As we emerge from the chill of winter into the warmth of spring, the days get longer, and the sun shines brighter. With the warmer months ahead, it's the perfect time to think about the best way to shield your skin from UV damage and the preventable signs of visible ageing.
When summer arrives, and we eagerly anticipate bright blue skies and more time outdoors, Sunscreen—while essential—is only part of your sun protection arsenal.
To keep your skin well-protected from UV damage while maintaining a glowing complexion, a few extra steps in your daily skincare routine can provide additional layers of defence. These simple steps will help you combat the harsh summer conditions and keep your complexion radiant.
To fully understand why a layered approach to sun protection is essential, let's look at what happens to your skin when exposed to the sun.
What Happens When Your Skin is Exposed to the Heat of the Sun?
You might already know that long-term exposure to the sun can prematurely age your skin. But let's delve a little deeper. When your skin is exposed to the sun, it absorbs not only ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which damages the DNA of your skin cells and leads to visible signs of sun damage but also infrared heat.
While a broad-spectrum sunscreen protects you from UVA and UVB rays, the heat you feel on your skin—caused by infrared radiation—can still cause damage. This heat penetrates deeply into the skin, leading to collagen breakdown, increased inflammation, and triggering hyperpigmentation. So, while sunscreen is a critical element in your sun protection strategy, it's only one piece of the puzzle.
Infrared heat creates warmth that leads to heat stress in the skin. And while feeling the sun's warmth on our skin can be pleasant, an intense heat response accelerates collagen breakdown, contributing to wrinkles and sagging. It can also trigger hyperpigmentation, making dark spots more pronounced.
Additionally, infrared heat depletes your skin's moisture, causing dryness and weakening the skin barrier, leaving it more vulnerable to damage.
Lastly, the heat generates free radicals, increasing oxidative stress and accelerating the visible signs of skin ageing.
While all this might sound daunting, there are ways to assist your skin by incorporating topical nutrients and botanical plant extracts that help shield it from the sun's daily heat.
Powerful Ingredients for Sun Protection and Skin Radiance.
When it comes to protecting your skin from the damaging effects of the sun, these powerful ingredients work together to keep your complexion healthy, radiant, and resilient.
L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C):
A pure form of Vitamin C, it offers powerful protection against the sun's damaging effects, especially infrared heat.
When topically applied at the correct dose, it helps in these ways:
- Neutralises Free Radicals: It acts as a potent antioxidant, neutralising free radicals generated by sun exposure and infrared heat and preventing oxidative stress and premature ageing.
- Enhanced Skin Firmness: Assists in maintaining skin's firmness and resilience, counteracting sun-induced collagen breakdown.
- Reduces Inflammation: Soothes inflammation triggered by sun exposure, soothing redness and calming sun-affected skin.
- Prevents Hyperpigmentation: Inhibits the enzymes that activate melanin production, helping to prevent and reduce dark spots and uneven skin tone caused by sun exposure.
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3):
Niacinamide, or Vitamin B3, is a crucial ingredient for defending your skin against the sun, particularly infrared heat.
When topically applied in the correct dose, this is how your skin benefits:
- Strengthens the Skin Barrier: Enhances ceramide production, fortifying the skin's barrier against moisture loss and damage from infrared heat.
- Reduces Inflammation: Calms visible redness caused by sun exposure, keeping the skin soothed and comfortable.
- Minimises Hyperpigmentation: Inhibits melanin transfer, helping to prevent and reduce dark spots, leading to a more even skin tone.
- Antioxidant support: Enhances the skin's ability to recover from oxidative stress due to sun exposure, preventing premature ageing.
Kakadu Plum Extract:
Kakadu Plum Extract, rich in Vitamin C, offers natural protection against the sun's harmful effects.
When topically applied at the correct dose, it will help in these ways:
- High Antioxidant Power: One of the richest sources of natural Vitamin C, neutralising free radicals caused by sun exposure.
- Enhanced Skin Firmness: Supports collagen synthesis to maintain skin's elasticity for firmer-looking skin, counteracting sun-induced collagen breakdown.
- Reduces Hyperpigmentation: Inhibits melanin production, reducing the appearance of dark spots and promoting a more even skin tone.
- Calming relief: Offers calming properties that soothe sun-exposed skin, reducing the visible signs of redness and irritation.
CLERILYS® W:
A powerful complex comprising three plant-based ingredients, White Mulberry, Hibiscus Flowers, and Cucumber Extract, targets pigmentation and sun damage.
When topically applied at the correct dose, this is how your skin will benefit:
- Reduces Melanin Production: White Mulberry extract inhibits tyrosinase, reducing melanin production and preventing the formation of dark spots.
- Accelerates Skin Renewal: AHAs from Hibiscus flowers gently exfoliate the skin, removing pigmented cells and revealing a visibly brighter complexion.
- Prevents Pigment Transfer: Cucumber extract limits melanin transfer to the skin's surface, reducing the appearance of dark spots and preventing new pigmentation.
- Evens Skin Tone: Works on multiple levels to even out skin tone, diminish dark spots, and reduce pregnancy-related pigmentation, known as melasma.
In vivo studies have demonstrated the efficacy of CLERILYS® W in reducing pigmentation by inhibiting key mechanisms involved in melanin production and transport.
The study showed a significant decrease in tyrosinase activity by 18%, melanin production by 22%, and melanin transport by up to 22%, highlighting its potential to promote a more even and radiant skin tone.
Where to Find These Sun Protective Ingredients in the Aesthetics Rx® Skincare Range.
Aesthetics Rx® Vitamin C Serum
Defend your skin against sun damage with our Vitamin C Serum, formulated with a high concentration of pure L-Ascorbic Acid, Kakadu Plum extract and Vitamins E & B5 to shield against sun-induced skin damage and the visible signs of premature skin ageing.
Key Benefits:
- Antioxidant Defence: L-Ascorbic Acid combats free radicals.
- Visibly Brightens: Reduces the appearance of dark spots and evens the look of skin tone for a radiant glow.
- Enhances Skin Firmness: Helps promote a more youthful appearance, firmer-looking, and resilient skin.
- Hydrates and Plumps: Hyaluronic Acid restores moisture and visibly plumps the skin, enhancing smoothness for firmer-looking skin.
Our Vitamin C Serum is your essential shield for a bright, smooth, youthful-looking complexion.
Revitalise and protect sun-exposed skin with our Ultimate Serum, formulated with Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, and the botanical complex CLERILYS® W to defend against sun-induced damage, including infrared heat.
Key Benefits:
- Strengthens and Protects: Niacinamide fortifies your skin's barrier, helping to lock in moisture and protect against the damaging effects of infrared heat.
- Fades Pigmentation: CLERILYS® W, with its tyrosinase-inhibiting properties, reduces melanin production to minimise dark spots and pigmentation.
- Promotes Cell Turnover: Salicylic Acid gently exfoliates, while CLERILYS® W encourages cell renewal, improving skin texture and tone.
- Soothes Inflammation: Niacinamide calms redness and irritation, keeping your skin smooth and comfortable.
Our Ultimate Serum is your essential daily defence for maintaining a visibly brighter, even-toned, healthy-looking complexion.
Aesthetics Rx® Ultimate Sun Protection Sunscreen SPF50+
Keep your skin protected every day with our Ultimate Sun Protection Sunscreen SPF50+, a zinc-based physical sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum defence against UVA and UVB rays.
Key Benefits:
- Broad-Spectrum Protection: SPF50+ zinc oxide formula reflects UVA & UVB rays, shielding your skin from sun damage.
- Matte, Ultra-Sheer Finish: Fast-absorbing, non-greasy formula that sits seamlessly under makeup without leaving a white cast.
- Gentle on Skin: Free from chemical filters, this sunscreen doesn't induce heat, clog pores, or irritate, making it ideal for sensitive and blemish-prone skin.
- Minimises Premature Ageing: Helps protect against the visible signs of ageing caused by sun exposure.
Our Ultimate Sun Protection Sunscreen SPF50+ is your daily go-to and essential for high-performing, gentle sun protection that keeps your skin looking healthy and radiant.
Tips for Summer Skin Care
As you get ready for the summer sun, remember that protecting your skin goes beyond what you apply topically. Here are a few additional tips to keep your skin healthy and radiant:
- Avoid Peak Sun Hours: The sun's rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Limit direct exposure during these hours to protect your skin from intense UV radiation.
- Reapply Sunscreen Frequently: When you need to be outside during peak sun hours, reapply your Sunscreen every two hours or more often if swimming or sweating
- Cover Up: Wear protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses to shield your skin from the sun's harmful effects.
- Stay Hydrated: Hydration is vital for maintaining your skin's moisture balance, especially in the heat. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your skin plump and hydrated from the inside out.
A Holistic and Consistent Approach.
Finally, make sure to cleanse, moisturise, and apply Sunscreen daily. Incorporating key ingredients like L-Ascorbic Acid, Niacinamide, Kakadu Plum Extract, and CLERILYS® W into your routine will further enhance your skin's resilience against sun damage.
With a consistent approach to wearing sun protection and layering protective nutrients and specialised ingredients in your skincare routine, you'll confidently face the sun, minimising the visible signs of sun damage, knowing your skin is well protected for a glow you'll love all through summer and beyond.