Throughout our lives we are exposed to sunlight and ultra-violet light which is responsible for 90% of the visible changes we see in our skin as we get older. In fact, fine lines, wrinkles and pigmentation are all a cumulative effect of photo ageing rather than just our age. So how you can prevent signs of photo-ageing and even stop it from developing in the first place?
Preventing photo ageing
Most importantly, sunscreen is the most fundamental step in preventing photo ageing and should be applied every morning to the face and neck. When shopping for sun protection, look for the term ‘broad-spectrum’ as this means that it protects the skin from both UVA and UVB rays. But how do UVA and UVB rays differ?
UVA is present all year round and can penetrate through cloud and glass which is why sunscreen is important even in winter. UVA has a long wavelength so penetrates deep into the dermis making it responsible for structural skin damage which can lead to premature ageing.
UVB has a shorter wavelength and is responsible for top-level skin damage such as sunburn.
The SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of a sunscreen is also important as it denotes how long the sun’s radiation will take to redden and burn your skin while wearing sunscreen. The higher the sunscreen, the longer you are protected if the recommended amount is applied.
Many people associate sunscreen with thick, greasy lotions that feel sticky and heavy on the skin. But the beauty industry has taken note and new formulas are so lightweight that they’re just as pleasurable to apply as a moisturiser or serum. It’s also important to remember that all skin tones can be affected by UV damage, discolouration and hyperpigmentation so sunscreen should always be applied to the face all year around.
SkinCeuticals Brightening UV Defence, for example, has SPF 30 and protects the face from both UVA and UVB rays. Its lightweight, fluid texture promotes radiance and an even skin tone with a HyperBright Complex while protecting against UV-induced brown spots and pigmentation developing. Alternatively, SkinCeuticals Ultra Facial Defence SPF50 is an ultra-light lotion that provides very high protection and helps to prevent premature ageing.
Provide your skin with enhanced protection
Applying sunscreen alongside an antioxidant serum can also help to defend your skin from photo ageing. SkinCeuticals have a variety of patented antioxidant Vitamin-C serums depending on your skin type.
C E Ferulic delivers advanced environmental protection to the skin with 15% pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), 1% vitamin E (alpha tocopherol), and 0.5% ferulic acid. This potent combination helps to prevent and improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and loss of firmness. C E ferulic is suitable for drier, mature skin types.
Phloretin serum works in a similar way but is better suited to pigment prone and combination skin types due to it’s a lighter texture. It’s formulated with a patented combination of 2% Phloretin, 10% pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic Acid), and 0.5% Ferulic Acid to help improve the appearance of discolouration, tone and texture when paired with a broad-spectrum sunscreen. If you have a very sensitive skin type, SkinCeuticals Serum 10 also helps to reduce premature signs of ageing while reinforcing the skin’s protection against free radical damage with 10% L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and ferulic acid.
Protect your skin from photo ageing with SkinCeuticals Double Defence: A Vitamin-C antioxidant serum and a broad spectrum SPF.
Correct signs of photo ageing with targeted treatments
If you already have visible signs of photo ageing such as discolouration you can help to correct it with targeted skincare. SkinCeuticals Discolouration Defence is a multi-phase high-potency serum that targets visible skin discolouration and stubborn brown spots with a formula enriched with tranexamic acid and niacinamide which leaves the complexion looking brighter and more even in tone.
If your skin is quite sensitive, Phloretin CF also helps to improve the appearance of hyperpigmentation while boosting luminosity. It’s intended to be applied after your antioxidant serum and before sunscreen.
