May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and it’s the perfect time to revisit one of the most important—and most overlooked—steps in your skincare routine: sun protection. We talk about SPF all the time, because it’s not just about avoiding sunburn. Daily protection against UV rays helps prevent skin cancer and slows the visible signs of aging.

While our main focus is on skin aging, we can't ignore the serious side of UV exposure. Prolonged and unprotected UV rays don’t just lead to wrinkles and dark spots—it can also increase your risk of developing skin cancer and freckles or age spots.

This month is a great reminder to protect your skin daily and schedule your annual skin check with a dermatologist. Catching anything early makes all the difference, and SPF plays a big role in prevention.

We’ve explored the basics of SPF in a previous post, so today we’re going deeper into why UV exposure matters, how it affects your skin over time, what photoaging is, and what you can do to protect, repair, and rejuvenate your skin starting now.

How sun exposure ages your skin

Aging is something that happens naturally over time, but there are also things that speed it up, including too much sun exposure. As we get older, our skin slowly starts producing less collagen (the protein that keeps skin firm and plump) and less elastin (which gives skin that bouncy, flexible feel).

Skin also holds onto less moisture, and cell turnover slows down, so everything starts to look and feel a bit drier and duller. That part’s normal. But what really speeds things up is unprotected sun exposure. But here’s the good news: we can slow it down just by protecting our skin from the sun every day.

What is photoaging, and how does it happen?

When we talk about sun damaged skin, what we’re really talking about is something called photoaging. That’s the visible change in your skin caused by repeated UV exposure over time. And get this—up to 90% of visible premature aging comes from UV damage. Yes, 90%! Can you believe that?

That includes fine lines, dullness, sun spots on skin, uneven tone, sagging, and that thin, crepey texture we all try to avoid. UVA and UVB rays create oxidative stress in the skin, damaging your DNA and breaking down collagen and elastin. The problem is, you don’t always see it right away. It builds up quietly and shows up later.

What are the visible signs of sun-induced aging?

Fine lines and wrinkles
Skin that starts to sag or feel less firm
Dark spots, freckles or age spots, and uneven tone
Dull, dry texture
Crepey skin
Thin skin that bruises more easily

If you spend a lot of time outdoors, love a sun tan, live somewhere sunny, or have fair skin, you’re more likely to see signs of photoaging—but no one is totally immune.

Can you reverse or slow down photoaging?

There’s no magic fix for sun damaged skin, but there’s a lot you can do to visibly improve the skin and prevent things from getting worse. The key is consistency—a strong daily routine combined with professional treatments that target what your skin actually needs.

Let’s start with what’s happening in the skin. Too much sun exposure breaks down collagen, slows cell turnover, weakens the skin barrier, and causes hyperpigmentation, dullness, and inflammation. So when we treat sun-damaged skin or aging skin, we’re focusing on rebuilding that foundation—boosting collagen, strengthening the barrier, evening out tone, and reintroducing moisture and elasticity.

What does SPF really protect against?

A good broad-spectrum sunscreen protects your skin from both UVA and UVB rays, and it really is your first line of defense against premature aging and skin cancer.

We usually recommend SPF 30 or higher because SPF 30 filters out about 97% of UVB rays, while SPF 50 filters about 98%. So yes, higher SPF gives you a little more coverage but not a dramatic difference. What matters more is how generously you apply it and whether you’re reapplying it throughout the day.

So instead of stressing over the number, focus on consistency. Are you applying enough (1/4 of a teaspoon)? Are you reapplying when you’re outside for hours (every two hours)? Are you missing areas like your neck, chest, ears, or hands? Because those age too, and they often show signs of sun damage faster than your face.

For summer, we love the Circadia Light Day Broad Spectrum Sunscreen. It’s lightweight enough to be used as a stand-alone moisturizer, which makes it a client favorite—especially in warmer months. It’s also packed with antioxidants to help protect the skin from environmental stress.

For those who prefer a physical sunscreen, don’t mind a slightly richer texture, or have drier skin, the Extreme Protect Broad Spectrum SPF 30 is a great option. It’s antioxidant-rich and offers excellent hydration along with broad-spectrum protection.

How does sunscreen protect your skin?

Sunscreen protects your skin by limiting how much ultraviolet (UV) radiation reaches your skin. UVB rays damage the outer layers, causing sunburn and increasing the risk of skin cancer, while UVA rays go deeper, accelerating collagen breakdown and visible aging.

It either reflects or absorbs these rays before they can penetrate the skin and harm your cells. By wearing a broad-spectrum SPF daily, you help preserve your skin’s structure, prevent long-term damage, and reduce the risk of skin cancer and signs of premature aging.

What does the SPF number mean?

The SPF number tells you how much protection a sunscreen provides against UVB rays, the ones that cause sunburn and contribute to skin cancer. It measures how long your skin can be exposed to the sun before burning compared to unprotected skin.

Not sure if you knew this, but it’s really important: SPF doesn’t measure UVA protection—and UVA rays are the ones that actually cause most of the visible aging, like wrinkles, sagging, and sunspots. So always make sure your sunscreen is labeled broad-spectrum to protect against both UVA and UVB rays.

Is a higher SPF always better?

It’s a common assumption that SPF 100 must be dramatically better than SPF 30—but the truth is, the difference is minimal. SPF 30 blocks about 97% of UVB rays, while SPF 50 blocks 98%, and SPF 100 blocks about 99%. Beyond SPF 30, what really matters is applying the product generously and reapplying regularly, especially if you're sweating, swimming, or spending long hours in the sun.

Higher SPF can also give a false sense of security, leading people to skip reapplication or stay in the sun too long. Think of SPF 30 as the sweet spot—it gives you excellent protection without encouraging overexposure.

So rather than focusing on the number alone, look for broad-spectrum coverage, a formula you enjoy wearing, and make sure you’re using enough. A sunscreen you actually like—and will reapply—is always going to perform better than a high SPF one you can’t stand.

How to protect your skin from the effects of photoaging

Here’s how you can protect your skin from harmful UVA/UVB rays and the effects of photoaging:

1. Incorporate a daily sun protection routine

Here’s what we recommend every day, no matter the season:

SPF 30 or higher, applied every single morning
A good vitamin C serum to fight free radicals and support collagen
Sunglasses, a hat, or long sleeves when possible
Avoid direct sun between 10 AM and 4 PM when you can

We always pair sunscreen with a vitamin C serum—and not just because we love both. They actually work better together. This is because SPF protects your skin from UV rays, while vitamin C helps protect your skin from oxidative stress—the damage caused by free radicals from sun, pollution, and even stress.

Think of vitamin C as your internal shield and SPF as your external one. When used together, they help prevent hyperpigmentation, slow down collagen breakdown, and keep your skin brighter and stronger over time.

2. Use skincare ingredients that help combat photoaging

This is where ingredients really matter. Some of the most effective ones include:

Vitamin A (Retinol) speeds up cell turnover, strengthens the skin, and supports collagen.
Vitamin C brightens, protects against free radical damage, and helps improve hyperpigmentation.
Peptides signal your skin to produce more collagen and elastin.
Niacinamide helps with pigmentation, redness, and barrier repair.
Tranexamic acid, arbutin, azelaic acid all help fade discoloration over time.
Exosomes support skin regeneration and repair at a cellular level.
Hyaluronic acid and ceramides restore hydration and keep the skin barrier healthy.

But none of these ingredients work if you’re only using them once in a while. That’s why we always say: your daily skincare is where real change starts.

3. Professional skincare treatments to prevent signs of photoaging

woman in a hat at the beach, why sun protection matters — We’re big believers in Vitamin A. We love the Environ philosophy, which uses a step-up system to help your skin gradually build tolerance without irritation. Vitamin A is essential for healthy skin—it helps normalize everything from oil production to pigmentation and is one of the most powerful tools for sun damage repair and signs of aging.

If you’re new to it, the AVST range is where most people begin. It allows your skin to slowly adjust to increasing levels of Vitamin A.

For those looking for something more advanced, the C-Quence range takes it to the next level with added peptides and antioxidants to actively target aging skin and photoaging. It’s not a quick fix—it’s a long-term investment in your skin’s health and strength.

Bespoke facial

Of course, professional treatments amplify what you're doing at home. Our Bespoke Facial can include LED light therapy, peels, and advanced hydration—whatever your skin needs that day. In the colder months, we love a series of light peels to help fade sun spots on skin and brighten overall tone. These are among the best treatments for sunspots on the face when combined with homecare.

CoolJet plasma treatments

And one of our most exciting treatments right now is CoolJet plasma treatment. It works by creating tiny microchannels in the skin while stimulating fibroblasts—the cells that produce collagen and elastin. We use it to infuse active ingredients like exosomes, which help reverse sun damage, brighten, and strengthen the skin from within. And the best part? It’s non-invasive, with no downtime, and safe to do year-round.

Questions about skin care and SPF? Set up a consultation at JE’DERM!

At JE’DERM Skin Atelier, we’re passionate about supporting skin health through advanced treatments and methods safe for all skin types. We’re here to help you combat signs and symptoms of photoaging, determine the best approaches to sun protection, and choose the best SPF skincare products that nourish your skin. Give us a call or book your appointment today!

The #1 Cause of Skin Aging: Why Sun Protection and SPF Matter

How sun exposure ages your skin

What is photoaging, and how does it happen?