How to save your skin
I've been doing quite a bit of research into skincare over the last few weeks. Mainly because I'm in my early 30's and have done very little research into caring for my skin properly before - shocking I know! As we’re in the middle of summer as I write this and the sun is starting to shine in Ireland (finally), I thought I'd share the most important thing that every dermatologist I follow shouts about…protecting your skin from the sun!
So many of us have a skincare routine that involves cleansing, toning, moisturizing, sometimes various serums, retinols, BHA/AHA, etc., which can all be great when done correctly. However how many of us include the most important product you can put on your skin on a daily basis - sunscreen? Even if you have absolutely no skincare routine at all besides washing your face with some water, sunscreen is something you NEED to include. And if you’re doing all of the above but without including SPF, you’re wasting your money on expensive products that do not help your skin without adequate sun protection.
We all hear it, we all know how important it is to wear sunscreen…but how many of us actually wear it on a daily basis?
If I could go back and give one piece of incredibly important advice to myself in my 20's it would be this…" wear sunscreen EVERY. SINGLE. DAY!" "If you want a tan, get it from a bottle. Wearing factor 20 does not cut it. Sunburn is causing you damage every time it happens and wearing any factor under 30 is not providing you with sufficient protection from the sun"
Yes, we live in Ireland where it's cloudy and rainy most of the year so why would we have to wear it outside of summertime? Well here's why…
According to Dr. Shilesh Iyer, M.D., a Board Certified dermatologist:
“Ultraviolet rays that are the cause of sun damage and skin cancer are always present. They are independent of cold or hot weather and are not blocked by clouds. On overcast days, only visible rays (but not UVB rays) from the sun are blocked. The best way to protect the skin is with sun protection.”
Did you know?
In Ireland, skin cancer is the most common cancer. There are over 13,000 new cases diagnosed every year. According to the National Cancer Registry of Ireland (NCRI), it is expected that this number will double by 2040.
Skin cancer is a disease of skin cells. Nine out of every ten cases are caused by UV rays from the sun or sunbeds. (www.cancer.ie)
Our skin is the largest organ in our body so it's important that we know what impacts it in positive and negative ways including what damage UV rays cause and how we can best protect it.
Here are some facts about skin that everyone should be aware of:
UVB Rays - Burn the skin and play a key role in cancer formation
UVA Rays - Penetrate the skin deeply destroying collagen (causing premature aging), contribute to skin cancer formation and a variety of photosensitive issues such as hyperpigmentation and melasma. They are known as the aging rays.
UVA Rays can pass through windows and glass - your house, car, workplace, etc.
Broad-spectrum SPF protects against both UVA and UVB rays, helping to prevent sunburn, the appearance of aging, skin conditions, and skin cancer.
The general recommendation is to use a minimum of SPF 30+ during the winter months and 50+ during the summer (May to October).
Apply sunscreen 15 - 30 minutes before sun exposure and reapply every two hours. Make sure to reapply immediately after swimming, exercising, sweating, or if the skin has been towel-dried – even if the SPF says it is waterproof.
If you are using SPF on your face with other products (like moisturiser or make-up), the golden rule is that SPF is always the final product applied. So do your moisturiser first, then SPF.
Many people only apply 25% of the sunscreen that you actually need. To ensure you’re getting adequate sun protection, apply enough sunscreen. What is enough? 2 tablespoons for the entire body (if in swim gear/summer clothing) or two teaspoons for the upper body - face, neck, and arms - the skin that is exposed.
In addition to sunscreen, cover up with sun-protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and wear sunglasses as much as possible.
Once there’s daylight, there are UVA rays so the most important step in protecting our skin every single day is with a broad-spectrum SPF which protects against both UVA and UVB.
FOOD TIP:
To get a healthy, ageless summer glow - eat your vegetables! Yes, I'm not joking, adding certain fruits and veggies to your diet can actually give your skin a glow that resembles a beach-made tan (without having to actually lie out in the sun). It's due to the beta-carotene in certain vegetables.
Examples of these foods include sweet potatoes, carrots, kale, broccoli, mango, red peppers, and tomatoes. Increase your plant food intake, fuel a healthy gut and body and get a beautiful summer glow all in one!