WHY SUNSCREEN
IS THE BEST ANTI-AGEING PRODUCT

Article Read Duration 4 min read

The skin forms a vital barrier between our body and the environment. Research scientists are now convinced that solar radiation, toxic fumes, and pollutant particles all contribute to what is known as environmental ageing. Assailed by aggressors, our skin develops dullness, wrinkles, age spots, and pigmentation disorders.


The most common pigmentation disorders are:
• Actinic lentigo, or "age spots"
• Melasma, or "pregnancy mask"
• Uneven melanin distribution
• Vitiligo


Sunlight and pollution can trigger and worsen these pigmentation disorders, so it's important to use effective UVA-UVB sunscreen in an anti-pollution texture daily to minimise environmental ageing.

HOW THE ENVIRONMENT
AGES YOUR SKIN

Environmental ageing factor 1: The sun

The sun is the source of light and life, but it is also the source of damaging ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The effects of UVB radiation have been known for decades: Sunburn and skin damage. But UVB is only half of the story: Present all year round, even in cloudy weather, UVA and infrared rays penetrate deep within the skin, degrading its essential building blocks. To mitigate their effects, opt for broad spectrum UVA-UVB sunscreen enriched with anti-oxidants such as the ANTHELIOS range.   

Click HERE for everything you need to know about UVA-UVB rays.

Environmental ageing factor 2: Pollution

When it comes to sun exposure, the skin "warns" us when we have exceeded our tolerance threshold with redness, pain, and swelling – in other words, sunburn. But there is no such obvious response to pollution, making it a far more insidious threat for skin.

Environmental aging expert Professor Krutmann led a far-reaching study on 400 women - half of them urbanites - in order to confirm the effects of a polluted environment on skin. His study showed that there is a direct link between pollution levels and premature ageing signs, with 20% more age spots in the urban group.

 

"Environmental aggressors can have a direct impact on skin by triggering increased wrinkle formation." Prof. Krutmann

 

To mitigate the effects of pollution on skin, be sure to cleanse twice daily. La Roche-Posay Micellar Waters effectively remove all microscopic pollution particles from the skin. Also ask your pharmacist about daily care products with pollution-proof textures to stop particles from adhering to your skin and causing premature signs of ageing.

THE SUN AND POLLUTION:
A TOXIC DUO

Leading to wrinkles and age spots

There is mounting evidence that pollution amplifies and compounds the effects of solar radiation on skin. In the deep layers of the skin, oxidative stress "eats away" at the skin's support structures, encouraging the development of wrinkles.

At the skin's surface, UV and pollution particles work in tandem to send pigment-producing cells into overdrive, contributing to a dull or greying skin tone, "age spots", and other pigmentation disorders. That’s why UVA-UVB sunscreen with a pollution-proof texture is your daily weapon to combat environmental ageing.  

DIFFERENT TYPES OF
PIGMENTATION DISORDERS…

…And how to treat them

Pigmentation disorders take the form of either hyperpigmented brown spots, or depigmented white spots.

Age spots

Brown "age spots" often appear on the shoulders, arms, backs of the hands, and legs. Dermatologists call them actinic lentigo, or solar lentigines. These spots are a consequence of skin ageing caused by caused by UV exposure and sunburn. They constitute a warning signal that your “sun capital” (your skin’s maximum sun exposure limit) has been used up. Any additional UV exposure will make them more visible, so all sun protection measures need to be used, including high-protection broad-spectrum sunscreen, protective clothing and a hat.

Melasma

During pregnancy, or as a consequence of taking the contraceptive pill, grey-brown patches of pigmentation can develop on the face and neck. This is often known as "pregnancy mask" or melasma. Although primarily hormonal, melasma is triggered by the sun. If you are pregnant or using the pill, sunblock for melasma is recommended from the first sunny days in spring, to prevent the spots from getting any darker.

Click HERE to learn more about pregnancy mask and how to avoid it.

Uneven pigmentation

In some people, the skin can tan unevenly and form lighter-coloured spots, often on the arms. This blotchiness is often associated with freckles, as melanin is more unevenly distributed in the skin. To avoid uneven pigmentation, your go-to solution is daily UVA-UVB sunscreen on all exposed areas of skin.

Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a depigmentation disorder where the skin loses its pigment (melanin) in certain areas, causing pale white patches to appear on the skin. Vitiligo is a genetic disorder, but it is greatly intensified by sun exposure. A word of warning: Vitiligo patches are not protected from the sun at all – so they can sunburn super quickly. If you have vitiligo or pale spots, always use a high SPF sunscreen on exposed skin, even in winter.

Click HERE to learn how sun protection can prevent skin cancer.

La Roche-Posay Laboratories have created products specifically developed to protect your skin from environmental ageing, and to help lessen the appearance of uneven pigmentation.

ANTHELIOS Pigmentation SPF 50+ is the ideal sunscreen for melasma, age spots, and hyperpigmentation. This broad-spectrum, very high protection sunscreen is enriched with Procerad, to clarify and even the complexion.

REDERMIC R Corrective UV SPF30 is the ultimate anti-ageing product with SPF. The formula contains Retinol Booster Complex to effectively reduce the appearance of wrinkles and dark spots, as well as a broad-spectrum, high protection sunscreen to protect sensitive skin from harmful UV radiation.

TRUE
OR FALSE

Placeholder

SUN CAN MAKE
YOU AGE PREMATURELY.

TRUE An illustration of a correct answer to a question.

UVA rays disrupt skin’s inner building blocks such as collagen and elastin fibres. Over time,sun exposure causes a loss of plumpnessand elasticity as well as wrinkles. UVB rays also stimulate patchy and irregular pigment production leadingto dark spots and a sallow complexion. Globally, thesechanges in the skin are known as photo-ageing.
Learn More
Placeholder

THE EARLIER A SKIN
CANCER IS DETECTED, THE BETTER.

TRUE An illustration of a correct answer to a question.

If detected early, 90% of skin cancers are curable. That is why screening is so important Between dermatologistvisits, use [SAVE YOUR SKIN LANDING PAGE] to keep an eye on your moles and those of your loved ones. And of course, make sunscreen a daily non-negotiable to protect your moles and prevent skin cancer.
Learn More
Placeholder

NO NEED TO WEAR SUN
PROTECTION WHEN IT'S CLOUDY.

FALSE An illustration of an incorrect answer to a question.

Even on a grey and rainy day, skin is exposed to UV rays that will gradually cause the stigmata of photo-ageing to appear. To fully protect your skin, opt for sunscreen every day, not just when it’s warm and sunny. 
Learn More

WE ALSO HAVE
A RANGE FOR THAT

ANTHELIOS is a pioneering player in the suncare market. Its broad-spectrum, very high protection is the result of more than 25 years of advanced clinical research into suncare and sun sensitive skin.

OUR SAFETY
COMMITMENTS

Safety standards beyond international cosmetics regulations.

La Roche-Posay's product allergy-tested safety commitment

100% PRODUCTS
ALLERGY TESTED

See More
One Prerequisite = Zero Allergic reactions
If we detect a single case, we go back to the labs and reformulate
Safety Commitment Formula Protection Product

FORMULA PROTECTION
OVER TIME

See More
We select the most protective packaging associated with only the necessary preservatives, to guarantee intact tolerance and efficacy over time.
Safety Commitment Essential Active Dose Product

JUST THE ESSENTIAL,
AT THE RIGHT ACTIVE DOSE

See More
Developed in collaboration with dermatologist and toxicologist, our products contain only the necessary ingredients, at the right active dose.
laroche posay safety commitment sensitive skin model baby

TESTED
ON VERY SENSITIVE
 SKIN

See More
Our products' tolerance is verified on the most sensitive skin: reactive, allergic, acne-prone, atopic, damaged or weakened by cancer treatments.

SEE ALL ARTICLES
ABOUT SUN PROTECTION

placeholder EVERYTHING YOU NEED
TO KNOW ABOUT UVA AND UVB PROTECTION
READ MORE