Beauty Beyond Time: Why SPF Matters for Active Ageing

As we get older, our skin goes through a lot of change. It starts to lose a bit of its bounce, can feel dry, and those fine lines and wrinkles tend to become more noticeable. While a good skincare routine is always important, there’s one product you should never skip if you want to keep your skin looking its best, SPF.

Daily sun protection is one of the easiest and most effective ways to look after your skin’s health and delay signs of ageing as much as possible. Here's how SPF can play an essential role in your Active Ageing journey.

Why SPF Matters for Active Ageing and Mature Skin

Most of the visible signs of skin ageing like fine lines, dark spots, and loss of firmness are caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. UVA rays reach deep into your skin and speed up the ageing process, while UVB rays cause burning and surface damage.

Adding SPF into your daily routine isn’t just about avoiding sunburn when you’re on holiday. It’s one of the most effective ways to protect your skin’s health and prevent future damage. Regular use can help reduce the appearance of sun spots, uneven skin tone, and fine lines, keeping your complexion smoother, brighter, and healthier for longer.

What Is Active Ageing and How Does SPF Fit In?

Active ageing is all about making the most of every stage of life. A balanced diet, regular movement, and looking after you mind and body are all key parts of this, but so is your daily skincare. Protecting your skin from UV damage is one of the smartest steps you can make to help keep it strong and resilient. It's also a skincare step that you shouldn't save until summer, it's a daily essential to keep your skin looking younger for longer.

How to Pick the Right SPF for Ageing Skin

When you're choosing an SPF, don't just be drawn to the number on the bottle. Mature skin can be dry, thinner, and more sensitive, so it’s important to pick a formula that works for you. Here’s everything to look for:

Broad-Spectrum Protection: Make sure your sunscreen shields against both UVA (ageing) and UVB (burning) rays.
SPF 30 or Higher: Dermatologists suggest using at least SPF 30, but SPF 50 is even better for everyday use.
Hydrating Ingredients: Your skin tends to get more dry with age, so go for formulas with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or squalane to keep your skin feeling comfortable and hydrated.
Antioxidants: Extras like vitamin C, vitamin E, or niacinamide help protect against free radical damage and environmental stress.
Non-Comedogenic: This helps to avoid clogged pores, especially if your skin still gets the odd breakout.

Shop SPF products for mature skin and active ageing at Face the Future.

Our Favourite SPFs for Active Ageing

There’s no shortage of sunscreens out there, so to make life easier, we’ve rounded up some of our top picks for ageing skin:

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Age Correct SPF50

This one ticks all the boxes. With high protection, a lightweight feel, and added skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, this helps to smooth wrinkles, boost elasticity and increase hydration.

Augustinus Bader The Sunscreen SPF 50

Providing broad spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays, the Augustinus Bader The Sunscreen SPF 50 harnesses the power of Augustinus Bader's signature TFC8® technology to not only shield your skin against the harmful effects of the sun, but also encourages skin renewal and repair to keep your skin healthy, radiant, and youthful-looking.

Medik8 Advanced Day Ultimate Protect SPF 50+

Acting as a daily moisturiser, this extremely high-protection suncream is a guardian for your skin. This broad-spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen protects against UV rays and free radical damage, boasting the highest level of UV protection and using light-activated repair technology to support skin recovery.

Sarah Chapman Skin Insurance SPF50 Invisible 30ml

Formulated to shield all skin tones from UVA, UVB, thermal and infrared radiation, this invisible sunscreen is infused with skin-blurring optical diffusers, perfecting your complexion with its second-skin finish.

How to Use SPF Properly

If you're always questioning about how to use SPF correctly or if you're using the right amount, here’s a quick refresher:

Apply it every morning: Make it the last step in your skincare routine, after your moisturiser but before makeup.
Use enough: Most people don’t apply enough. Aim for around two finger lengths of product for your face and neck.
Reapply often: If you’re outside, top it up every two hours. And always reapply after swimming or sweating.
Wear it all year-round: UV rays are always there, even when it’s cloudy or cold, so make SPF a non-negotiable part of your daily skincare routine.

SPF for Active Ageing: How we can help

We know how important it is to look after your skin at every age. If you’re looking for and SPF that's lightweight for daily wear, or a rich formula for dry skin, you’ll find it in our SPF collection.

If you’re not sure which SPF is right for you, our Skin Experts are on hand for 1-1 consultations and can recommend the best options for your skin.

Shop SPF Products For Active Ageing

Dermatologist Recommended