When it comes to skincare, most people know that wearing sunscreen to protect the skin from sunburn and sun damage is important but something that is not discussed as frequently is the aftercare. Leading dermatologists and skincare experts say that aftercare is equally as important as taking preventative measures and using treatments that feature repairing and moisturising ingredients after sun exposure is a must.
Sun exposure is a healthy source of vitamin D which boosts our immune system and lifts our overall mood. However, it's crucial to build sunscreen into our daily skincare regimes to protect the skin from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays if you want to maintain a youthful and hydrated complexion.
Here are 4 tips on how to protect your skin whilst enjoying life in the sunshine.
Always Wear Sunscreen
Sun exposure is a major contributor to dehydrated skin and an accelerator of fine lines and wrinkles with the Skin Cancer Foundation reporting that 90% of visible signs of skin ageing are linked to UV rays. In this region, we’re lucky to experience sunshine every day, which means that protecting the skin is even more important. Both men and women are advised to wear a good quality SPF 50+ on their face every day, not just when sunbathing, to protect the skin from the harsh weather conditions and the extreme sunshine we experience in the Gulf. Making sunscreen part of your daily skincare routine is one of the best ways to protect your skin’s appearance and health at any age.
Avoid Mid-day Sunshine
Sun exposure can cause damage to the skin, eyes and immune system and in extreme cases can even lead to skin cancer. If you’re spending a long period of time in direct and bright light, we recommend avoiding the midday sunshine as this is when it is the strongest and most harmful.
Reapply Sunscreen Frequently
How long sunscreen lasts on your skin depends on what you’re up to. Water, humidity, sweat and towel drying can easily remove sun protection, so it is important to check the information on the sunscreen you’re wearing to know how often to reapply. The SPF factor you’re wearing will also play a part in how often you should reapply and the higher the SPF factor, the longer you’ll be protected in the sun. Sunburn is a result of infrequent application so we advise reapplying sunscreen on your face every hour, even on cloudy days, as UVA and UBV rays can penetrate through the clouds and cause sunburn and irritation.
Make After-care a Priority
After a long day in the sun when your skin has been exposed to direct sunlight, sunscreen and excessive touching, the skin can be left feeling dehydrated and irritated. This is when it is most important to be gentle with your skin and replenish the moisture that it has lost with a deeply hydrating or soothing sheet mask.
After sun exposure we recommend using the GLIST Ultra Hydro Plumping Mask or the Instant Rescue Purifying mask. The powerful concentration of hyaluronic acid in the Ultra Hydro Plumping Mask provides intensely deep hydration.
The calming compounds of allantoin in the Instant Rescue Purifying mask work to calm and soothe irritated skin and help to restore the essential nutrients and hydration your skin needs after exposure to the sun and pollution.