For the first time, science proves that daily sunscreen use significantly slows skin aging, even in middle-aged men and women. Sunscreen and antioxidants have long been advocated to prevent skin aging, but to date, there has been no scientific evidence of their effectiveness.
Researchers measured photo-aging of 903 participants younger than 55 to determine whether regular use of sunscreen would slow skin aging compared with discretionary application. At the same time, researchers tested the anti-aging effects of beta-carotene supplements compared to placebo.
Study participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups: daily use of broad-spectrum sunscreen and 30 mg of beta-carotene supplementation; daily use of sunscreen and placebo; discretionary use of sunscreen and 30 mg of beta-carotene supplementation; and discretionary use of sunscreen and placebo.
After four years, participants in the daily sunscreen group showed 24 percent less skin aging than those in the discretionary group. The skin-saving effect of sunscreen was observed in all daily-use participants, regardless of age. No difference in skin aging was shown with daily beta-carotene supplementation compared with placebo.