Daily skincare - Sunscreen vs Anti-oxidants

Skincare used to be so simple. You washed your face with soap, slapped on some moisturiser and only wore suncream at the beach or on holidays - SPF15 if you really didn't want to get a sunburn, and SPF4 or 8 if you wanted a tan. Oh how innocent we all were, eh?

Nowadays, however, choosing your daily moisturiser means negotiating a minefield of baffling options. We all know that the ideal is to get something that will provide us with protection from the ageing effects of the sun and other environmental factors, but it's not as simple as picking up a cream labelled SPF15. Do you want a moisturiser with sunscreen, or a full sunscreen? Do you want something more "natural" with anti-oxidants instead? If you're a bit lost over what it all means, read on...

For basic protection, you really do need to be using a sunscreen. There are two things to consider here - UVA protection (UVA rays are present all year round, can pass through glass and penetrate deep into the skin, contributing to skin ageing through elastin breakdown) and UVB protection (UVB rays are more intense in summer and cause the skin to tan and burn). The SPF number on a product indicates your protection against UVB, while UVA protection can be indicated in different ways, such as PPD or the Boots star rating. Confusingly, while SPF30 is recommended as the optimal daily level of UVB protection, there is no standard for UVA, though EU guidelines recommends a ratio of at least 1:3 for UVA to UVB protection. If in doubt, make sure the label states that the sunscreen provides broad-spectrum coverage.

Readily available brands such as La Roche-Posay and Vichy make excellent broad-spectrum sunscreens, as well as daily moisturisers which include sunscreen. I like Vichy Aqualia UV for this time of year. The SPF15 is adequate for wintery days, while the PPD18 ensures good UVA coverage.

While sunscreen is really a must if you want protection against ageing, anti-oxidants are a great addition to the mix. Anti-oxidants provide a layer of protection against the breakdown of collagen and elastin by UV rays. They are also great protection against the free radicals caused by pollution and cigarette smoke, neutralising them before they can do damage to the skin. Look for products with ingredients such as coenzyme Q10, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, green tea or resveratrol. A mix of different anti-oxidants is also believed to be more beneficial than a high concentration of one particular type.

To incorporate both anti-oxidants and sunscreen into your routine, look for a moisturiser which contains both, or use an antioxidant serum underneath your daily sunscreen. I am currently using Nude Skincare's Advanced Smoothing Complex serum, which is very good, but also pricey. Try Olay and Nivea for well-priced moisturisers with anti-oxidants and sunscreen included.