The best anti-ageing sunscreen for your skincare regime

Anti-ageing sun creams will protect your skin whilst helping to maintain a youthful glow.

The best anti-ageing sunscreen

by Hannah Carroll |
Published on

One of the best things you can do for your skin to slow down the natural ageing process is to protect it from the sun. Prolonged exposure to the sun's harsh rays can cause premature ageing, as well as damage to your skin. The best anti-ageing sunscreen will not only protect your skin from the sun but will it leave it feeling moisturised, hydrated and support the skin's natural healing process - leaving you looking younger for a little bit longer.

With so many sunscreens on the market, you may wonder what makes an anti-ageing sunscreen different. These creams have been advanced to restore our skin's natural properties, using beneficial ingredients such as vitamin C, retinol, hyaluronic acid and many more. Even before your skin begins to show signs of ageing, it is a good idea to use these creams as they will help to keep your skin looking radiant for longer.

The best anti-ageing sunscreen at a glance:

Best overall: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Age Correct - view on La Roche-Posay
Best to wear with makeup: Flawless PhotoGlow SPF 30+ - view on Transformulas
Best daily moisturiser with sunscreen: Olay Niacinamide + SPF30 Day Moisturiser - view on Boots

Unfortunately, the skin's ageing process can never be stopped completely. However, sun cream goes a long way to help slow it down. The most significant influence of ageing is UV damage from sunlight and lifestyle elements such as your diet, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, stress and air pollution - all contribute to premature ageing.

The good news is, we have scoured the internet to find the very best anti-ageing creams that you can incorporate into your daily skincare routine.

Best anti-ageing sunscreen

Best overall

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Age Correct, 50mlCredit: John Lewis
Price: £24.80 (was £31)

www.laroche-posay.co.uk

La Roche-Posay is renowned for quality skincare products, including the Anthelios Age Correct sunscreen with high broad-spectrum UVA and UBV factor 50 protection. Enriched with Hyaluronic Acid, PHE-Resorcinol and LHA, Niacinamide and La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water, it helps to hydrate the skin. These actives can also help to improve skin elasticity, target pigmentation, and soothe the skin.

Customer review: "I have just tried this sunscreen for the first time today and it exceeded expectations - might become a new go-to favourite! Moisturising, sinks in well into the skin, scent is not overpowering, easy to reapply. Just brilliant."

Pros

  • Recommended by dermatologists
  • Suitable for all skin types
  • High SPF protection

Cons

  • None that we could think of!

Best anti-ageing sunscreen to wear with makeup

Best anti-ageing sunscreens: Flawless PhotoGlow SPF 30+Credit: Transformulas

PhotoGlow Daily Skin Radiance SPF30 has anti-ageing and environmental preservation properties. The lightweight cream will leave you feeling and looking more youthful as it has been clinically proven to reduce the appearance of ageing. With the latest technology, this daily cream will have your skin glowing with SPF30+ to ensure you stay protected whilst out and about.

Our review: " When I read about the Flawless PhotoGlow, I have to say I was a little sceptical. It seemed to be all singing and all dancing - something I am usually very wary of when it comes to skincare. However, within two weeks of using it, I was absolutely blown away by the results. My skin looked so much better and I received so many compliments. I love to wear this every day with or without make-up, although I have noticed that when I wear it with make-up, my foundation seems to look much better."

Pros

  • Encourages collagen regeneration
  • Rich in antioxidants
  • Noticeable glow

Cons

  • Some people found issues when using the pump ( we did not)

Best daily moisturiser with sunscreen

Best anti-ageing sunscreen: Olay Niacinamide + SPF30 Day MoisturiserCredit: Boots
Price: £19 (was £38)

www.boots.com

This Olay daily moisturiser with SPF contains vitamin E and niacinamide. Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3, which your body needs to help maintain healthy-looking skin. This cream uses advanced technology that can help to leave your skin looking visually firmer and can reduce the appearance of fine lines.

Our review: "When it comes to creams sometimes I prefer to wear a cream which feels heavier. Especially after doing a deep cleanse and exfoliation. This cream leaves my skin feeling hydrated and silky smooth. I love wearing it without make-up on a hot day as I know that it is packed full of great ingredients which leave my skin looking great."

Pros

  • UVA and UVB broad-spectrum protection
  • Non-greasy
  • Pure Niacinamide and Vitamin E

Cons

  • Heavier cream

Best for oily skin

Avène Anti-ageing Suncare SPF 50+
Price: £18.20 (was £22.75)

www.boots.com

If you're prone to oily skin, the Avène Anti-ageing Suncare is a great option thanks to its non-greasy, dry-touch formula. As well as offering high factor 50 sun protection, it has anti-ageing properties including Ascofilline to promote collagen production and Pre-Tocopheryl for further protection against free radicals. We also love that it includes Avène's thermal spring water that'll help to soothe and soften the skin.

Customer review: "I got this on offer so I thought why not! Especially cause I read on the reviews that it's good for oily skin and I have to say it is so good, at least for my skin! Usually whenever I wear sunscreen (tried many brands of sunscreen) I have to have tissue paper with me to take the oiliness off my face. Finally with this sunscreen I don't have to. I decided to test it without any mositure underneath and mositure and it makes the makeup glide on so easily! It's very smooth once it's applied onto the face! Almost like a primer effect! Very happy with this purchase."

Pros

  • Suitable for all skin types
  • High SPF protection
  • Non-sticky and dry touch

Cons

  • Make sure to rub it in - some reviewers found it left them looking a little pale

Best anti-ageing sunscreen for sensitive skin

Best anti-ageing sunscreen: Ultrasun SPF 30 Anti-Ageing Very Sensitive Facial Sun Cream, 50mlCredit: John Lewis

This multi-purpose sunscreen delivers high, long-lasting protection with just one application. This cream includes Ectoin, a natural substance proven to prevent UVA-induced premature ageing and GSP-T, a powerful antioxidant complex that protects skin cells from oxidative stress. Offering UVA and UVB protection, this sunscreen sinks into the skin quickly and has been designed specifically for sensitive skin.

Customer review: "I've used this product for years. SPF 30 in the winter and SPF 50 in the summer. Apart from sun protection, it's also great as a moisturiser. I wouldn't be without it."

Pros

  • Preservative-free
  • Vegan
  • High sun protection

Cons

  • Thick texture

Best lightweight anti-ageing sunscreen

Best anti-ageing sunscreen: ELEMIS Daily Defence Shield SPF 30Credit: Amazon

The Elemis Daily Defence Shield is a lightweight sunscreen that offers broad protection against pollution and harmful rays, both outside and indoors. This cream offers great protection from all of the elements. We love that this cream isn't scented and works perfectly underneath makeup with coconut and jojoba oils included for a nourished and smooth skin.

Customer review: "This has been particularly useful, even though the year is sliding away from us. The sun is still strong and this cream is smooth, easy to rub on, and very effective. I play golf 3-4 times a week and I need to wear a strong sunscreen around my face, neck and arms. Usually, I come away with regular barrier cream with some sun damage, but not with this cream. It was excellent, smelt nice and I will buy some more as soon as I have used this one up, which, with the current weather, won't be long. Brilliant."

Pros

  • Weightless
  • Suitable for all skin types
  • Non-greasy

Cons

  • Coconut scent which may not be for everyone

Recommended

Best anti-ageing sunscreen: AGE DEFY+ DAILY SPF30 MOISTURISER 30MLCredit: Green People

This summer-scented moisturiser from Cha Vohtz has SPF30 protection that also helps keep skin fresh, firm and protected against sun damage. We love this sunscreen because it has been created using plant extracts that are proven to hydrate, firm and renew mature skin. It may help to fade fine lines and radiate a healthy, balanced summer skin glow.

Our review: "This sunscreen is lightweight. It smells and feels amazing. It leaves the skin feeling hydrated without the heavy feeling of other creams. I love that it doesn't leave the skin looking shiny or greasy. I usually put it on after completing my skincare routine and approx. 30 minutes before applying my make-up. "

Pros

  • Non-greasy
  • Lightweight
  • 87 per cent natural origin ingredients
  • Advanced antioxidants protect against free radical damage

Cons

  • Scented which may not be for everyone

Best anti-pollution anti-ageing sunscreen

Best anti-ageing sunscreen: Clarins - UV PLUS Anti-Pollution SPF 50 Translucent Credit: Clarins

The Clarins UV Plus Anti-Pollution SPF 50 not only offers high UV protection - it's a multi-protection moisturising screen that protects against five types of pollutants including atmospheric and indoor pollution, photo-pollution, blue light and pollen. The watery gel texture is enriched with organic mango leaf extract to help enhance the skin's self-defence whilst hydrating and caring for the skin.

Customer review: "I love this product as it's light and not sticky. Blends in well and does not leave my face looking dull and grey."

Pros

  • Protects against UV rays and five types of pollution, including blue light
  • Moisturises skin
  • Higher SPF

Cons

  • Gel texture may not be for all

How to protect your skin in the summer

Looking after your skin in hot weather is a great way to ensure the health of your skin. As we have previously mentioned, SPF is key to keeping your skin looking youthful. We spoke to Skincare Expert and Facialist, Cecilia Ross to find out her top tips for looking after your skin this summer.

Smother with SPF

Use a high-quality SPF on your face, neck, arms and hands daily, ensuring you are regularly re-apply throughout the day every two hours.

Add antioxidants

Antioxidants such as vitamin C are ideal to add into your morning or evening routine. They fight free radical damage including UV rays and pollution, protecting the skin.

Hydration with hyaluronic

I’d recommend adding a moisturising hyaluronic-based gel or serum. It will provide your skin with the moisture it needs without using anything too heavy that could clog the pores.

Keep it light

When you’re moving from air-conditioned offices, this can be very drying for the skin. So, I’d recommend layering up with light skincare and make-up products.

What makes an anti-ageing sunscreen?

Anti-ageing sunscreens products contain ingredients which protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Most commonly, these products contain zinc oxide. Zinc oxide is a fantastic mineral which helps to aid the production of collagen and elastin - in simple terms, these are the proteins that make your skin look line-free and youthful.

That being said, certain sunscreens may also include additional anti-ageing ingredients like peptides, retinol (Vitamin A), hyaluronic acid, or collagen-boosting compounds. These ingredients can help support the skin's natural processes and promote a youthful appearance.

We'd also recommend looking out for antioxidants, like vitamins C and E. These can help to protect the skin from free radicals generated by UV exposure, which can contribute to skin-ageing.

For a full breakdown of all the ingredients in the sunscreens selected in this article, read the specifications tab.

How do you apply sunscreen?

Sunscreen should be applied anywhere that is exposed to the sun. It is important to apply sun cream to your face, neck and hair (if it is thinning). Sun cream should be reapplied liberally every two hours. If in doubt, always check the manufacturer's guidelines.

This article contains expert advice from Skincare expert and Facialist, Cecilia Ross.

Hannah James is a Senior Home, Parenting and Lifestyle Product Writer for Yours, specialising in product testing and reviews. As a mother of three, Hannah loves finding clothes that makes her feel fabulous and products that are great for large families.

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