Why Sunscreen Matters at Every Age: A Lesson I’ve Learned as an Esthetician, Founder, and Mom

By Jamie Ortiz, Espieve

After more than 24 years as a licensed esthetician, I’ve looked at thousands of faces. I’ve celebrated healthy, glowing skin with my clients, and I’ve also helped many navigate the effects of years of unprotected sun exposure. One thing has become incredibly clear: the sun doesn’t discriminate. It affects every generation, every skin type, and every stage of life. Ironically, one of the most powerful anti-aging products isn’t found in a luxury serum or an expensive treatment. It’s sunscreen. My passion for sun protection became deeply personal when my son developed eczema. Like many parents, I searched for a mineral sunscreen that was gentle enough for his sensitive skin, felt good to wear, and didn’t leave him covered in a thick white residue. After trying product after product, I realized what I was looking for simply didn’t exist. That search eventually led me to create Espieve Mineral Sunscreen—not because I set out to start a skincare brand, but because I wanted something I felt confident putting on my own child every single day. What began as a mother’s mission has grown into a brand trusted by families, athletes, and skincare professionals across the country. 

More importantly, it reinforced something I already knew from my years in the treatment room: healthy skin starts with protection. I get it. Childhood: Where Healthy Habits Begin As parents, we spend so much time protecting our children. We buckle seat belts, insist on bike helmets, and remind them to brush their teeth. Sunscreen deserves a place on that same list. Children’s skin is more delicate, and damage from ultraviolet (UV) rays begins long before we can see it. Research has shown that childhood sunburns can significantly increase the risk of developing skin cancer later in life. Rather than making sunscreen something they only wear at the beach, I encourage parents to make it part of the daily routine. Before school. Before soccer practice. Before a day at the park. Those small moments add up over a lifetime. The

Teen Years: Looking Beyond Today’s Skin

Teenagers are often focused on acne, sports, tanning, and spending time outdoors—not wrinkles. I get it. that age, thinking about what your skin will look like in 20 years feels impossible. But as an esthetician, I know that collagen loss, pigmentation, and sun damage begin long before they become visible. Daily sunscreen helps prevent dark spots after breakouts, protects healing skin, and preserves the healthy collagen they’re fortunate to have. The best anti-aging routine actually starts before aging becomes visible. 

Your 20s and 30s: Prevention Is Easier Than Correction

This is often when life gets busy. Careers take off, families grow, outdoor workouts become part of the routine, and vacations become treasured memories. It’s also when sunscreen is most commonly forgotten. Many people begin investing in skincare during these years—vitamin C, retinol, professional facials, and cosmetic treatments. While these products and services can be incredibly beneficial, none of them can fully protect your skin from daily UV exposure. If I could give one piece of skincare advice to every client in their twenties and thirties, it would be this: don’t wait until you see sun damage to start preventing it. 

Your 40s, 50s, and Beyond: It’s Never Too Late

 One of the questions I hear most is, “Is there even a point now? I’ve already damaged my skin.” Absolutely. While sunscreen can’t erase yesterday’s sun exposure, it plays a critical role in preventing tomorrow’s damage. Daily protection helps slow additional collagen breakdown, minimizes new pigmentation, protects skin after cosmetic procedures, and reduces the risk of developing precancerous lesions and skin cancer. I have clients in their sixties and seventies who tell me they wish someone had taught them this decades ago. The good news is that your skin benefits every single day you choose to protect it.

Sunscreen Isn’t Just for Summer 

Living in Southern California, I understand why many people associate sunscreen with beach days. But UV rays don’t take vacations. They pass through clouds. They penetrate windows while you’re driving to work, watching your child’s baseball game, walking the dog, or enjoying coffee on a sunny patio. Sun exposure is cumulative. It’s the everyday moments—not just vacations—that shape the future of our skin. That’s one of the reasons I became so passionate about creating a sunscreen people actually enjoy wearing. The best sunscreen isn’t the one sitting in a bathroom drawer—it’s the one you’ll apply every morning because it feels good on your skin and fits into your daily routine. 

The Greatest Investment You’ll Make Is Your Skin 

I’ve spent my career helping people improve their skin, but if there’s one lesson I hope everyone remembers, it’s this: Healthy skin isn’t about perfection. It’s about protection. Whether you’re applying sunscreen to your toddler before preschool, reminding your teenager before baseball practice, protecting your skin before work, or continuing the habit well into retirement, every application is an investment in your future. Espieve was born from my own family’s need, but the mission has always been much bigger than creating another sunscreen. It’s about helping people understand that sun protection is one of the simplest, most effective acts of self-care we can practice—at every age. As an esthetician, I’ve seen what years of protection can do. As a founder, I’ve dedicated my career to making daily sunscreen easier to embrace. And as a mom, I know the greatest gift we can give the next generation is teaching them that protecting their skin today means caring for their future tomorrow.