Sunscreen: The Miracle Ingredient

(Written by Lauren, TCU Intern) We know that sunscreen protects us from all kinds of sun damage, from sunburns to skin cancer, but did you know it helps fight wrinkles too? A new article in The Wall Street Journal explains new information about the benefits of sunscreen found during a study of individuals in Australia. Out of the 903 participants, all under the age of 55, half were asked to wear sunscreen containing an SPF of 15 daily  (reapplying when needed) and half were asked to wear the sunscreen only when needed (spending time outdoors, laying out at the  beach, etc.). Silicone impressions of all participant’s hands were taken at the beginning of the study and then compared to their hands at the end of the study (4 ½ years later). The results were surprising and showed that participants who wore sunscreen daily showed significantly less change in the skin’s surface compared to the participant’s hands who did not wear sunscreen daily.

These results prove what many dermatologists have been saying all along; sunscreen leads to overall healthier skin! Having moisturizers with at least 15 SPF can not only reduce your risk of skin cancer, but reduce the appearance of wrinkles as well. It is especially important to include sunscreen into your skin care regime in these hot summer months, but products containing sunscreen should be worn year round as well. Many of our skin care products contain SPF 15 or higher, perfect for making sure your skin is as healthy as possible!