Daily SPF: The Overlooked Anti-Aging Essential
Aging is a normal part of life, but how we age is influenced by the choices we make for our wellness every day. And when it comes to the visible signs of aging like wrinkles, skin discoloration, fine lines, or sagging, one of the best choices we can make to define how we age is to use a daily SPF. According to dermatologists and scientific studies, up to 90% of visible skin aging is caused by sun exposure. Your skin is exposed to UV rays from the sun every day, no matter the weather forecast or season. So the best “anti-aging” product isn’t a trendy new cream or serum—it’s a broad spectrum SPF that you can wear every single day. In this article, we’ll explore the science of photoaging, how a daily mineral SPF preserves your skin’s youthfulness, and why Shaklee’s Shield Body SPF makes it easier than ever to protect what matters.
The science of photoaging
Photoaging refers to the premature aging in your skin caused by cumulative UV exposure, especially UVA rays. UVB rays from the sun primarily affect the outer layer of skin and cause sunburn, but UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin, damaging collagen and elastin, which are the key structural proteins that keep skin firm and elastic. This damage eventually causes fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation (sun spots and age spots), loss of firmness and sagging, uneven skin tone, and rough texture.
A lot of people think that you only need sunscreen during the summer, on sunny days, or at the beach. But your skin is exposed to UV rays every day, whether it’s sunny or cloudy and whether you’re indoors or outdoors. Up to 90% of UV rays can pass through cloud cover. Even if you stay indoors, your skin can still be exposed to UV rays since they can penetrate window glass. So daily SPF is a skin care must-have all year long.
Why daily SPF is your most powerful anti-aging step
There are a lot of steps you can take to keep your skin healthy and younger-looking, but daily SPF is always your first line of defense against skin damage and visible signs of aging. It’s much easier to protect your skin from the sun than to reverse sun damage. When sunscreen is applied correctly, it can protect your skin’s collagen structure, DNA integrity, and barrier function and can slow visible signs of aging. One long-term study found that participants who used daily SPF had 24% fewer signs of skin aging after 4.5 years, regardless of their age.1 So using sunscreen daily is the single most effective step you can take to preserve healthy, youthful-looking skin and encourage skin confidence at every age.
Mineral SPF is gentle, effective, and smart for daily use
There are two main types of sunscreens: mineral and chemical. We recommend using a mineral sunscreen like Shield Sheer Mineral Body Sunscreen SPF 30 as it creates a physical barrier that sits on top of your skin and reflects UV rays. Unlike chemical sunscreens that absorb UV rays and convert them into heat, mineral SPF is stable, gentle, and starts working immediately. Mineral sunscreens that use zinc oxide are non-comedogenic and anti-inflammatory, making them ideal if you have sensitive skin or are prone to acne. You can learn more about why mineral SPF is the smart choice in this article.
Where to apply daily SPF
When we think of skin care, we often think about products that we put on our face. While you should definitely apply a daily SPF to your face, other parts of your body are exposed to UV rays on a daily basis. Think about the areas of your body that are exposed to the sun based on your daily schedule and habits or what kind of clothing you wear. Areas like your neck, upper back, chest, shoulders, ears, arms, legs, and tops of hands and feet are all common areas for sun damage, thinning skin, and age spots later in life. So applying a daily SPF to your body can help prevent this.
Shield Body SPF: Clear protection. Sheer perfection.
Aging with grace starts with smart skin care and healthy SPF. So if you’re looking for a mineral sunscreen to add to your skin care routine, Shield Sheer Mineral Body Sunscreen SPF 30 is a solid option that you and your family can use every day. This science-backed, dermatologist-tested, and 100% mineral-based body sunscreen is powered by Clear Zinc Technology to provide SPF 30 broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection. The non-nano zinc oxide in Shield Body SPF means that it is lightweight, fast-absorbing, and doesn’t leave a white cast or residue that you might get from other mineral sunscreens. Shield Body SPF also has ingredients that help neutralize free radicals, support your skin’s moisture barrier, and counteract skin dehydration caused by sun exposure.
Prevention is the new glow
Aging is a beautiful thing. We may not be able to stop the clock, but we can do what we can to slow visible skin aging with daily SPF. It’s the most effective way to preserve your skin’s health, structure, and radiance, and the earlier you start, the more you’ll benefit. If you’re not already using a daily SPF, it’s never too late to start! Try Shield Body SPF for science-backed, 100% mineral-based sun protection that fits your lifestyle. Get your healthy SPF at Shaklee.com
- Hughes, M.C.B., Williams, G.M., Baker, P., Green, A.C. (2013). Sunscreen and prevention of skin aging: a randomized trial. Annals of Internal Medicine, 158(11), 781–790. DOI: 10.7326/0003-4819-158-11-201306040-00002
