Sun and Your Skin: 5 Top Tips

Whatever your age or skin type, you are probably becoming more aware of the need to address UV related skin changes such as dryness, wrinkles, and discoloration. Our four top tips will see you having the smoothest, healthiest skin possible.

1. Prevent: Never underestimate the power of good habits. Stay out of the sun wherever possible, and always (yes, always) wear a broad-spectrum, photostable sunscreen. If you can do only one thing for your skin, make it a habit to use an effective sunscreen on your face, neck and décolleté daily. Our fave product for winter wear is La Roche Posay Hydraphase UV SPF 30. Rich in hyaluronic acid and glycerin, it moisturizes. Additionally, it contains Mexoryl SX and octinoxate to offer broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection.
2. Soothe: People continue to tan and burn, intentionally or unintentionally. When you experience sun damage, your first step is to soothe the skin. Options range from a homemade aloe vera application to a prescribed cortisone cream. The gentler, more natural options are universally applicable. We love La Roche Posay Posthelios After Sun Repair Cream, which contains Karité (shea) butter to cool and soothe the skin. Oral anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen can help too.
3. Moisturize: Tanned or burned skin is automatically dry skin. A product containing a humectant such as hyaluronic acid will attract moisture to the deeper layers of skin. Ideally your moisturizer will be one which prevents further damage –see number 1 above.  Year-round, my go-to product is Impruv Cream, which is ideal for dry and sensitive skin.
4. Fight the free radicals and deep tissue changes: antioxidant ingredients like topical ascorbic acid (vitamin C) allow you to prevent and treat UV damage in one go. I can’t do without apothekari Antioxidant Serum with vitamins C and E.  Also infused with ferulic acid, this potent multitasking serum increases the protection afforded by your sunscreen while boosting collagen production, evening skin tone, and preventing the formation of thymine dimers (DNA mutations), which can lead to skin cancer.  If you add only one ingredient to your skincare regimen this year, this should be the one.