4 Ways To Actively Prevent Sun Damage

Sun damage is serious. Too much exposure to UV rays can cause sunburns, wrinkles, and skin cancer. 

What is Photoaging?

Skin can be damaged by the sun. Over time, this sun damage creates wrinkles, fine lines, and coarse texture. What's happened is that UVA has actually damaged the collagen in the layers of skin. In addition, "age spots" are actually spots of melanin production as a result of sun exposure!

What are UV rays? 

The sun creates ultraviolet light in long waves (UVA) and short waves (UVB). UVB rays are what causes sunburns, and UVA rays are what cause long term damage. Both UVA and UVB can be blocked by a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or more.

You can actively prevent sun damage:

• Stay out of the direct sun when it is highest in the sky, between the hours of 10 am and 2 pm.
• Cover your skin with white or light colored clothing.
• Wear a hat and sunglasses.
• Slather on the Sunscreen

The bad news is, the sun can and does cause skin cancer. (I have fair skin and I'm terrified of the results of a few severe sunburns in my lifetime.) The best way to prevent sunburns, photoaging and skin cancer is the apply sunscreen liberally. Like, a real lot! 

Reasons Why We Moisturize And Prime

Before putting on any makeup, be sure to moisturize and prime! The prep work you do will make a difference - your makeup will last longer, and everything will be smoother.

MOISTURIZE

Moisturizer should be lightweight and have SPF. Moisturizer has a few purposes - it hydrates the skin and it protects it from the additional layers of makeup. The SPF is your sunscreen protection as well. Allow the moisturizer to absorb into your skin and make sure it is dry before applying the primer.

PRIME

Primer should match your skin needs as closely as you can. Why do we even use primer? Well, primer does a few very important things: it fills in lines and creates a clean surface to begin the makeup artistry, it smooths your skin and allows foundation to blend, tinted primers and color correctors can help reduce discoloration, and primer helps to lock in moisture.

Primer should contain two key ingredients: glycerin and some variety of silicone, such as dimethicone. Why? Well, glycerin and silicone both help to seal in moisture and they work to create a stronger barrier to protect your skin all day. Check out The Dermatology Review's opinion on glycerin.

My recommend? Ideal Flawless Beauty Balm. Why? It's lightweight, conceals flaws, minimizes redness, smooths skin, is tinted in five color choices to help with coverage, has SPF 15 for additional sun protection, and contains glycerin to help makeup stick and stay all day.

Photoaging and the Importance of Sunscreen

What is Photoaging?

Skin can be damaged by the sun. Over time, this sun damage creates wrinkles, fine lines, and coarse texture. What's happened is that UVA has actually damaged the collagen in the layers of skin. In addition, "age spots" are actually spots of melanin production as a result of sun exposure!

What are UV rays?

The sun creates ultraviolet light in long waves (UVA) and short waves (UVB). UVB rays are what causes sunburns, and UVA rays are what cause long term damage. Both UVA and UVB can be blocked by a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or more.

Slather on the Sunscreen

The bad news is, the sun can and does cause skin cancer. (I have fair skin and I'm terrified of the results of a few severe sunburns in my lifetime.) The best way to prevent sunburns, photoaging and skin cancer is the apply sunscreen liberally. Like, a real lot!

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2015/06/when-you-really-need-a-face-sunscreen/index.htm