SCREEN SAVERS

DON’T LEAVE THE HOUSE WITHOUT APPLYING THIS BEAUTY BASIC

There’s an anti-ageing product that has the backing of many scientists and it’s available almost anywhere.

Not only does it promise to prevent wrinkles, it can cost as little as $8 a bottle.

In fact, you’ve probably got it sitting in your cupboard already. What is this enchanted invention, you squeal? Drumroll, please … it’s sunscreen.

In the harsh summer months, sunscreen is a vital beach buddy, music festival mate, picnic partner — basically any outdoor activity, our friend the sunscreen is there.

If you slop it on daily, scientific papers confirm you’ll minimise the signs of premature ageing, including facial wrinkles, sun spots, rough patches and sagging.

A study by Johnson and Johnson suggests that daily sunscreen use can even reverse the signs of ageing. Skin cells regenerate every 28 days, so if they’re protected from sun damage they’ll push through looking fresh and new.

“The vast majority of visible signs of ageing or hyperpigmentation are as a result of the sun and its damaging UV rays,” Skinstitut spokeswoman Zoe Devine says.

“Up to 80 per cent of premature ageing is believed to be attributed to the sun.

“UVA rays in particular penetrate deeper into the skin, into the dermis, contributing to wrinkling, loss of tone and elasticity.

“In Australia we experience some of the highest levels of UV radiation in the world, due to our proximity to the equator and frequent blue skies.”

Beauty blogger Kat Williams has long been sold on the benefits of sunscreen, saying her best piece of beauty advice is to protect your body’s largest organ with the liquid gold (or white … stuff).

“Always wear sunscreen,” Kat says.

“I don’t think enough people realise just how damaging the high UV index is to your skin. Trust me, you’ll thank me when you’re older.”

If you want to start wearing sunscreen daily, pop it on in the morning to provide a base for your foundation to cling to.

If you’re not into the strong smell or the thickness, plenty of beauty and medical brands have a range of daily moisturisers, foundations and BB creams with SPF15+.

For the best results, opt for at least SPF30+ sunscreen or a sunscreen and moisturiser combo. When you’re applying, smooth on to the skin in upward strokes. This prevents the skin losing elasticity from pulling it downwards and encouraging it to fall with gravity.

You should notice a difference in your skin’s appearance in just a few months — but you do have to apply every day, even when the sky is overcast.

“While cloud cover may slightly reduce UV levels, clouds do not have the ability to attenuate UVA intensity,” Zoe says.

“It’s these UVA rays that are most damaging to our skin. They penetrate much deeper, down to our dermis, and cause longterm skin damage and premature ageing.”