Summer Skin Care Guide: Preparing and protecting your skin for sun exposure
What steps should you take before and during prolonged exposure to the sun, such as a day at the beach?
Better safe than sorry! This has never been truer than when your skin is exposed to UV rays, especially on days spent at the beach.
Preparing your skin for sun exposure is essential. The skin is a delicate organ that performs many biological functions. It plays a role in regulating body temperature and acts as a protective barrier against the various external aggressors we face every day.
UV rays, when absorbed in excessive amounts, are very harmful to the epidermis: sunburns, premature skin aging and, in the most severe cases, even skin cancer. There are many negative effects associated with overexposure. Therefore, moderate sun exposure is necessary to achieve a healthy tan, because the sun also has its benefits. But you need to prepare your skin before you go to the beach.
What are the steps and routine you should follow before going to the beach to protect and hydrate your skin?
- Hydrate your skin by drinking plenty of fluids in the morning.
- Apply an antioxidant mask.
You don't need to cleanse your skin in the morning because you've already done so before you go to bed.
We recommend applying an antioxidant mask upon waking, especially before a day of prolonged sun exposure. The Masque Radieux is perfect for this purpose. This mask is a blend of antioxidants: Resveratrol, Vitamins C and E, Tomato Lycopene, and more. It protects the skin from oxidation and premature aging, helping to maintain a youthful appearance and radiant complexion. It also moisturizes the skin thanks to its formula enriched with Hyaluronic Acid and Aloe Vera.
- Spray a hydrating mist appropriate for your skin type.
Use the Brume Revitalisante for mature skin, the Brume Perfection for skin with enlarged pores, oiliness or blemishes, and the Brume Douce for sensitive, dry or irritated skin.
- Apply a vitamin C serum.
Vitamin C protects cells from oxidation. When oxidation occurs, cells are damaged, accelerating the aging process of the skin (wrinkles, aging, etc.). Vitamin C provides protection by reducing the effects of oxidation. That's why it's essential to apply a vitamin C serum, especially in the summer and before going to the beach. (It is important to note that vitamin C is not photosensitizing and actually increases photoprotection by effectively fighting free radicals).
In the Helwe line, we offer 2 Vitamin C serums:
- The Sérum Radieux, a water-soluble serum composed of 10% L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C), 0.5% ferulic acid and 1% vitamin E.
- The Sérum Éclat, a lipid-soluble serum consisting of 10% lipid-soluble vitamin C and vitamin E.
Before heading to the beach, I recommend applying Sérum Éclat because it's lipid soluble. It is composed mainly of jojoba and macadamia oils, which regulate the skin's sebum production, making it non-comedogenic. These plant oils create a barrier on the skin that makes it more resistant to chlorinated pool water and seawater, thus preventing dehydration.
- Don't forget your SPF.
We are working on a mineral, natural SPF. In the meantime, we recommend choosing a mineral SPF over a chemical one.
Unlike a chemical sunscreen, a mineral sunscreen does not penetrate the epidermis. Instead, it simply forms a layer on the skin that reflects UV rays through a mechanical action. It also works immediately after application, unlike chemical filters.
