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A good skincare routine is paramount for keeping your complexion clear and aging at bay. Everyone operates under a different set of skin concerns, so your routine should be highly personalized in order to have the best effect on your appearance. However, while a flawed skincare routine may seem to be better than none at all, there are mistakes you could be making that are actually negatively impacting your complexion and could even be expediting the aging process. In order to truly protect your skin and preserve your appearance, this is the one thing to be cognizant of in your morning routine.
You could use all the serums and anti-aging moisturizers in the world, but if you fail to apply sunscreen each morning, none of that will really matter. Sunscreen acts as a protective barrier against UV rays and outside damage, so skimping on SPF in the morning will create irreparable damage over time. And yes, you should be wearing it even if you aren’t going to the beach. “Wearing sunscreen should always be a part of your morning routine as wearing sunscreen protects your skin from UV damage which can occur and contribute to skin cancer and signs of skin aging including wrinkles, brown spots, fine lines and textural changes. Even if you are indoors you can be exposed to UVA light which is still able to penetrate through windows,” explains board-certified dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD.
While sunscreen is vital on the mornings when you plan to go outside, you should also be applying it on the days when you’re stuck at your computer. “While further research is needed, it is known that blue light can be emitted from our devices including phones and computers, and certain sunscreens such as Colorescience Sunforgettable and blue light blocking screen protectors, such as EyeJust, can protect the skin against blue light as well,” explains Garshick. Your skin is constantly faced with a barrage of outside sources which can cause damage, and SPF is the best way to make sure that they don’t have a long term impact on your complexion.
There are a number of makeup products on the market currently which include SPF, but Garshick warns that sticking to a designated face sunscreen will be more beneficial to your skin and offer a more complete coverage. “Importantly, while sunscreen in makeup is better than nothing unless you are applying a sufficient quantity, you may not be getting the full SPF coverage benefits, so it is best to use a separate sunscreen in addition.” In terms of your morning routine, apply your serums and moisturizer first before finishing off with SPF.
Including a selection of anti-aging skincare products can be great for minimizing existing fine lines and wrinkles, but without sunscreen in the morning, you’re subjecting your skin to an expedited aging process. Sun damage is one of the primary factors that cause fine lines and wrinkles after repeatedly exposing your skin to UV rays, so integrating SPF into your morning routine can help to hold signs of aging at bay while your other ingredients treat your complexion from the inside out.
