Photoageing – What causes it and how can I prevent it?

Over exposure to the sun is the main cause of premature ageing in skin which is known as photoageing. The sun’s UVA rays are primarily responsible, but high-energy visible (HEVIS) light can also cause the oxidative stress that damages cellular DNA. As a result, skin starts to form wrinkles, sag and develop pigmentation issues before its time. Ensuring skin is properly protected year-round, and using superior sun care products, can help to prevent photoageing.

Photoageing is premature skin ageing caused by over exposure to the sun’s rays.

When skin ages prematurely it develops signs of ageing faster than one would expect. Research shows that up to 90% of all symptoms of premature skin ageing are caused by UV
exposure¹.

^{1 Ramos-e-Silva et al., ‘Anti-aging cosmetics: Facts and controversies’. Clin Dermatol. 2013 Nov-Dec; 31(6): 750-8.}

As skin ages, it changes:

• The collagen and elastin responsible for the plumpness of youthful skin deplete skin starts to lose volume and sag and it develops fine lines and wrinkles.
• Skin is less able to attract and retain the moisture it needs and skin’s own production of Natural Moisturising Factors depletes. It becomes drier.
• It can develop uneven pigmentation (a condition known as dyspigmentation or hyperpigmentation) and solar lentigines (more commonly known as age spots or sun spots ).

You can find out more in How does skin change over the years?

There are two types of skin ageing − intrinsic and extrinsic:

Intrinsic ageing

As we age, so does our skin. This type of ageing is entirely natural and there’s nothing we can do about it. It is known as intrinsic (or chronological) ageing. Intrinsic ageing is brought about by internal factors such as our genetics and the hormonal changes that happen at the different stages of life.

Extrinsic ageing

Extrinsic ageing, on the other hand, is controllable. Extrinsic ageing is brought about by external factors such as the environment (weather conditions and sun exposure), lifestyle choices (such as smoking and drinking alcohol) and medication. These factors can cause skin to age prematurely.

Photoageing is caused by overexposure to the sun.
The photons in sun’s UVB rays are absorbed by skin cells and cause direct damage to cellular DNA. UVB is what causes our skin to burn in the sun and the direct DNA damage can also lead to skin diseases including skin cancer.

While this direct DNA damage plays a part in the photoageing of skin, it’s the sun’s UVA rays that are the main cause of premature ageing in skin. UVA rays also damage cellular DNA, but they do so indirectly: they trigger the formation of free radicals and it’s these free radicals that damage our DNA in a process known as oxidative stress. Recent research has also shown that high-energy visible ( HEVIS) light rays contribute to the premature ageing of skin, though to a much lesser extent than UVA.

UVA rays are less intense than UVB, but they are 30 to 50 times more prevalent and are present with relatively equal intensity during all daylight hours throughout the year so it is important to apply sun protection on a daily basis, and all-year-round, to prevent long-term damage. We also recommend that you look out for sun care products that include protection from HEVIS light.

The best way to protect skin from photoageing is to limit the time spent in the sun, avoid it during its most intense hours, wear protective clothing and apply a superior sun protection product that offers the level of protection that your skin needs. We also recommend that you use sun protection products that have been specially formulated to suit your skin type and condition. As the face, hands and décolleté are more exposed to the sun than the rest of the body these areas need specific and consistent year-round protection to help reduce visible signs of ageing.

All face and body sunscreens in the Eucerin sun protection range for adults include Eucerin’s Advanced Spectral Technology which combines broadband and photostable UVA/UVB filters¹ for superior UV protection with Licochalcone A , a powerful antioxidant which works to neutralise the free radicals caused by UV and HEVIS light. The Eucerin Kids range of sun protection products for children also works to protect sensitive young skin from premature skin ageing. Find out more in Why do babies and children need special sun protection?

If photoageing is your primary skin concern try:

• Eucerin Sun Fluid Photoaging Control SPF 50 and Eucerin Sun Creme Tinted Photoaging Control SPF 50 Fair or Medium (for your face)
• Eucerin Sun Lotion Extra Light Photoaging Control SPF 50+  (for your body).

In addition to Eucerin’s Advanced Spectral Technology the products contain Glycyrrhetinic Acid which supports skin’s own DNA repair mechanism and Hyaluronic Acid which visibly reduces signs of ageing. The tinted products also contain colour pigments that help to cover uneven pigmentation and instantly unify the complexion.

If you already have pigmentation concerns such as sun or age spots , the Eucerin Anti-Pigment range is clinically proven to be effective at fading them and preventing their reappearance.

You can read more about how to minimise the risks of exposure, how to choose the right sun protection products for your skin and how best to apply them in Why do I need daily sun protection for my face? and How should I protect my body from the sun?

^{1 Meeting the highest standards for UVA and UVB protection as defined by Cosmetics Europe. The levels of UVA protection are higher than the EU
requirement.}