Dr Rozina Ali is a multi-award-winning London-based plastic and cosmetic surgeon celebrated for her precision, artistry, and evidence-based approach to aesthetic medicine. With more than 30 years of experience in reconstructive and cosmetic surgery, she views skin not just as a surface, but as a living, breathing organ that reflects both our internal health and our external environment. In this article, she explains why sunscreen remains the most powerful anti-ageing tool in every season, and how she helps her patients prevent and reverse the signs of sun damage with intelligent daily care and advanced non-surgical treatments.
As winter draws in and the days grow shorter, many people assume that sunscreen is something to pack away with their summer wardrobe. It’s a natural misconception, the sun feels weaker, the skies are grey, and the chill in the air makes us forget that ultraviolet radiation is still all around us. But as I remind my patients, sun protection is not seasonal. It’s the single most important investment you can make in the long-term health and beauty of your skin.
When my patients ask me what my best advice is for maintaining a youthful, radiant complexion, my answer is always prevention. That starts with sunscreen. UVA and UVB rays penetrate cloud cover and even glass, meaning your skin is exposed to them every day of the year. While UVB causes sunburn, it’s the deeper-penetrating UVA rays that quietly break down collagen and elastin, the structural proteins that give the skin its firmness and resilience. Over time, this leads to fine lines, pigmentation, uneven texture, and a loss of elasticity: the visible signs of premature ageing.
Winter conditions can make matters worse. Cold, dry air and central heating dehydrate the skin, compromising its natural barrier and making it more sensitive to UV damage. A broad- spectrum SPF 30 or higher not only protects against these harmful rays but also helps preserve essential moisture and maintain a supple, healthy complexion.
Ageing, of course, is entirely natural, but photoaging is preventable, and it’s also reversible to a degree. For those already experiencing the effects of sun exposure, there are now highly effective, non-surgical treatments that can help restore vitality and smoothness to the skin. Mesotherapy, for instance, infuses revitalising ingredients directly into the skin’s middle layers, providing deep hydration and renewal where it’s most needed.
Microneedling is another transformative treatment, stimulating collagen production to improve tone, texture, and overall luminosity. Both are subtle yet powerful ways to refresh the skin without altering your natural appearance. For those seeking gentle enhancement, injectable treatments such as anti-wrinkle injections and dermal fillers can also offer beautifully balanced results. The cooler months are ideal for these treatments, recovery is more comfortable, and reduced UV exposure supports optimal healing. Each treatment plan I design is completely individual, guided by facial anatomy and harmony, to ensure results that are elegant, natural, and restorative.
At home, maintaining your results, and protecting your skin’s integrity, is essential. I recommend a curated selection of medical-grade skincare, including The Skin Diary, Mesoestetic and EXO|E, which combine intelligent formulations with proven efficacy. One of my personal favourites is The Everything Day Cream and its bed-fellow (quite literally), Night Repair Therapy, both from The Skin Diary – lightweight, high-performance products that not only hydrate but actively help repair UV damage through DNA repair enzymes, antioxidants, and an advanced SPF 50 | PA++++. For convenient top-ups during the day, Colorescience’s SPF 50 mineral brush offers elegant, portable protection against UVA, UVB – an effortless way to keep skin safe, fresh, and luminous wherever you are.
Sunscreen is not a summer accessory; it’s your year-round shield against premature ageing. Combined with tailored professional treatments and a consistent homecare regime, it forms the foundation of long-term skin health. Protect by day, repair by night, and your skin will reward you with strength, clarity, and a natural, confident glow that lasts through every season.
