Dermatologists Agree You’re Probably Making This 1 Common Skincare Mistake

Are you all about the 10-step skincare routine, but slack on wearing sunscreen? Unfortunately, you might be flushing your time and money down the toilet. That’s the major message from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) on the heels of a new survey, which found that most Americans aren’t using sunscreen properly.

The survey, which included more than 1,000 American adults, found that nearly half of them worry about premature skin aging, yet only half of those surveyed use sunscreen regularly. 1 in 4 people surveyed also said they didn't know that sunscreen helps prevent premature skin aging (which, FYI, it does).

Even among the people who did know that unprotected sun exposure leads to skin aging, many still aren't using sunscreen as an anti-aging tool in their skincare tool belt. A whopping 73 percent of people surveyed said they use products or procedures to prevent skin aging, but only 56 percent said they use sunscreen regularly. Plus, only 20 percent slather it on when it's cloudy out, despite health professionals advising daily application.

Sure, you've likely heard about the importance of sunscreen a million times before, especially to help prevent certain types of skin cancer.¹ But if youthful-looking skin is also your top priority, dermatologists say you're holding yourself back if you're not using sunscreen properly. Read on to learn why, plus tips on how to get the most out of the essential skincare product.

Why is sunscreen an important anti-aging tool?

Dermatologists agree that sunscreen is a crucial part of skincare. “Sunscreen is the most important part of your anti-aging skincare routine,” says Gary Goldenberg, MD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital. “It protects against ultraviolet rays, which are the main cause of skin aging and photoaging," he adds.

Ife J. Rodney, MD, founding director of Eternal Dermatology + Aesthetics, agrees. “The very best thing that you can do for anti-aging skincare is to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen consistently every morning with reapplication throughout the day,” she says.

UVA (ultraviolet A) rays, in particular, penetrate deep into the skin, where they break down essential proteins like collagen and elastin, Dr. Goldenberg explains.² This can lead to wrinkles, sagging, and uneven skin texture and pigment. “UVB (ultraviolet B) rays, which usually cause sunburns, contribute to DNA damage and accelerate photoaging (i.e., sun damage),” Dr. Goldenberg explains. UV also breaks down adipose tissue (a type of connective tissue in the body made of fat) in the skin, leading to even more sagging, Dr. Goldenberg says.³

Sunscreen as an anti-aging tool is not a theory, by the way: Research proves it. One study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, for example, followed people over four years and found those who used sunscreen with SPF 15 and higher had less signs of skin aging during the study period. People who used higher SPF had even better results.⁴ “I always keep this reference on-hand and show it to patients,” Dr. Goldenberg says.

But you have to use sunscreen the right way to get the most impact.

While it's one thing to use sunscreen when you're headed to the park or beach on a summer day to prevent sunburn, it's another to use it consistently and properly for anti-aging effects, as the AAD survey points out.

For example, you might be missing out on the key benefits of sunscreen by only applying it at the start of the day. "People tend to just use sunscreen in the morning and think that's good enough, but re-application of the sunscreen is key," Dr. Rodney says.

Also, slathering up even when it's cloudy outside is crucial. “Clouds are horrible UV blockers, with up to 80 percent of UVA and UVB rays penetrating through clouds,” Dr. Goldenberg says. “That is why I advise my patients to wear sunscreen daily, regardless of the weather,” he adds.

"The more consistent you are with protecting your skin from UV exposure, the better off you’ll be in preventing and avoiding the changes from cumulative sun exposure, such as freckling and discoloration of the skin, increased fine lines and wrinkles, premature aging, and skin cancer," says Susan Massick, MD, a dermatologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

Sunscreen doesn’t need to replace your usual skincare routine, though.

Just because sunscreen is important doesn't mean you have to ditch your beloved moisturizing, brightening, or toning skincare routine. You can simply add regular sunscreen use to your lineup to maximize your anti-aging and skin-protecting results.

“Sunscreen can be used together with other anti-aging skincare products, such as retinol and vitamin C,” Dr. Goldenberg says. These "other products work to repair UV damage, whereas daily sunscreen can prevent UV damage," Dr. Massick adds.

Bottom line: Dr. Rodney stresses the importance of using sunscreen the right way for younger-looking skin. “It can make a significant difference,” she says. Dr. Goldenberg agrees, pointing out that sunscreen is a relatively cheap option compared to many other anti-aging skincare products. “Good things don’t have to be expensive,” he adds.

If you're having trouble finding the right face or body sunscreen for you, check out the winners of our latest SPF Awards.