The sun is never very far behind the clouds

The charms of summer are here and cause us at times to lower our guard when basking in the sun, and its UV rays; for this reason, we would like to give you 6 recommendations to adequately prepare your skin to better enjoy the summer season.

Exfoliation

Dead cells clog pores, resulting in a dull complexion and giving the appearance of dry skin. By getting rid of dead skin cells you promote cellular regeneration. This inevitably improves skin oxygenation and the absorption of applied products. A skin that is properly exfoliated will promote a radiant and even complexion!

Moisturization

The daily application of moisturizing products on the skin is important to maintain its quality. No parts of the body should be excluded: legs, arms, back, stomach, chest and buttocks; do not hesitate to apply cream everywhere.
Why? To avoid crocodile and flaky skin.

Eating habits

“What do you eat to have such a lovely figure?” Preference should be given to fruits and vegetables that are rich in beta-carotene, such as parsley, carrot, spinach, mango, watermelon, apricot, tomatoes, etc. These vitamin A precursors give colour to foods and activate the production of melanin in our body, hence its coloration. Rely also on other anti-oxidants (vitamin C and E), such as kiwi, Goji berries, sunflower seeds, nuts, etc. For smoothie enthusiasts, you can add spirulina to your recipe; a super-food teeming with nutrients that reinforce the immune system and brings vitality to the organism.

Supplements

For those who want extensive preparation in order to brave the sun, a few nutritional supplements are available for you. Aside from the vitamins mentioned above, zinc also helps more specifically with the wholeness of nails and hair. Omega-3s have the advantage of reducing skin inflammation caused by sun exposure and reduce the risk of skin cancer. They also nourish the skin from the inside, to prevent dry skin. For those who don’t have enough time to enjoy the nice weather, a supplement of vitamin D is especially recommended and could prevent many skin problems…

Sunscreen

How can we get our head around all the different types of sunscreens available on the market? Which SPF should we get?
The SPF is the sun protection factor indicating how long our skin is protected from solar rays.
An SPF of 15 or less is not recommended for sun exposure, because this type of product does not offer sufficient blocking protection.

Surprising, isn’t it? It is proven that the use of a high SPF gives a false sense of security. This simply means that we apply the sunscreen less frequently, or not at all during the day. Be careful with the expressions “total sun block” or “total protection”; many countries prohibit the use of these expressions on sunscreen label products, because none of these can block 100% of UV rays, whatever the SPF used. Give preference to mineral-based solar filters, such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These are natural and offer a better protection than chemical filters.

Quick formula

Here is a tip to know your natural sun protection indicator. You only have to do it once! Determine the number of minutes before feeling the effects of the sun on your skin (heat becoming less comfortable with tingling sensation). If for example it takes 10 minutes to start feeling these uncomfortable effects, your natural protection rating is 10. Now multiply this number by the SPF of your sunscreen.
Example: 10 x 20 (SPF of 20) = 200
You must then reapply SPF 20 sunscreen every 200 minutes in order to avoid sunburn. Of course, those who have very clear skin must remain vigilant with regards to the results of the formula, and reapply the sunscreen 30 to 45 minutes earlier! Finally, if you go for a swim or perspire heavily, it is advisable to reapply sunscreen more frequently.

Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Have a wonderful summer, and stay protected!