Sunscreen as an Anti Aging Skin Care Product

How Sunscreen Keeps You Young

By Mark Stibich, Ph.D., About.com Guide

Updated May 08, 2009

Anti aging skin care products should all have one thing in common: sunscreen. Sun damage is behind almost all of the signs of aging skin such as wrinkles and age spots. To prevent damage to your skin from aging, be sure that sunscreen is your number one anti aging skin care product. Choose a sunscreen with an SPF rating of at least 15 (use a sunscreen with a higher rating if you plan to be in the sun for a longer period of time). Also, be sure that you use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects your skin from damage from UVA and UVB rays. Finally, be sure that your sunscreen is water resistant even if you are not planning on swimming –- your sweat alone undo the protection of non-water resistance sunscreens. All the ointments, moisturizers and creams in the world can’t compare to the anti aging effectiveness of ordinary sunscreen. Here are some other tips to keep looking young:

• Avoid the Sun: Sunscreen is great, but if you can avoid long exposure to the sun, that is even better. Don’t spend a whole day at the beach in the beating sun. Limit your time out in the sun and your skin will age better.
• Wear Protective Clothing: If you have to be in sun, do your best to keep the sun off your body. Wear long sleeved shirts and pants. A hat with a wide brim is great to protect your head and your face, neck and shoulders.
• Wear Sunglasses: Your eyes can be damaged by UV light as well as your skin. Be sure to wear sunglasses that protect against 99% or more of UV rays.
• Avoid Artificial Tanning: Sunlamps and tanning beds are just asking for trouble –- don’t use them. They will damage your skin and speed your skins aging while increasing your risk for skin cancer. Artificial tanning lotions and make-up actually do provide some minimal protection from UV rays. But the effect is minimal and short-lasting. Your skin may look darker, but you have none of the protection of a real tan (and people often don’t bother with sunscreen and tanning make-up together because it just ends up a creamy mess). Finally, avoid anything marketed as a tanning pill. These pills basically turn your skin orange and the long-term safety of high doses of tanning pills is unknown.
• Check Your Skin: Almost of 50% of people who make it to age 65 will have skin cancer in their lifetime. You need to check your skin often for any signs of skin cancer as well as see a dermatologist regularly for a skin check. Learn how to do a skin self-check.