The sun has a lot to answer for. Sure, it’s lovely to feel the warmth of the sun’s rays on your skin. And who are we to argue that a certain amount of sunlight can offer powerful mental health benefits? But here’s the thing, the sun is the number one cause of external skin aging. In fact, it beats almost everything else (pollution, smoking, an unhealthy lifestyle) combined, contributing to between 80 and 90 percent of all those lines, wrinkles, and dark spots you know and probably hate. Not only that, but according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, most skin cancers are also caused by UV light, whether through exposure to the sun or, gasp, from the use of indoor tanning devices.
We hate to be the voice of doom and gloom, but these are important things to know because they affect the health of your skin and your entire being. And we’d prefer you to stay fit and healthy for as long as possible.
On that note, here are three simple skincare tips to ensure you’re doing everything you can to shield yourself from UV radiation and protect your skin from short - as well as long-term damage.
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Stay Out Of Harm’s Way
The obvious route to keeping your skin safe from the sun is to avoid it. Now, we’re not suggesting you never leave the house again, but if you’re planning a day at the beach or park wear a wide-brimmed hat, UV-protective sunglasses, and long, cotton clothes to keep you cool and protect your limbs. Also, look for some dense shade to sit under or take an umbrella with you.
Of course, shade won’t shield you from every bit of UV radiation because those rays can still bounce off reflective surfaces like sand, water, and concrete. But still, it’s way better than frying your skin in direct sunlight.
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Apply SPF All Year Round
When it comes to skin damage, there are two types of UV radiation to be concerned with UVA and UVB. UVA rays are the ones that penetrate deep into your skin where they generate long-term damage like fine lines and wrinkles. On the other hand, UVB rays are shorter and primarily cause sunburn. Think ‘a’ for aging and ‘b’ for burning. Consequently, both play their part in skin cancer.
The point here is that UVA rays can penetrate through clouds, which means they’re not only present on sunny days but every day of the year – rain or shine. So, while you’re highly unlikely to get burned on cloudy days, your skin will still feel the underlying wrath of UVA radiation.
Thankfully, the solution is simple. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily (no exceptions) to all exposed areas of your skin. Anything above SPF 30 is ideal.
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Make Topical Antioxidants Your BFFs
An antioxidant serum is another great weapon to include in your daily skincare regime. Without getting too technical, sun exposure causes your skin to produce pesky little compounds called free radicals. What are free radicals? Bad news, that’s what. They break down important proteins in your skin which are the foundation for a strong, supple, and youthful-looking complexion. The better news is that antioxidants neutralize these free radicals before they get a chance to do a number on your skin. This limits harm and allows your skin to look its absolute best for as long as possible.
Two of the most researched antioxidants in skincare are vitamins C and E – both of which you’ll find in our Whole Repair Serum. Apply this every day under your sunscreen to battle UV radiation from all angles.
You see, we told you it was simple.
