SUNSCREEN

SUNSCREEN

As much as summer is cause for dressing down, it’s important to cover up. And though it seems that all we do is talk about covering our faces these days, some things bear repeating even as new issues need to be addressed. Whether you’re in the backyard, sipping drinks on a patio, or day-tripping to the beach, sunscreen is as essential as any personal protection product you bring along.

Damage

Prolonged exposure to sunlight is proven to cause premature aging of the skin and various kinds of unwanted damage, from wrinkles and a leathery texture to brown spots, a loss of elasticity known as solar elastosis, and scaly patches called actinic keratosis. Some consequences are far worse. Get outside as often as you can however enjoy your time outdoors responsibly. Protect yourself by protecting your skin.

Preparation

When you purchase sunscreen, buy enough to keep multiples conveniently on hand wherever you may be – at home, in the car, in your handbag. Luckily, certain sunscreens also act as a moisturizer. (I love a product that multitasks!) These are the perfect travel companions as they lighten your load. Don’t put yourself in the position to need sunscreen but not have any when you can set yourself up for success with a little extra planning.

Personal Favourites

One of my longtime favourites is EltaMD UV Daily Tinted. I wear this SPF 40 as a dual purpose sunscreen and moisturizer that offers full UVA/UVB protection while also containing hyaluronic acid.

As a fan of products that multitask, I also love SkinCeuticals tinted Physical Fusion UV defense. This product is light on the skin and great for those with combination to oily skin.

Reapply every 90 minutes to two hours even when indoors. Multiple studies have demonstrated the ability of UV radiation to penetrate both household and car windows. Regardless of age, skin colour or season,sunscreen is a must for us all.

- Em