As a beauty editor, I’m fortunate in that I get to speak to the very best experts in the field on all things skincare. And as someone who has experienced both acne and eczema throughout my career, I’ve sat in the offices of several dermatologists—both as a journalist and a patient—and I’ve had firsthand recommendations on how to look after my skin’s health. But I’ve also picked up plenty of tips on how I can make my skin look its best, too. Now in my late 20s, I want to ensure I can keep my skin looking as good as possible into the future, so I’m always curious to know what the pros recommend when it comes to skincare.
If there is one piece of advice that dermatologists unanimously agree on, it’s that we should all be wearing SPF. Every. Single. Day. With UV rays accounting for around 80% of skin ageing, wearing sunscreen is one of the simplest and easiest steps to take now that will pay dividends in the future. It reduces your risk of skin cancer from exposure to the sun, and also prevents sun damage, wrinkles and pigmentation, to name but a few other benefits. It’s one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to invest in your skin.
“As dermatologists, number one on our list of recommendations is always sunscreen,” says Dr Jason Thomson, head of medical at Skin + Me. “The sun’s rays are the primary cause of skin cancer, which can be deadly if not caught early. As the sun’s damaging and prematurely ageing UVA rays are constant throughout the year, it means a broad-spectrum sunscreen is always important.”