If anyone could give you just one skincare tip, it would be this: wear sunscreen every day. Period. Here's why — and how to use it properly.
UV radiation is the main cause of premature skin ageing. Dermatology estimates suggest that about 80 % of all visible signs of ageing (wrinkles, pigment spots, sagging skin) come from sun exposure — not from actual biological ageing.
And: UV-A radiation passes through clouds, window glass and is present in winter too. Even if you sit at your office desk all day, you're exposed to UV-A — through the windows, in the car, at the bus stop.
Sunscreen doesn't just protect against sunburn. It protects against exactly the things that anti-ageing creams for €200 a tube claim to undo. Prevention is significantly cheaper than repair.
For everyday: SPF 30 minimum. For longer time outside (beach, hiking, gardening): SPF 50+. The difference in protection between SPF 30 and SPF 50 is smaller than people think (~3 % more protection), but during intense sun the upcharge is worth it.
Important: look for UVA + UVB protection. In Europe you can spot UVA protection by the circled "UVA" symbol on the packaging. UVB protection is indicated by the SPF value.
This is where 90 % of people go wrong without realising it. Studies show: most people use only a third of the necessary amount. That means you're also getting only a fraction of the stated SPF.
For your face you need about a pea- to two-pea-sized amount. For the neck an additional half a pea. For the whole body: roughly a shot glass full of sunscreen.
A good trick for the face: the two-finger rule. Squeeze a line of sunscreen onto your index and middle finger. That amount is about right for the face.
This is the uncomfortable truth: every 2 hours when you're in the sun. After swimming or heavy sweating immediately. In an office with normal daylight from a window, one application in the morning is usually enough.
If you wear make-up: there are mineral powder sunscreens or sprays you can apply over make-up. Not quite as even as a proper cream — but better than nothing.
Work via a chemical reaction in the skin. Advantage: lightweight, transparent, great under make-up. Disadvantage: can irritate sensitive skin. Example ingredients: avobenzone, octocrylene, Tinosorb.
Work physically — they reflect UV radiation. Advantage: lower irritation potential, immediately effective. Disadvantage: can leave a whitish cast, especially on darker skin. Example: zinc oxide, titanium dioxide.
Which is better? The one you actually use every day. If mineral feels too heavy and you skip it as a result, chemical is better. And vice versa.