When it comes to sun damage it’s always easier to prevent than to fix. Frequent unprotected exposure to sunlight, whether you get a burn or not, can lead to premature aging and pigmentation as well as cancer. Luckily for us there are thousands of amazing options for sunblock and other skincare products that will keep you protected and beautiful no matter the season or occasion!
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Vitamin C/Antioxidants
Sun damage is an oxidative process. Vitamin C and other antioxidants don’t block the rays but it slows the damage process to the collagen and aids in the repair process. Vitamin C not only helps against free radicals but it also stimulates collagen production and can help brighten the tone of your skin with continual use. Here are some of the Vitamin C products that I’m totally in love with right now:
Replenix by Topix CF Purifying Foaming Antioxidant Cleanser
Sun protection is a must have but a top complaint of sunscreen is that it is heavy and has a tendency to make people break out. This cleanser is amazing at purifying those pores plus giving you the added benefit of another antioxidant powerhouse, Green Tea. This cleanser also has CoQ10, Cucumber and Chamomile Extracts which are also great anti inflammatory and anti aging ingredients.
Murad Advanced Active Radiance Serum
The new formula of this serum delivers 50x the free radical neutralizing power of the previous formula. It not only protects your skin from harmful environmental effects all day long but it also improves skin firmness by up to 63% in just 15 minutes! If that wasn’t enough this serum is also powered by a new Vitamin C technology that helps to improve skin brightness, clarity and radiance.
Murad Essential-C Eye Cream SPF 15
The delicate eye tissue needs a gentle sunblock. Eyes and lips age faster than the rest of your skin but you can protect those precious peepers with this incredible vitamin c powered eye sunscreen cream. This eye cream also immediately stimulates collagen production and helps to reduce fine lines/wrinkles and reduce dark circles to help renew that delicate area.
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How to Choose the Right Sunblock
As we mentioned before people shy away from sunblock often because it doesn’t agree with their skin. However the problem isn’t sun protection in general, it may be that you’re choosing the wrong formula for your skin! Here is a guide based on skin type that can help you stay protected and beautiful.
Acne Prone/Oily
Glytone Sunscreen Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 40
This oil free, fragrance free and mineral based sunscreen lotion is just what you need if you have sensitive oily or acne prone skin. This non-comedogenic formula has vitamin C to help keep skin firm and elastic, hydrated and soft, without oiliness. It also contains Hyaluronic Acid to help your skin hold on to the natural moisture that it has without clogging your pores the way a lot of sunscreen/moisturizers do.
Normal/Combination
La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid
You’ve probably heard of this well known sunscreen already but for good reason! Featured in Oprah Magazine, this sunscreen offers a soft matte finish and is never greasy so it works perfectly under makeup. It’s also boosted by antioxidants and is not only non-comedogenic but its also water resistant for longer-lasting protection. It also comes in a body version to give you all over protection for any situation.
Sensitive
DCL Antioxidant Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
If you have sensitive skin then sunscreen is often the last thing that you want to put on…but with this sunscreen you’re in luck! Formulated with non chemical sun-blocking agents, this quick drying mineral sunscreen offers a matte finish quick drying formula and is loaded with calming ingredients such as Chamomile and has skin loving ingredients such as Vitamin E and Argan Nut Oil to firm skin, improve elasticity and smooth out wrinkles.
All Skin Types
NEOVA DNA Damage Control (Silc Sheer 2.0 Broad Spectrum SPF 40)
This advanced sunscreen not only provides the benefits of antioxidants and powerful sun protection but it also has the added bonus of a skin-perfecting sheer tint that evens out skin tone. It can also help correct the signs of sun inflicted skin DNA damage over time and is oil free so it is safe for skin that is acne prone.
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I am personally someone who struggles with problem skin so I must say discovering these products was a lifesaver…literally. Sun damage can be as minor as getting freckles, or it can be as severe as skin cancer. There are also a bunch of things in between such as premature sagging and wrinkles (one side of your face more severe than the other due to driving and one side of your face getting more rays than another) as well as hyper pigmentation and melasma for which the only for true reversal is laser treatments. So if you’re like me and DON’T want to spend thousands of dollars on getting an even skin tone I definitely recommend wearing sunscreen every day no matter what. Trust me...your skin will thank you.