It’s summertime — the sun is out, and your energy is up! There are so many benefits to spending time outdoors, like filling up your vitamin D levels and reducing inflammation. Some studies even show that exercising outside can even increase the calories you burn.
But, while fun in the sun is great, it can also harm your skin health.
Too much time in the sun can cause…
✅ Sunburn
✅ Dry, flaky skin
✅ Premature aging and wrinkles
✅ Changes in your skin collagen (a.k.a fine lines)
The culprit? UV Rays. Both UVA (which causes aging and wrinkles) and UVB rays (which results in a sunburn) break through your skin’s surface and can contribute to long-term damage.
But before you run inside and hide from the sun, we’re here to tell you the 3 things you can do to protect yourself from sun damage.
1. Always apply SPF
Wear sunscreen every single day. Even if you’re not spending time at the beach or outside, you should always apply SPF to your face and body. Mineral-based sunscreens (even though they’re harder to rub in) are a great option since they contain fewer dangerous chemicals and are less environmentally damaging.
UV rays are harmful all year round, so don’t skip this step come fall or winter. Protective gear like sunglasses and a hat is another great way to protect your precious skin.
2. Treat your skin post-sun
After being outside in the sun, you can preserve your skin by using moisturizers, oils, and masks. Aloe vera is the most common post-sun product, but coconut oil, vitamin E, and shea butter are also great.
A face mask will hydrate your skin, remove excess oils, and help improve the appearance of your pores. Depending on the type of mask you use, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes are absorbed straight into your skin for lasting benefits your skin will thank you for!
3. Eat antioxidant-rich foods
Even when you’re extra thorough when applying (and reapplying) SPF, sunscreen won’t protect you from oxidative stress. Here’s why…
UV rays from sunlight damage your skin cells through oxidative stress and result in skin damage. But antioxidants fight back! They neutralize free-radical damage caused by the sun and can help replenish your skin. Berries, leafy greens, and even walnuts are packed with antioxidants. You really can nourish your skin from the inside out.
Acerola cherries have 32x more vitamin C than oranges, making them our go-to superfood for replenishing our skin. We’ve added them to our Forever Beautiful Mix - your superfood mix for healthy skin.
It’s no secret that beauty starts from the inside out. Nutrition and lifestyle both contribute to your radiant glow, as well as applying your daily sunscreen (clouds or no clouds!).