Liz Earle

So the skin is very clever.

Nature rarely makes mistakes and we have evolved to live under the sun.

And if we get that early morning light signal, it's really important for creating healthier, more resilient, stronger skin and also controlling things like melanin production.

And even doing things like evening out pigmentation and issues like that, because a lot of the dermatologists working in this area now are saying that issues like pigmentation are caused by the disruption of melanin.

It's not necessarily just being out in the sun.

It's disrupted signaling that's causing it.

And if we can get the fibroblasts and the mitochondria in our cells to signal better, then we become better adapted to being in the sun, which is actually really important.

Now, this isn't about going out and getting a suntan.

It's not about overdoing it.

It's never about burning or aggressing the skin.

But it is about having a more nuanced slash educated or informed view of what's actually happening with sunlight.

And actually, on another level, there's also growing discussion around the effects of overusing sunscreens, particularly the synthetic chemical sunscreens on the skin's microbiome, because some research is suggesting that heavy use or constant use can disrupt the balance of the skin's microbial ecosystem.

And this can potentially affect immune signalling in the skin, which could then contribute to inflammatory conditions, including things like perioral dermatitis, which we're seeing much more frequently.

So my general approach here really is contextual.

I think a little natural daylight exposure early in the day can be beneficial.

But if you're spending time in strong sun, especially midday or on holiday, then a dedicated sunscreen could make sense.

So generally, I think what you're doing is excellent.

You just might like to revisit the moisturiser question.

And I think you've got a solid foundation there for skincare.

Maybe think about throwing in a facial oil.