I’m an anti-aging expert and you should always pay attention to a key symbol on your sun cream to avoid getting burnt

An anti-ageing expert has warned people of the dangers of not paying attention to the expiry date of their sunscreen.

Liz Wadden, from Nova Scotia, went viral on TikTok earlier this week when she urged her 78,800 followers to take note of the symbol on the back of their sunscreen bottles.

The social media star – who shares her ‘facial yoga’ techniques to look young – reminded her audience to write the expiration date on the back of their sunscreen bottles when they first open them.

Typically, sunscreens can be used for up to a year after opening, but their effectiveness varies from brand to brand.

Usually the bottle has a picture of a jar with the lid off and next to it is written ‘6M’, ’12M’ or ’24M’, which indicates how long the bottle will last.

Liz Wadden, from Nova Scotia, went viral on TikTok earlier this week when she called on her 78,800 followers to take note of the symbol on the back of their sunscreen bottles. Stock image

Liz said in her TikTok caption: ‘Over time, the active ingredients in sunscreen can break down, making it less effective at protecting your skin from harmful UV rays.’

She then noted how the consistency can change over time, which can also make the product less effective.

Liz added: ‘Expired sunscreen can change texture and become clumpy or runny, meaning it doesn’t apply evenly to your skin.’

Thirdly, the expert highlighted how outdated sunscreen can also cause skin irritation and urged her followers to ‘better to be safe than sorry’.

Finally, Liz also reminded followers of the optimal storage conditions for sunscreen.

She continued: ‘Heat and sunlight can accelerate the breakdown of sunscreen ingredients, so even if they are not expired, improper storage can reduce their effectiveness.’

It comes as Dr. Elizabeth Blakeway-Manning, a dermatologist in Yorkshire and the Melanoma Fund’s medical ambassador, shared her top tips for staying safe outdoors with MailOnline.

Cancer Research UK says the number of skin cancers has more than doubled since the 1990s, and sun exposure is the culprit in nine out of 10 cases.

Dr. Elizabeth Blakeway-Manning, consultant dermatologist in Yorkshire and medical ambassador for the Melanoma Fund, shared her top tips for staying safe outdoors with MailOnline

There are two broad groups of skin cancer: melanoma, which arises from the pigment-producing cells in the skin known as melanocytes, and non-melanoma skin cancer, which arises mainly from keratinocytes, the main cell type in the epidermis or upper layer. of skin…

Melanoma is the much deadlier type and is responsible for almost three times as many deaths annually from non-melanomas.

In total, more than 3,000 people will die from skin cancer every year in Britain, while in the US almost 10,000 people will lose their lives to the disease every year.

Too much UV radiation from the sun or tanning beds can damage the DNA in the skin cells, causing them to grow uncontrollably and lead to skin cancer.

Exposure to UV rays can also cause premature aging of the skin, including wrinkles, age spots and sagging, according to skin cancer charity the Melanoma Fund.

But while sunscreen is essential for UV protection, there are other ways to protect your skin from the rays.

Clothing is the most important protection

Your first line of defense should be clothing – and you should make sure you apply sunscreen to any exposed areas.

Clothing absorbs or blocks harmful UV rays

But as the day warms up, it’s a “natural impulse to take off clothes,” the experts said.

This can mean that the skin remains exposed, making it important to apply cream to these areas.

Dr. Blakeway-Manning, who is also a consultant dermatologist at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, also recommends always wearing a hat, such as one with a legionnaire’s flap at the back or a wide brim.

This is because your forehead, scalp and ears are particularly vulnerable.

Shade protects against UV rays

For those who prefer the heat, the shade offers a welcome relief.

But it is also a good way to give your skin a break from the powerful UV rays.

The experts say that shade, along with clothing, is the best UV protection.

If shade is difficult to find, they recommend using temporary structures such as gazebos, tarps or umbrellas.

The best sunscreen is broad spectrum SPF30+, non-greasy

Broad-spectrum sunscreen protects you against both types of harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays (UVA and UVB).

“As a parent, set a good example and apply it to your skin as well as theirs,” says Michelle Baker, CEO of the Melanoma Fund.

Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before going outside so it has time to absorb and dry. This also prevents it from getting into your eyes if you start to sweat.

It’s also important to pay special attention to your ears and nose – areas that many people forget.

“If you use technical protective equipment, be sure to apply a non-greasy sunscreen beforehand to avoid compromising the product’s effectiveness,” the experts added.

Check that your sunscreen is up to date

Sunscreens have an expiration date.

The expiration date is printed on the outside of the package, but moisture, high temperatures, direct sunlight and possible contamination can accelerate decomposition, so try to use newly purchased sunscreen every year.

It is recommended to write the first use date on the bottle to remind yourself how long it has been open.

Always reapply sunscreen, even once a day

It is recommended to reapply all types of sunscreen every two hours, even for once-a-day formulas.

The experts claimed this is because no matter how carefully you apply it, parts of the body are likely to be missed – leaving certain areas of the skin vulnerable all day.

Perspiration, water, and wiping away dirt can all strip away even a once-a-day product, especially if you’re doing intense outdoor activities.

Wear light fabrics with a tight weave

Wearing light clothing with a tight weave is best in the sun, according to Dr. Blakeway-Manning and Ms. Baker.

Tightly woven fabrics allow less UV rays to pass through.

In addition, many garments, especially sportswear intended to be worn outdoors, have a labeled UV protection factor (UPF), so this is worth paying attention to.

Don’t be surprised by stingrays

Many people get sunburns because they get caught out in the weather, the experts said.

You can often start an activity early in the morning if the weather is mild, but it will then be a hot day. This can then result in sunburn, they claimed.

In addition, it is possible to get sunburned on cloudy days. This is because clouds offer little protection against UV radiation.

To find out if sun protection is needed, you can consult the UV index, which can be found on weather websites.

The experts recommend using sun protection if the UV value is only 3 or higher.

Never use tanning beds

Many people want to tan their skin, whether through tanning beds or by pretending to do so.

But tanning beds, tanning beds and tanning beds emit high-intensity UV light for the purpose of getting a quick tan; Tanning is the skin’s response to damage from too much exposure to UV radiation. This can increase the risk of developing skin cancer.

Signs of skin damage are not always obvious for up to twenty years.

Skin cancer usually starts with a new or changing skin spot or mole, which may later crust or bleed.

Dr. Blakeway-Manning and Ms Baker have stressed that there is no such thing as a healthy UV-induced tan, but ‘fake it and never use a sunbed. It’s also important to remember that fake tan doesn’t protect you from UV rays and it’s still important to protect yourself from the sun.’

Sun exposure is necessary for vitamin D

Despite the need to protect your skin from the rays, it can also provide some benefits.

We know that we produce most of our vitamin D when our skin is exposed to the sun’s UV rays. Vitamin D plays an important role in bone health.

Vitamin D is made when the sun’s ultraviolet B rays (UVB) interact with a provitamin in the skin called 7-DHC.

This system is very efficient and a relatively short exposure will stimulate the production of vitamin D. However, the amount of UV an individual absorbs from the sun depends on biological, environmental and behavioral factors, so when it comes to sun exposure and vitamin D, there is certainly no one rule that applies to all.

Individuals with risk factors for skin cancer and/or a history of skin cancer would certainly be advised to prioritize reducing their UV exposure and supplementing with vitamin D, especially if vitamin D levels are known to be inadequate.

In fact, the NHS advice is that everyone should consider taking a supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D daily in autumn and winter.