Decades of dermatological research point to the same conclusion: UV exposure is the leading cause of premature skin ageing — lines, dark spots, loss of firmness, uneven tone. Broad-spectrum sunscreen, worn daily, addresses all of it before it starts. Not a serum, not a treatment, not a fourteen-jar skincare rotation. Sunscreen.
Just Wear It, Every Day
The key word is broad-spectrum, meaning protection against both UVA rays (the ones that age skin) and UVB rays (the ones that burn). SPF 30 blocks roughly 97% of UVB rays; SPF 50 gets you to about 98%. That's not a dramatic leap, but dermatologists generally recommend SPF 30 as a daily minimum, SPF 50 if you're spending real time outdoors. What matters far more than chasing a higher number is putting it on at all — and reapplying every two hours when you're in the sun.
Modern formulas have absolutely no excuse to feel heavy or white-cast. Chemical filters like avobenzone and octinoxate absorb UV and tend to sit invisibly on skin; mineral filters like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide sit on top and have come a long way from the lifeguard-nose era. Tinted mineral SPFs are genuinely flattering on a range of skin tones now. Find a texture you like and you'll actually use it.
SPF in your foundation is not enough. The amount you'd need to apply to reach the stated protection level is more than anyone wears. A dedicated sunscreen — moisturiser with SPF counts — applied before makeup, is the move.
If there's one habit that earns a permanent spot in your routine, this is it.
If there's one habit that earns a permanent spot in your everyday base routine, this is it.