‘Essential’ item GP loves is the ‘best defence against premature ageing’

Making sure we’re looking after our bodies from the inside out is a huge factor in the appearance of our skin. While many products might claim to reduce the appearance of fine lines or banish dark undereye circles, much of how we look can be managed through our lifestyle.

Getting enough sleep, maintaining a healthy diet that provides essential nutrients to support skin turnover and drinking enough water to keep skin hydrated should be a key part of any skincare routine. However, there are some products that we simply can’t replace our diet or lifestyle, and one, in particular, is key to anti-ageing. Dr Saniyya Mahmood, a GP specialising in dermatology, has shared the “most important skin care product to maintain long-term skin health” and prevent the appearance of premature ageing in the face.

The “best defence against premature ageing”, said Dr Saniyya, is SPF 50. “It is essential in preventing signs of ageing such as fine lines, wrinkles, sun spots and pigmentation.” The GP recommended using “at least factor 50 every single day come summer or winter”.

Wrinkles and age spots are inevitable as we grow older, but this can be exaggerated by overexposure to the sun and improper protection from it. Spending extended periods of time in the sun without an adequate SPF leaves our skin at risk from UV rays, which can cause DNA damage and break down collage and elastin fibres. 

These are naturally occurring in our skin, helping it appear smooth and providing elasticity in our face. As we age, the production of these properties in our skin begins to decrease, but damage from UV rays can accelerate this process. 

But it’s never too late to start using SPF, and the sooner you introduce it to your skincare routine, the more chance your skin has at repairing some of the damage done, as well as keeping it protected from harmful UV rays that can cause skin cancer. 

As SPF is something you should be wearing everyday, it’s important you find one that works for your skin. If you have oily skin, Dr Saniyya warned that: “Applying layers of skin care products can make it worse, therefore it’s important to choose the correct SPF.”

There are two main types of sunscreen – mineral and chemical. Dr Saniyya explained that mineral sunscreen “provides a physical barrier protection against UV rays and usually has zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the active ingredient”.

In comparison, a chemical sunscreen “relies on active ingredients such as benzophenone and methoxycinnamate which gets absorbed in the skin to protect you from the sun”. If you have oily skin, this can lead to breakouts or irritation, but mineral SPFs are also prone to leaving a white cast, which can be inconvenient for everyday use. 

For those with oily or sensitive skin, the GP recommends looking out for SPF with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which can provide an anti-inflammatory effect. 

We shouldn’t forget about our lips either, as the skin here is thin and more delicate than other areas of the body. Using lip balms with SPF and making sure to reapply this can also prevent lips appearing thin or wrinkly due to sun exposure.