Empower Your Skin Within Part Three: Empower Your Skin With Daily UV Repair

In our ‘Empower Your Skin Within’ series, we are exploring three foundational lifestyle habits that strengthen your skin’s natural defenses from the inside out:
• In Part 1 {click here}, we explored the power of antioxidants and polyphenols.
• In Part 2 {click here}, we looked at how proper hydration can help skin stay healthy, resilient, and radiant all summer long.
• In Part 3, the final part of the series, we will look at empowering your skin with daily ultraviolet repair.

Empower with Daily UV Repair
If you love the outdoors, you are probably enjoying your ‘fun in the sun’ during these warm summer days.

But even if you practice a summer safety skincare routine, you can still suffer from exposure to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays.

“For those who spend time outdoors, we recommend implementing a post-sun skincare practice that includes exfoliating, using repair serums and applying moisturizers,” says Richard Price, M.D., of Price Skincare Clinic, Ridgeland, MS. “Including some, or all of these into your evening skincare routine is essential in helping to repair and soothe the skin after exposure to UV rays.”

Empower with Post-Sun Exfoliation
Exfoliating your skin after sun exposure can help remove any dead skin cells, prevent peeling and facilitate the skin’s natural renewal process.

With gentle exfoliation, fresh, healthy skin cells will surface, contributing to a smoother and more even complexion.

Exfoliating is also crucial in preparing your skin to absorb hydrating and nourishing products such as repair serums and moisturizers.

Follow these steps to exfoliate:
• Exfoliate gently to avoid irritation to sensitive skin.
• Choose an exfoliant with soothing ingredients such as aloe vera or chamomile, which can help in calming the skin while sloughing off dead skin.
• Once you’ve exfoliated, avoid the sun as much as possible for the rest of the day to prevent sensitivity.
• Finally, follow up with a broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect your skin from potential UV damage.

Empower with Repair Serums
After exfoliating, use a repair serum to help your skin recover from the potentially damaging effects of sun exposure. Effective repair serums contain active ingredients that focus on hydrating the skin, soothing inflammation and promoting repair.

You should choose a repair serum that meets your specific skin needs and addresses the extent of sun exposure you’ve experienced.

Here are four categories to consider in terms of prioritizing or integrating into your post-sun skincare routine:

Hydration: If your skin feels dry and tight, prioritize a serum with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid. This helps replenish moisture and restore suppleness.

Soothing Agents: If you have noticeable redness or irritation, choose serums with soothing ingredients such as aloe vera or chamomile. These ingredients calm inflamed skin and provide relief.

Antioxidants: If you’re concerned about long-term sun damage, adding an antioxidant serum to your skincare program is ideal. Ingredients like vitamin C help neutralize harmful free radicals and prevent further damage.

Repair and Renewal: If you want to focus on strengthening your skin barrier and promote overall skin health, serums with peptides or niacinamide can be beneficial. These are particularly useful if you’ve suffered mild sunburn or are looking to improve skin texture.

For comprehensive skincare giving you the benefits of some or all the above, use serums that combine several of these elements.

Empower with Gentle Moisturizers
The most crucial thing you can do for your skin after sun exposure, is to rehydrate the skin.
Look for a gentle moisturizer that can help soothe and repair the skin barrier.

Use products with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or aloe vera, which provide hydration without irritation. These moisturizers can also contain antioxidants to fight free radical damage caused by UV exposure.

In Conclusion
Empowering your skin with post-sun exfoliation, nourishing repair serums and hydrating moisturizers complement your ongoing skincare routine and help keep your skin healthy.

By taking proactive steps to empower your skin with a daily UV repair skincare routine you are not only investing in the health of your skin today, but in your skin’s future resilience.

Remember that your first line of defense against the sun is an annual skin check performed by a trained skin health professional.

If you haven’t had your annual skin check this year, call us at 601.992.3996 and we’ll schedule your appointment.