On busy mornings, we tend to race out the door, armed with a half eaten bagel and a makeup bag – but all too often, we forget the most critical piece of armor in our organic skincare regimen: sunscreen! Sun damage is one of the biggest offenders when it comes to fine lines, wrinkles, and the pesky brown spots on your face that never seem to go away. But, fear not – many of the visible effects of sun damage are reversible, and it’s never too late to take steps to counteract them! Before looking to solutions like lasers or surgery, try some of these fuss-free tips for reversing sun damage, and rejuvenating, renewing your skin!
1. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
Sunshine strips the moisture from your face, and slows the rate at which cells replace themselves. This results in dry skin, blemishes, and clogged pores. So, in addition to drinking 2 liters of water a day, remember to keep your skin topically hydrated with a potent moisturizer or face oil! This will help prevent new fine lines and wrinkles from forming, and soften the appearance of existing ones. For a deeply moisturizing, anti-inflammatory formula that has been developed for damaged skin, try our Total Rejuvenation Night Face Oil! If masks are more comfortable territory, try our Deeply Clarifying Face Mask, ensured to tighten and hydrate the delicate skin on the face.
2. Exfoliate Regularly
Sun damage can cause a buildup of dead skin cells, which make skin appear blotchy and uneven. Exfoliation removes these dead cells and exposes a new layer of fresh, undamaged skin. This will allow moisturizers and other topical or organic beauty products to penetrate troublesome areas more effectively, for maximal results! Options for exfoliants include packaged versions, natural homemade scrubs, or AHA’s (alpha hydroxy acids).
3. Dark Spots, Be Gone!
The dark spots on your skin may be a result of an overproduction of melanin in your skin, as a result of exposure to UV rays. This is a sign your skin is trying to protect you from UV radiation, by churning out a thicker layer of protective pigment! Vitamin C based products can be a great way to fade these spots, and correct uneven pigmentation. Organic skin care products that aid in the absorption of naturally derived vitamin C (e.g., neroli essential oil and orange essential oil) are especially effective, as our body is better equipped to process natural variants than synthetic ones! Retinoids, derived from vitamin A, are also great for speeding up the cell turnover cycle, and stimulating collagen production, thereby reducing the appearance of uneven pigmentation.
4. Get Your Antioxidants - From The Inside Out
Antioxidants act as anti-inflammatory agents, and protect our collagen and elastic tissues from the free radicals that can cause sagging skin and fine lines. The breakdown of collagen due to sun damage and age causes wrinkles and fine lines to appear. Antioxidant-rich topical creams and face oils are a great addition to your skincare routine or blemish solution - but don’t forget to consume antioxidant rich foods as well! Stock up on cherries, pomegranates, and green tea, which deliver the same antioxidants that fight inflammation and improve skin elasticity internally.
5. Say YES to SPF!
Sunscreen every day is a must, rain or shine. Using a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher will protect you against both UVA and UVB rays, thereby minimizing sun exposure and allowing your skin to better heal existing sun damage. There are a plethora of options on the market, and great naturally derived options like Coola and Suntegrity, which are packed with nutrition for the skin as well!
And, if you missed it, check out our 4 suggestions for how to get that glowing sun kissed summer skin!
