The Best Anti-Ageing Advice Nobody Talks Enough About.

 

When people ask me about skincare, they're often looking for the latest serum, the newest ingredient, or the miracle product that will help them maintain healthy, youthful-looking skin.

And while there are certainly some wonderful skincare products available today, there is one habit that I believe is much more important than almost anything else.

Daily sun protection.

Not just when you're on holiday.

Not just when the sun is shining.

Every single day.

As someone who spent almost 35 years travelling the world as cabin crew with British Airways, I've seen every type of climate imaginable. I've experienced intense sunshine in destinations across the Caribbean, Asia, Australia, Africa and Europe. I've also spent countless hours operating on an aircraft at 35,000 feet where UV exposure is even greater.

One thing those years taught me is that skin damage doesn't happen overnight.

It happens little by little.

A walk on a sunny day.

An afternoon in the garden.

A drive in the car.

A holiday abroad.

Sitting beside a sunny window.

Each exposure may seem insignificant on its own, but over time every single one of those moments add up.

Ageing vs Sun Damage

Many people assume that wrinkles, pigmentation and loss of firmness are simply part of getting older.

Of course, ageing plays a role, but so much of what we think of as ageing is actually the result of years of cumulative sun exposure.

This is often referred to as photoageing.

The signs can include:

• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Uneven skin tone
• Pigmentation and age spots
• Loss of elasticity
• Dullness
• Rough skin texture

The good news is that protecting your skin today can help reduce future damage.

My Daily Routine

My morning skincare routine is actually quite simple.

After I cleanse my skin, I apply my serum, eye cream and moisturise, and then finish with my SPF 50+ face cream before applying makeup.

For me, SPF is not an optional extra.

It's an essential step.

No matter the season.

No matter the weather.

No matter whether I'm staying at home or travelling abroad.

What To Look For In An SPF

A good SPF should offer broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays.

UVB rays are largely responsible for sunburn, while UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin and contribute significantly to premature ageing.

For me, I prefer a high-protection SPF 50+, particularly for the face, neck and décolletage, which are often the areas that show signs of ageing first.

I remember shortly after I started flying long haul, the crew would often make reference to "Stewardess's Chest" (yes, it is a thing lol.) and to be very aware to look after your skin especially in certain countries, even if it was overcast. 

It describes the skin damage, wrinkles or redness on the neck and décolletage caused by unprotected sun exposure. Something I honestly didn't think too much about then, but thankfully we are all much more aware and informed these days.

Supporting The Skin Beyond UV Protection

One of the products I currently use is my Essens Face Cream SPF 50+.

What I really love about it is that it combines high sun protection with ingredients that support the skin itself.

It contains Arganyl®, a powerful antioxidant derived from the leaves of the Moroccan argan tree. This ingredient has been studied for its ability to help protect against free radicals, blue light exposure, UV-related stress and glycation, while also helping to support skin firmness and elasticity.

It also contains Vitamin E, a well-known antioxidant that helps protect the skin against environmental damage and supports healthy-looking skin.

An ultra-fine micronised rice powder leaves the skin feeling silky smooth and creates a lovely finish under makeup.

If I Could Give One Piece Of Advice

Look after tomorrow's skin, today

Looking after your skin is not about chasing perfection.

It's about caring for yourself, protecting what you have, and giving your skin the support it deserves.

The best time to start .... as early as possible.

The second-best time is today.

Looking after your skin isn't about fearing getting older.

It's about looking after yourself, caring for your health, and giving your future self every opportunity to look and feel it's very best.