BRIGHTER THAN THE SUN

by IC Team

Hello summer, bye bye winter! Some places are hotter than others, colder than others, and whether you see the rays reaching out to you or not, one thing we've learned over the years is, wear sunscreen! It's no secret that one of the main causes of aging is the sun. While aging is inevitable, aging gracefully is not. 

What is sunscreen and why should we use it? 
According to an article from Skin Cancer Foundation, “Sunscreens are products combining several ingredients that help prevent the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation from reaching the skin”. But of course you already knew that. What you probably didn't know is that there is more than one type of ultraviolet radiation. For the purposes of our skin, I will tell you a little about UVA and UVB. These two work together to harm your skin. 

Ultraviolet Radiation Causes
UVB and UVA “damage the skin, age it prematurely, and increase your risk of skin cancer”. While UVB is responsible for the sunburn, UVA rays “penetrate the skin more deeply, are associated with wrinkling, leathering, sagging, and other light-induced effects of aging”. Plus, UVA rays increase the severity for the UVB rays to produce cancer (skincancer.org).

The amount of sunscreen depends on your exposure to the sun; skin experts recommend beauty products with SPF. Wearing sunscreen shouldn't be an option, it should be part of your beauty regimen, especially if you use acne products. 

The combination of acne products and sun exposure are the equivalent of unwanted marks. 

Finding a sunscreen that's not too heavy and you feel comfy with can be challenging. Go to  a makeup counter like Sephora and take a few samples home. Here are some brands that come highly recommended: Neutrogena’s Ultra Sheer Liquid Daily Sunblock SPF 7, $12.49; Neutrogena’s Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45, $9.49; and CLARINS UV Plus HP Broad Spectrum SPF 40 Sunscreen Multi-Protection, $40 (try a free sample at Sephora).