Daily Sunscreen Use Proven to Reduce Signs of Premature Aging in Skin

A new study has determined that applying sunscreen every day can slow signs of aging, as well as dramatically reduce the risk of deadly skin cancer. The study has also shown that its never too late to begin the daily sunscreen routine to significantly lessen the signs of photoaging such as sun spots, wrinkles, and sagging skin.

"We now know that protecting yourself from skin cancer by using sunscreen has the added bonus of keeping you looking young." Dr. Adele Green, a professor at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research at the University of Queensland in Australia, told USA Today. "It has been a source of frustration for us that for some sections of the community, the sun-safe message does not seem to be getting through."

The study also tested whether or not the antioxidant beta-carotene also provide anti-aging benefits. This carotenoid has been shown to lower the risk of skin cancer. For the randomized-controlled trial, the researchers assigned 903 participants to one of four groups: Those who used broad-spectrum sunscreens daily and take 30 milligrams of beta-carotene, those who used daily sunscreen and took a placebo, those who took the beta-carotene but only used sunscreen periodically, and those who used sunscreen periodically and took a placebo. Everyone participating in the study were age 55 and under.

The two daily sunscreen groups used UVA/UVB blocking products with a SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or higher; they applied the product to their head, neck, arms, and hands each morning after bathing, and reapplied it every few hours. The other two groups applied sunscreen where and when they thought they needed it. The study groups were tracked for four and a half years, and used putty-like skin molds to document fine lines and wrinkles. They found that the groups using sunscreen every day showed 24 percent less skin photoaging than those who only applied it periodically. The results were the same regardless of age, so even the middle-aged participants benefited from regular sunscreen use. Results from the testing showed that the Beta Carotene had no benefit at all against the photo aging.  

In 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration began allowing sunscreen manufacturers to claim that their products reduced the risk of skin cancer and skin aging if used as directed, as long they also advised people to take other precautions, like reapplying sunscreen at least every two hours (more often if you're sweating or swimming), avoiding sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and wearing long-sleeved shirts, pants, and broad-brimmed hats to shield the skin when possible. We now know that daily application of sunscreen provides both cancer prevention and age prevention, which is worth the few seconds it takes to apply it every morning.