My Top Skin-Saving SPF Tips
What are you doing to protect your skin
AND slow down skin’s aging process??
Summers in Arizona are HOT – it’s no secret. Even if you try to avoid the sun, or think that it’s not reaching our skin on a cloudy day, it is inevitably always out. It peaks through the windows of our home, office, & car and is the cause of 80-90% of the aging of our skin.
Therefore, the proper protection for your skin is a MUST!
I have tried countless sunscreens & sunblocks over the years to try to prevent the dreaded post-sun lines/wrinkles, spots, bumps & breakouts. I finally found the ones that protect my skin the most from aging, pigmentation, acne & sun damage and have never looked back.
Here are my 3 of Skin-Saving Tips for summer sun, and all year round!
1. Apply a Daily SunBLOCK (not Sunscreen or makeup with SPF):
Fun Fact: Sunblocks physically BLOCK UV rays, while sunscreens ABSORB them. Sunscreens also have more chemicals with potentially harmful effects on the skin & body. You also have immediate protection with a sunblock, as opposed to having to wait 20 minutes for the sunscreen’s chemicals to kick in!
Research shows that in order for a zinc oxide-based sunblock to be effective, it typically needs to contain at least 5-10% zinc oxide – a natural mineral used to shield against the harmful effects of the sun.
It’s protective physical barrier stops harmful UV rays; provides excellent UVA-(type I and II) & UVB-blocking capability, giving a superb broad-spectrum protection as well as offering antimicrobial and non-sensitizing properties. It is also an essential mineral that our bodies need for new cell production – and therefore…healthy skin!
2. Give your skin a dose of daily vitamins:
Did you know it has been found that sunblocks and products that contain topical antioxidants help to reduce sun damage & free radicals while providing healthy support for the skin? I also recommend taking supplements and/or eating foods with antioxidants & vitamins prior to outdoor activities. Including Vitamin D, and of course, Vitamin C, etc.
Here are a few other favorites based on research:
*(Red Algae) Extract – protects against premature aging and photo aging induced by UVA irradiation.
*White Ginger Root Extract – a well known anti-inflammatory agent to reduce heat in the skin and therefore pigmentation and heat rash.
*Camellia Sinesis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract – Provides potent antioxidant support.
*Tetrahydrocurcuminoids (Curcumin) – highly potent antioxidants that efficiently quench free radicals on the surface of the skin. Protects skin against UV damage & provides anti-inflammatory & skin brightening action.
3. Layer SPF for best results:
Studies over the years have shown that sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 30 blocks about 97 percent of ultraviolet rays. A rating of 15 means 93 percent of UV rays are blocked, and anything higher than 30 remains in the 97 or 98 percent range. This is why layering with UV protection from articles of clothing like hats & UV shirts or pants are key to optimizing protection!
My top picks for daily protection:
*Rhonda Allison’s eZinc SPF22 – daily moisturizer with sunblock
*Rhonda Allison’s Daytime Defense SPF30 – sunblock used over a moisturizer or when out in the sun for longer periods of time
*My UVF50 hats!
You can shop these products and more – here!
As always, please reach out with any questions!
XO Your Aesthetician,
Kimberly