In this episode, we're breaking down why sunscreen isn't just "the anti-aging step" — it's the step that makes every other step in your routine actually worth doing. If those UV rays keep undoing your progress, it doesn't matter how fancy your serum is.
🧪 Studies + sources referenced
- The 80–90% photoaging statistic — Flament et al., Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology (2013), which quantified sun damage percentage in facial aging. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3790843/)
- The twin study — Guyuron et al., Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (2009), "Factors Contributing to the Facial Aging of Identical Twins."(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19337100/)
- The sunscreen-absorption study I mentioned — Matta et al., JAMA (2019), (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2733085)
- The follow-up absorption study — Matta et al., JAMA (2020), (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2759002)
🧴 What I personally use + recommend
- My everyday sunscreen: InnBeauty Project Mineral Sun Glow (PA+++, tinted to counteract white cast, three shades)
- Body sunscreen I actually enjoy: Hempz SPF 30 and SPF 50 body lotions (smells like their regular lotions, not like sunscreen)
- Kids' sunscreen sticks: Skin1004 and Cell Fusion C sticks — easy enough for my five- and eight-year-old to apply themselves
- Touch-up for oily skin: Naked Sundays setting spray SPF 30
🔗 Resources on the new site
If you haven't popped over to yourestieella.com yet, here's what's there:
- FREE Skin Profile Quiz — 13 questions, 8 profiles, instant results
- FREE Monthly Skin Tracker App — log your skin month to month, track your skin score, photos, routines, habits, products that worked and didn't
- The Sunscreen Database — 100+ sunscreens, filterable by skin concern, mineral/chemical, reef safe, pregnancy safe, niacinamide free, fungal acne safe, and more
- The Peptide Database — 80+ peptide products with full ingredient analysis
- Skincare Made Simple: The Course — 66 self-paced lessons to help you cut through the noise and build a skincare routine that will actually show results
And if you have someone in your life who still isn't wearing one — send this their way. You care about them. I care about them. We just want everyone protected.
Get your annual skin check. Reapply when you're outside. Don't forget your ears.
