My cousins made fun of me in the ’90s for my skincare habit – now they’re 8-13 years younger than me but don’t look it
PROPER skincare is no laughing matter, but one woman said her relatives used to make jokes at her expense over her beauty habits.
In the end, she was the one who had the last laugh.
Redditor Missmisfit shared the anti-aging tip in a post.
“My cousins used to make fun of me in the 90s/early 2000s for using sunscreen and not being tan like them,” she said.
“They spent that time tanning in the sun in the summer and hitting up those tanning beds in the winter.”
Her trusty skincare habit, however, paid off years later.
“They are between 8 and 13 years younger than me,” she said.
“They do not look it.”
Dermatologists, such as Dr. Michele Green, agreed on the importance of sunscreen to prevent wrinkles and fines lines.
Green believes that the most affordable anti-aging treatment anyone can invest in is daily sunscreen use.
The sun, not time, she explained, is the skin’s biggest enemy.
“Sunscreen is an essential part of a daily anti-aging routine, as the sun is one of the biggest causes of premature aging and the development of wrinkles, fine lines, and sunspots,” she said to The US. Sun.
“Sun damage can also impair collagen production and reduce skin elasticity.”
Green added that sunscreen is just as important on downcast days, as UV rays can penetrate through clouds.
“For maximum protection, a broad-spectrum sunscreen of
SPF 50 or higher should be applied every day, even on days when the sun is not out,” she said.
“UV rays can penetrate through clouds and windows and reflect off snow and rain puddles.”
What is UPF and how is it different from SPF?
While SPF measures the effectiveness of sunscreens, UPF imeasures the effectiveness of sun-protective clothing.
UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, it specifies how much UV radiation (both UVA and UVB) can get through a fabric to the skin underneath.
A UPF of 50 blocks 98% of UV rays and is considered excellent, while a UPF of 30 is considered good and gets The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation.
Generally, dark clothing gives more protection than light clothing, while dense fabric is more protective than loose weaves.
Synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon also offer more sun protection than natural fibers, according to REI.
On the other hand, SPF (Sun Protection Factor) measures the time it takes for skin to get red when exposed to just UVB rays.
With sunscreen as the main skincare priority, Green added that quality ingredients in your skincare came next to a proper anti-aging regimen.
“It is important to look for active ingredients that have been clinically studied and proven to serve a specific purpose for the skin,” she said.
Green explained that a good anti-aging routine doesn’t have to break the bank and should contain a gentle cleanser, a hydrating moisturizer, and a broad-spectrum sunscreen.
“Anti-aging skincare routines do not need to be complicated with a million different products,” she said.
If users desired, she recommended they add a specialized serum with active ingredients to target specific concerns.
“[It] should contain ingredients such as peptides, antioxidants, or retinol to address anti-aging skin concerns such as fine lines and wrinkles, pigmentation, or dullness,” she said.