Sunscreen: The #1 Anti-Aging Skincare Ingredient

photo credits: NYTimes

The NYTimes recently published an article titled "Why Sunscreen Is the Only Anti-Aging Product You Need." UV rays are the #1 cause of aging skin including wrinkles, skin thinning, and sunspots, and it is important to find a sunscreen you love and use it every day!

The first thing to know about sunscreen is that you must wear it daily even if you are indoors for most of the day. There are two kinds of UV rays: UVA & UVB. A good way to remember the difference is that UV A is for Aging, and UV B for Burning. Most people are familiar with UVB rays. They cause the intense sunburns at the beach, and they do not affect you if it is cloudy or if you are indoors. However, UVA rays easily penetrate clouds and windows, so you have to be careful even if you are just sitting by a window or driving in your car on a cloudy day. While the UVA rays may not cause major sunburns, but over time, they will gradually age your skin, creating wrinkles and sun spots.

The second most important thing to know about sunscreen is the difference between mineral and chemical sunscreens. We generally recommend mineral sunscreens that have zinc oxide because zinc oxide gives you the broadest protection from UV rays. Some sunscreen ingredients only protect you from UVB rays, but zinc oxide protect you from both UVA and UVB rays.

If you are looking for a sunscreen that you’ll love to use everyday, we recommend the EltaMD UV Clear and UV Daily. All EltaMD sunscreens use zinc oxide, and the UV Clear and UV Daily sunscreens are extremely lightweight. Come by our office to try them out!