkles (and potentially other more dangerous consequences). UVA light affects the skin’s collagen and elastin, whilst UVB light damages DNA in the epidermis and is responsible for causing pre-cancerous cells. Wearing a daily sunscreen can help to stop these UV rays from causing damage to the skin and making you look older before your time.
When to wear sunscreen?
Technically, it’s advised to wear sunscreen when the UV index is over 3. However, this assumes that you’re regularly checking the UV index (it varies throughout the day), and that it’s a 100% accurate reading every time. We think it’s much safer to simply wear sunscreen everyday to get you into the routine and make sure you’re protected at all times. And before you skip application because you’re staying home all day – UV rays can actually get through glass! So unless you’re in a pitch black room, make sure you don’t skip applying it.
3 Best Anti-Ageing Sunscreens
Okay, so now you know the importance of wearing sunscreen daily. But that doesn’t change the fact that they don’t have the best reputation for wearing them on your face. We’re sure you’ve experienced white cast, major shine, and even splitting when wearing sunscreen under makeup before. All pesky side effects which might discourage you from reaching for the SPF bottle everyday. Here are three excellent Australian sunscreens that we promise will always look good under makeup, and are designed to complement the rest of your skincare regime. Side note- it’s worth buying Australian sunscreens, no matter where you live. They have some of the strictest testing requirements in the world!
Clean Screen SPF 30
First up, we present Clean Screen from Ultra Violette. It’s an SPF 30 formula (hot tip – always opt for an SPF of 30 or higher) and a mineral formulation. It uses titanium dioxide as its UV filter to keep your skin protected. Reasons to love it? It’s got an easy-to-wear gel texture, zero fragrance, and it’s particularly great on acne-prone or sensitive skin. We love that this formula isn’t just a sunscreen either. It’s enriched with Pentavitin for a refreshing hit of hydration for your face, so you’re moisturising and protecting it at the same time.
Features of Clean Screen:
SPF30
Fragrance free
Alcohol free
Perfect for acne-prone or sensitive skin
Gel texture
Lean Screen SPF 50
Next up, we bring you another mineral sunscreen formula, but this time with an SPF50+. Lean Screen uses zinc oxide as its active UV filter and is particularly great on reactive skin types. It’s also fragrance free (note, fragrances in skincare are important to avoid if you have sensitive skin) and leaves a matte finish in her wake – perfect for those with oilier skin types too. As an added bonus, Lean Screen is packed full of kakadu plum which has nothing to do with sun protection but everything to do with skincare. This wonderful ingredient has 50 times more vitamin C than an orange, so side effects include skin brightening which we could all use a good dose of from time to time.
Features of Lean Screen:
SPF 50+
Mineral sunscreen
Zinc oxide active UV filter
Fragrance-free
Ideal for sensitive skin
Matte finish
Supreme Screen SPF 50
Last but not least, we suggest Supreme Screen SPF50+. It’s a chemical formula and seriously so much more than just a sunscreen. It works as a primer, moisturiser and sun protection all-in-one, so it’s ideal if you’re the kind of person that doesn’t want to add too many steps into your daily skincare routine. We love this for most skin types, but those with a drier skin will particularly love its ultra hydrating formula and satin-like finish.
Features of Supreme Screen:
SPF50+
Chemical sunscreen formula
Ideal for most skin types
Extra hydrating
Satin-finish
Feeling inspired to start wearing sunscreen everyday? Trust us, you are doing your skin such a service by adding this easy-to-wear product to your face daily. Pesky wrinkles and fine lines be gone (before they even form!).
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This post is in partnership with Ultra Violette
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