TOP TIPS FOR PREPARING YOUR SKIN FOR THE SUN

TOP TIPS FOR PREPARING YOUR SKIN FOR THE SUN

<p><b>Published April 5, 2023 </b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However vital it may be, sunlight is one of the leading causes of skin aging and can be harmful to the skin. But by taking just a few basic precautions, you can enjoy the benefits while keeping your skin radiant and healthy. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In this article, our experts shed some light on sunlight and explain the importance of exfoliation, moisturizing, and protection. They'll also explain what you need to do to prepare your skin for the sun, including choosing the right creams and treatments to nourish and protect it. With the help of this comprehensive guide, you'll be able to enjoy your summer with full peace of mind.</span></p> <h2><b>WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE’RE EXPOSED TO SUNLIGHT?</b></h2> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sunlight consists of two kinds of </span><b>ultraviolet radiation</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (UVA and UVB) and </span><b>infrared</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> radiation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In moderate doses, it can be beneficial. Sunlight is vital for the synthesis of vitamin D, for example, which is essential for maintaining good bone health. And obviously, it makes you feel good!</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But if exposure to the sun is not kept in check, or if we don't prepare our skin properly for the sun, it can suffer: burns, blemishes, premature </span><a href="https://us.filorga.com/articles/how-to-slow-down-skin-aging"><b>skin aging</b></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> or, in the most severe cases, the development of cancerous melanomas. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So, to properly prepare your skin for the sun and choose the most effective protection, it's essential to understand how ultraviolet and infrared radiation affect the different </span><a href="https://us.filorga.com/articles/understand-the-structure-of-your-skin-to-take-care-of-it"><b>layers of the skin</b></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span><b> </b></p> <h3><b>UVA, AS IN AGING</b></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">UVA radiation penetrates deep into the skin, passing through the epidermis all the way to the dermis, and is </span><b>largely responsible for premature skin aging</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Excessive exposure to this type of UV radiation alters the structure of </span><a href="http://collagen"><b>collagen</b></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">and elastin, which are the proteins that give the skin its tone and suppleness. These two molecules lose their respective properties when altered, making the skin less supple and inviting wrinkles to develop. On top of that, UVA radiation generates </span><a href="https://us.filorga.com/articles/oxidative-stress-the-skin-s-nemesis"><b>oxidative stress</b></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">due to the production of </span><b>skin cell-damaging</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> free radicals.</span></p> <h3><b>UVB, AS IN BURNING</b></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">UVB radiation only penetrates as far as the skin's upper layer, the epidermis. This </span><b>stimulates the production of melanin</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (the pigment responsible for tanning), which, in addition to its cosmetic appeal, acts as the skin's natural form of sun protection.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Melanin actually helps protect our DNA by absorbing UV radiation. UVB radiation also encourages epidermal cells to multiply, thickening the stratum corneum and making the skin stronger and less vulnerable to radiation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It might sound like UVB radiation is an effective way of preparing your skin for the sun. But it's all about moderation:</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">- Overexposure interferes with melanin production and </span><b>leads to the appearance of </b><a href="https://us.filorga.com/articles/what-can-be-done-to-tackle-dark-spots"><b>liver spots</b></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">- Too much UVB radiation without protection causes </span>sunburn<span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">- It's also responsible for </span><b>melanomas</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <h3><b>INFRARED RADIATION</b></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The effects of this kind of radiation are not mitigated by melanin or a tan. Infrared radiation heats up and </span><b>dries out</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> the epidermis, creating the characteristic sensations of tingling and warmth on the skin. They also </span><b>damage collagen fibers</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">, accelerating skin aging and the development of wrinkles and liver spots.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There is no way of filtering out infrared radiation in the same way that sunscreens filter out UVA and UVB radiation. The only way to minimize its effects is to use </span><a href="https://us.filorga.com/articles/ingredient-spotlight-antioxidants"><b>antioxidants</b></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span><b> </b></p> <p><b><img src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0557/0369/9549/files/A_good_sunscreen_is_crucial_to_taking_proper_care_of_your_skin_240x240.jpg?v=1694789708" alt="You should regularly apply a sunscreen to prepare your skin for the sun"></b></p> <h2><b>THE INGREDIENTS TO LOOK FOR IN QUALITY SUN PROTECTION</b></h2> <p><b>Choosing the right sunscreen is crucial</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to properly preparing your skin for the sun. Its job is to absorb UV radiation. To do so, it needs to contain specific </span><b>filters</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to block UVA and UVB radiation. In premium products, these filters are further </span><b>boosted</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> by ingredients that increase their effectiveness.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">These ingredients include high molecular weight </span><a href="https://us.filorga.com/articles/the-benefits-of-hyaluronic-acid"><b>hyaluronic acid</b></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">and certain plant oils, and they form a film on the surface of the skin that helps to distribute the filters more evenly on its surface. Niacinamide (vitamin B3) and antioxidants like beta-carotene are also used as boosters.</span></p> <h2><b>HOW TO BEST PREPARE YOUR SKIN FOR THE SUN</b></h2> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To get the perfect tan and keep your skin well protected, FILORGA's experts recommend the following routine:</span></p> <h3><b>STEP 1: EXFOLIATE </b></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Exfoliating means eliminating dead cells from the skin. Doing so </span><b>gives your skin a smoother texture and favors a uniform, radiant tan</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We advise that our customers prepare their skin for the sun by exfoliating once or twice a week with our </span><a href="https://us.filorga.com/products/scrub-mask"><b>SCRUB &amp; MASK</b></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, a dual action exfoliator that reveals cleaner and fresher looking skin. Just make sure not to over-exfoliate as this can lead to irritation and dryness. </span></p> <h3><b>STEP 2: NOURISH</b></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Once the skin has been cleansed of dead cells, the second step in preparing your skin for the sun is simply to follow your usual FILORGA skincare routine. After being weakened by the UV and infrared radiation of the hot summer months, </span><b>the skin requires nourishment and hydration</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This is when our </span><a href="https://us.filorga.com/collections/hydra"><b>HYDRA collection</b></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is your perfect ally.</span></p> <p><b>PRO TIP: </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">For less shiny skin, we recommend using the lighter versions of our face creams, such as the </span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://us.filorga.com/products/hydra-filler-mat"><b>HYDRA-FILLER MAT</b></a></span><span style="font-weight: 400;">,</span> <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://us.filorga.com/products/time-filler-5xp-cream-gel"><b>TIME-FILLER 5-XP GEL-CREAM</b></a></span><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and </span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://us.filorga.com/products/ncef-reverse-mat"><b>NCEF-REVERSE MAT</b></a></span><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span><b> </b></p> <h3><b>STEP 3: PROTECT </b></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Your skin is now ready for sun protection, which should always be applied at the end of your skincare routine, even on overcast days (because UV radiation penetrates cloud cover) and in the city. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Make sure you choose one with broad spectrum SPF protection—that means it guards against both UVA (aging) rays and UVB (burning) rays. If you don’t like how traditional sunscreen feels on your face, there are now many tinted mineral sunscreen options available on the market which provide great coverage without leaving behind a white cast or making your face feel greasy. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Apply a sufficient amount evenly all over the body and face before sun exposure and reapply frequently, approximately every two hours, and especially after swimming or drying the skin. And when your day out in the sun comes to an end, don't forget to remove any sun protection with a </span><a href="https://us.filorga.com/collections/cleansers"><b>make-up remover</b></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">and follow</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">up with an </span>antioxidant serum<span style="font-weight: 400;"> followed by a </span><a href="https://us.filorga.com/collections/moisturizers-creams"><b>moisturizer</b></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to help the skin recover after a day in the sun. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In addition to the protection provided by your sun care products, you should also stick to these general</span><b> safety guidelines</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">: </span></p> <p>- Frequently reapply your sunscreen, especially after sweating, swimming, or toweling yourself off — at least every two hours.</p> <p>- Even with the highest quality protection, you should avoid exposure to the sun when it's at its hottest. During the summer, this means between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.</p> <p>- Don't forget that too much sun is dangerous for your health.</p>