Sunscreen
Besides potentially preventing skin cancer, sunscreen can help reduce the cumulative damage that ages our skin.Exposure to UVA and UVB rays from the sun is the primary cause of premature aging and dark spots for both men and women. Using sunscreen on a daily basis is the absolute best way to protect yourself from looking old – before you should. Besides potentially preventing skin cancer, sunscreen can help reduce the cumulative damage that ages our skin. Most people hop in their car thinking that they are protected because they are “inside.” Surprisingly, driving is a big cause of cumulative sun damage. Try this: check out the right side of your face versus the left. You may notice more redness, sun spots and wrinkles on your left side. This is due to sun exposure through your car window. The left side is more prone to sun damage due to its proximity to the glass.
The easiest way to incorporate sunscreen into your routine is to get a daytime moisturizer with an SPF of 15 or higher. This way, you can kill two birds with one stone. Your skin gets the hydration it needs and as well as the proper level of sun protection. According to Time Magazine, those who use daily sun protection have about 24% less skin aging than those who don’t.
Product Picks
For dry skin: Epionce SPF 50 Ultra Shield Lotion
For oily skin: Jack Black Double Duty Moisturizer
Incorporating these simple skin care steps can greatly improve even the most neglected skin. As with any new routine, consistency is key. If it’s easier, start one step at a time and work your way into all four. Doing something is better than doing nothing!
Dana Gyldstrand is a licensed California esthetician. Over the course of the past 10 years, she has worked in both upscale day spa and medical spa environments. Always eager to be involved in cutting edge treatments and products, she holds certifications from many esteemed skin care companies such as: The International Dermal Institute, Skin Script Rx, Obagi, Epicuren, Cosmedix, Dermalogica and Skinceuticals. Growing up at the beach in Southern California, Dana has seen the importance of a quality skin care routine in preventing aging and skin cancer.
