Suncare is Skincare

Sun’s out, skin’s out! It’s summertime, and most of us are enjoying the warm rays of the summer sun. Have you stopped to think about your skincare during the summertime?

One of the most important things you can do for your body is to take good care of your skin. At the top of the list of things you should be doing, sun care is number one. Especially during the warmer months when the sun’s rays are constantly beating on you. The amount of damage the sun can do to your skin is out of this world.

Did you know that research shows that over 80% of our skin’s aging is caused by UV exposure? UV stands for Ultraviolet, and from exposure to the ultraviolet rays the sun sends down, our skin is exposed to UV radiation on a daily basis. With the continual damage the sun causes, we start to see dark spots, wrinkles, and fine lines as a result. Not to mention the many other damaging effects the sun has like cancer and sunburn.

There is no such thing as a healthy tan. The skin actually darkens as a shield against UV radiation as a natural defense to protect our bodies. Sun rays can really cause issues to our skin as we age and the damage goes on over the years.

Types of Sun Damage:

• Sunburn – Most of us have experienced a sunburn when we forget the sunscreen on occasion. A lot of exposure to UV radiation kills our cells on the top layer of the skin, and if there are some cells that survive, they are severely damaged. This appears shortly after exposure and is most intense in the first 8 to 48 hours. 
• The Wrinkle Factor – There are several factors that cause aging in the skin. UVB makes the layers of our skin thicken and UVA penetrates deeper into our skin, causing the skin to lose elasticity. Another downfall from sun exposure is that it dries out the skin, making it leathery and coarse. 
• Dark Spots – Another sign of aging that the sun causes is dark spots on the face. This is caused by the overproduction of melanin.
• Skin Cancer – There are many different kinds of skin cancers that exposure to the sun can cause. From Melanoma to Basil Cell carcinoma, there are many different kinds of cancer that we want to avoid by protecting ourselves from the sun.  

When talking about sun care and sun damage, you’ll hear 3 different kinds of UV radiation. It’s helpful to understand which is which so you know how to best protect yourself.

1. UVC rays. These are the least harmful because they are the shortest rays that the sun puts out. These are mainly emitted from man-made sources like mercury lamps and some tanning beds. 
2. UVB rays. These are the pesky rays that cause your skin to turn red and sunburn. They damage the top layers of the skin, are strongly linked to cancer, and wreak havoc on the skin’s DNA. These are high-intensity rays so they can burn your unprotected skin in as little as 15 minutes. 
3. UVA rays. These go past the first layer of skin and penetrate the second layer. They are the most destructive for early aging and wrinkles. Something important to know about UVA rays is that they can go through glass and clouds. Even when you’re indoors or it’s a cloudy day, these can damage your skin. 

When should you wear sun protection? 

When it’s bright and sunny outside, it’s a lot easier to remember the sun protection. But what about the gloomy days or the dead of winter? The truth is, sun protection should be worn each and every day.

If you are truly going to be spending the entire day indoors, you may not need sunscreen. However, chances are you’ll be running errands and getting sun exposure while you go from place to place. Those small times of exposure really add up. It’s recommended to wear sunscreen at all times so you are always safe from the suns damage without thinking about it.

Is there a magic number for SPF? 

SPF stands for sun protection factor and it’s referring to the protection from UVB rays that the product provides. The number given is based on the time it takes for UVB rays to penetrate through the sunscreen, compared to not having sunscreen on at all. The higher the SPF, the higher the protection your skin is getting. Medium protection is considered to be SPF 15-29 and high protection is considered to be SPF 30-49.

How long does SPF last? 

Certain products can stay on with water and sweat, but only for a short time. If you are active in water activities or something that will cause your sunscreen to come off quicker, make sure you are reapplying about every hour. This is recommended even for those products that are waterproof or water-resistant.

Now that we know how much havoc the dear old sun can cause and the recommendations for using sunscreen, it’s crucial to find the best sun care products that keep you safe and well protected. LaLa Daisy has no shortage of products to love but these brands will help you reshape the way you approach sun care.

Colorescience

Colorescience is known for its professional skincare line. Products like the calming perfector make it easy to apply makeup coverage while still protecting your skin from the harmful UV rays. These products are mineral-based, so you’ll get a natural and gentle product that will help smooth out skin tones while not allowing the sun to wreak havoc on your skin.

To go a step further, Colorescience even has a pigment perfector that will give your skin SPF 50 while helping cover damage that’s already been done to your skin. Find many other products offered by Colorescience here. Most will contain SPF.

Image Skincare

Image skincare is also another great brand that offers a variety of products to help protect you from the sun. With their variety of moisturizers, you know you have a base underneath your makeup keeping your skin safe from damage. A great way to try different options is to order their travel kit, including 4 different advanced skin care products that offer different SPF and may be beneficial for different times of year.

Epionce 

If you are looking for physician strength sun care and skin care, look no further than Epionce. All these products are clinically tested, so you know you are getting something top of the line. These products contain antioxidants so you’ll be able to be protected against free radicals. They have an amazing Ultra Shield lotion that will keep your skin hydrated and offers SPF 50 to keep you safe from UV damage. It’s quick-absorbing and can be worn underneath your makeup to give you the extra protection you need.

Another great option from Epionce is their Active Shield Lotion, which is waterproof so you can wear it for outdoor activities and it’ll stay on your skin. This lotion contains SPF 30 and blocks both UVA and UVB rays.

PCA Skin

Got sensitive skin? PCA is a great brand to go with for those who may need products that are light and gentle. Backed by science and 25 years of formula research, PCA skin creates superior products for all skin types.

For sun care, PCA makes a Skin Perfecting sunscreen that acts as both a moisturizer as well as sunscreen. It’s really lightweight so it doesn’t irritate the skin. It also uses all-natural ingredients and is tailored to repair and prevent damage to the skin.

GLO Skin

GLO Skin and Beauty is a reputable brand that delivers high-quality, innovative products giving you the best products for you skin. GLO Skin creates amazing products that will impress over and over again.

GLO Skin Beauty Oil Free SPF 40+ Sunscreen nourishes your facial skin while giving you SPF 40+ coverage while you’re out in the sun. This is a bestselling formula and is packed full of vitamins like B5 and E and minerals so it’s gentle and healthy for your skin. It also contains Zinc oxide which is known to block UVA and UVB rays. It’s perfect for applying underneath your makeup.

These brands and products will help keep your skin safe from the harmful damage that the sun causes. Make sure to shop for your favorite brands and high-end products at LaLa Daisy to give your skin the best sun care possible.