With the arrival of fine weather, the time spent outdoors and exposure to the sun increases. However, this can cause several problems, ranging from a simple sunburn to skin cancer. That's why it's important to adopt the right habits. Find here our advice for making the most of the sun without risking harm to your skin.
The correct precautions to take before, during, and after exposure to the sun.
Summary
Published on October 4, 2024, by Pauline, Chemical Engineer — 10 min of reading
Themes:
What habits should one adopt before exposing oneself to the sun?
Proper skin preparation helps to increase your chances of achieving a uniform and long-lasting tan. Here are some simple steps to prepare your skin for the sun.
Hydrating one's skin.
When the skin is dehydrated, or when its hydrolipidic film is compromised, its protection against the sun's UV rays is diminished. Indeed, this acts as a protective veil on its surface. To prevent the skin from displaying a sun-reddened colour instead of a beautiful brown glow, it is advisable to choose a moisturising cream and apply it daily, morning and evening. Enriched with hygroscopic and film-forming active ingredients, this treatment has a protective action and helps to strengthen the hydrolipidic film.
The essentials? To provide your skin with the hydration it requires, our face cream with 9 ingredients and our body moisturising cream with 10 ingredients could be perfect treatments. With a light and non-greasy texture, their minimalist formula helps to hydrate and nourish the epidermis.
Exfoliating one's skin.
To eliminate the dead cells that accumulate on the skin's surface and dull your complexion, a gentle exfoliation is recommended. Furthermore, this allows for smooth and even skin, ready for uniform tanning. This action should be performed three days before your sunbathing session. It will help to unify your skin, which will subsequently facilitate the uniformity of the tan. However, it is advised against exfoliating your skin the day before sun exposure, as it may weaken the skin and promote the occurrence of sunburn.
Your essentials? 100% natural origin, our nourishing body scrub gently removes accumulated dead cells, and also nourishes, softens and smoothens the epidermis with the presence ofsweet almond oil (INCI: Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil). Although suitable for all skin types, it is particularly suitable for dry and uncomfortable skin. For the face, our peeling gel mask composed of an exfoliating complex (4 AHA + 1 PHA) works to even out the complexion, refine the skin texture and eliminate dead cells.
Consuming foods that promote tanning.
Opt for foods containing beta-carotene, such as carrots, pumpkins, mangoes, peaches... This compound, a precursor to vitamin A, aids in enhancing tanning by stimulating the production of melanin and better protecting it from the sun. As an antioxidant, it effectively reduces the damage caused by free radicals.
Do not hesitate to also rely on the copper, which is notably present in almonds and walnuts. This trace element is a co-factor of tyrosinase, the key enzyme in melanogenesis. For a tanned and luminous complexion, the consumption of tyrosine, a precursor of melanin, is also recommended to optimise your tan.
Beyond traditional foods, these various nutrients are also found in dietary supplements. They indeed have the advantage of being more concentrated in elements than natural foods, which enhances their effectiveness.
Use tan-enhancing skincare products.
Typically applied two weeks before exposure, tanning activators help to prepare the synthesis of melanin. These treatments usually contain beta-carotenes or peptides to stimulate melanogenesis. Most tanning activators are also formulated with antioxidant molecules, such as vitamin E or polyphenols, to provide skin protection against the harmful action of free radicals, produced following UV exposure.
Protect yourself with a broad-spectrum sunscreen.
Applying a sunscreen creates a protective shield against UV rays, which are responsible for accelerating skin ageing (dryness, loss of elasticity, appearance of wrinkles and brown spots, loss of radiance...), sunburn and skin cancers. Contrary to popular belief, sun care products do not hinder tanning. On the contrary, the skin cannot maintain a beautiful, lasting tan if it is not protected. Moreover, when you apply your sunscreen, do not hesitate to do so in a thick layer. A quantity of cream that is too small would not allow for the maximum protection it can offer, corresponding to the indicated SPF.
This SPF index can also serve as agauge when you are choosing your sunscreen. For instance, if you are preparing to expose yourself in the mountains or at the beach, where the sun's UV rays are most intense due to altitude and reflection on sand or snow, we advise you to use an SPF 50 or higher. Some sun care products also adapt to the skin type. Indeed, there are now mattifying sunscreens for oily skin and moisturising sunscreens, more suitable for dry skin.
Let us finally note that the application of sunscreen is essential for everyone, including those with the darkest phototypes. It is often thought that people with darker skin are not affected by UV rays. However, while they do naturally have better sun protection, they can certainly develop sunburn or more serious skin conditions.
Your allies? At Typology, we offer a whole range of sun care products for the body and face, ranging from SPF 30 to 50. These creams prevent photoaging and maintain skin hydration thanks to the combination of mineral and organic filters offering broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection.
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The correct habits during sun exposure.
As a reminder, the sun's UVA rays reach the dermis and are the cause of skin photoaging. UVB rays penetrate less deeply but can cause sunburn.
Expose yourself gradually and avoid the times when the sun's UV rays are at their most intense, which is between 12pm and 4pm.
Reapply your sun care product every two hours, after each swim or in case of excessive sweating.
It is important to know that clouds, parasols, and glass windows allow approximately 80% of UV rays to pass through. Therefore, do not forget to use your sunscreen, even if the sky is overcast.
Protect yourself with covering clothing, a hat, and sunglasses, even after applying sunscreen.
Drink regularly to prevent skin dryness associated with sun exposure. Moreover, this reduces the risk of headaches and sunstroke that can occur during prolonged exposure.
What to do after sun exposure?
After exposure to the sun, the skin becomes more delicate and it is necessary to provide it with particular attention and specific care.
A good shower.
This action may seem mundane, but showering after sun exposure is highly recommended. In addition to removing sand and salt residues on your skin if you've just returned from the beach, a shower helps toremove all the sun filters from your cream.
Refresh and soothe your skin from sensations of heat.
It is not uncommon to experience slight warming sensations on the skin following sun exposure. It's worth noting that these could be simple irritations and not necessarily sunburn. Regardless, it is beneficial to soothe your skin and replenish its epidermis after sunbathing. To do this, you can apply an after-sun care product to your skin after showering. This type of care works by providing the skin with soothing active ingredients, such as aloe vera for instance, and nourishing ones, like shea butter or avocado oil.
Intensely hydrating one's skin.
After exposure to the sun, your epidermis can become weakened and dehydrated. To restore the hydrolipidic film on its surface and compensate for the water loss it has undergone, continue to apply your usual moisturising cream, focusing on the areas that have been most exposed. Creams contain humectants, which help to retain water in the epidermis, but sometimes also emollients, molecules that provide softness to the skin.
