Postimees · My Dream Self (Unistuste Mina) · 2026
Sunscreen – your number one companion in fighting skin ageing
English translation of the original Estonian article. Original headline: Päikesekaitsekreem – number üks kaaslane naha vananemisega võitlemisel
See the original design in the magazineThe best aesthetic result in keeping facial skin youthful does not come from invasive methods. Good results come above all from consistent prevention and conscious care. Using SPF creams is one of the most important elements in preventing rapid skin ageing.
Sunscreen is a cosmetic product designed to protect the skin from the harmful effects of the sun's ultraviolet radiation (UV radiation). SPF (Sun Protection Factor) shows how long you can safely stay in the sun compared with the time without cream. For example, with SPF 15 you can stay in the sun 15 times longer before the skin starts to redden.
According to many cosmetologists and dermatologists, people's skin health problems start precisely with using the wrong SPF cream or, often, not using it at all. Then they start wanting to make their facial skin more youthful with invasive methods.
The best way to keep facial skin youthful is prevention
UV radiation from the sun plays an important role in the survival of our planet and humankind, but it seriously damages the skin and is one of the main causes of wrinkles. "Radiation breaks down the skin's collagen and elastin, which keep the skin youthful and elastic. Long-term exposure to the sun without UV protection noticeably accelerates skin ageing, making it drier, rougher and more wrinkled regardless of age," explains Gaidi Äkke, a cosmetologist with many years of experience at Ella Beaute Salon.
UV radiation also promotes pigment spots, especially at an older age when pigment is no longer distributed so evenly in the skin. "For years now, my daily skincare routine has included a cream with SPF 30 or higher – all year round. Nor should you spend your holiday lying on the beach in direct sun from morning to evening," Äkke shares her experience, adding: "The good news is that it's never too late to start protecting your skin! Even existing sun damage can be reduced if you take dedicated care of your skin and, most importantly, keep it constantly moisturised."
A three-level system
Royal Grace Beauty Clinic explains that, from the perspective of plastic surgery, everything works as one system based on three levels:
SPF, or sun protection: the most important level and essentially the main anti-ageing "product", because it protects the skin from daily UV damage.
Daily skincare: maintains and restores skin quality, and without consistent home care even professional procedures will give neither lasting nor maximum results.
Non-surgical procedures: they don't stop ageing, but they help slow it down, improve skin quality and support natural regeneration processes.
Sun protection in the Estonian climate and everyday life
In the Estonian climate, SPF 30 is the minimum mainly from spring to autumn, when UV radiation is stronger and the sun more active. However, UV radiation doesn't disappear in winter either – snow and light surfaces can even reflect it, which is why it is highly advisable to use sun protection all year round.
How to combine SPF with other products?
In skincare, it's important to choose the right products:
Vitamin C: works well in the morning together with SPF, as it supports the skin's defences and helps reduce oxidative stress.
Retinol: makes the skin more sensitive to the sun, so SPF is always needed during the day.
One of the most common mistakes is using too many different products at once without considering the skin's natural protective barrier, Royal Grace Beauty Clinic advises. This can actually throw the skin off balance. Sensible care means consistency, not excessive layering of products.
The key to beautiful skin is combining the right skincare products
At Royal Grace Beauty Clinic, the cosmetic products used both in procedures and in home care are carefully selected. That is why the range includes exactly those SPF products that support the overall condition of the skin.
A sunscreen must be effective and comfortable so that it can be used every day without putting extra strain on the skin. Surgery is rather the last step when other methods no longer give the desired result. Consistent and conscious use of sunscreen, however, is an investment that keeps the skin healthy and youthful in the long term.
An important note: SPF protects mainly against burning (UVB). To protect the skin also against damage to the deeper layers and ageing (UVA), the product must be labelled "Broad Spectrum" or carry the UVA mark (usually in a circle).