Your 3 Best Skin-Protection Strategies
Our skin acts as our outermost line of defense from the world around us. It shields our bodies from environmental pollutants, stressors, and the devastating UV radiation emitted by the sun. It protects us from exposure to germs and infections, retains our bodies’ natural moisture, and defends underlying structures such as organs, nerves, and blood vessels from destructive foreign elements. And though our skin is resilient – able to repair itself from minor disturbance and injury – without appropriate skin-protection strategies, its health will diminish, its vitality will drain, and its outward appearance will begin to reflect years of weathering and exposure. However, by following three simple precautionary measures, we can assist in supporting our skin’s health, functionality, and beauty.
Strategy #1: Apply Sunscreen Daily
Sunscreen is fundamental for all skin-protection regimens and is the most-effective tool for combating harmful UV radiation that prematurely ages our skin, inhibits cellular growth and regeneration, and is the leading cause of skin cancer (which accounts for more yearly diagnoses than cancers of the breast, prostate, lung, and colon combined). An ideal sunscreen is applied daily without leaving behind greasy or unsightly residues and can be used in conjunction with any specialized skin care regimen. Physical sunscreens with an SPF rating of 30 or higher are optimal, as they use only natural ingredients to reflect UVA and UVB rays without introducing the skin to any foreign chemicals.
It is crucial to remember the importance of applying sunscreen every day throughout the year, no matter the weather, as UV radiation is harmful even through the thickest cloud cover. The sun’s rays are every bit as harmful in winter as they are now in July; skin protection must occur year-round.
An excellent sunscreen is SkinMedica’s Total Defense + Repair Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 50+, a revolutionary superscreen that goes beyond UV protection to defend against harmful infrared rays while supporting the skin’s ability to restore itself. The ultra-light emulsion is easily spreadable and instantly absorbed and forms a protective smart pro-shield. With its high SPF protection, it’s a great year-round sunscreen.
Strategy #2: Moisturize
Moisturizing not only leaves skin looking healthy and youthful, but also promotes skin health through water retention and encouraging cellular regeneration. Even for individuals prone to oily skin, moisturizing helps prevent premature aging; reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles; and helps with inflammation, redness, and irritation.
When shopping for moisturizers, look for products with active ingredients such as vitamin B3 and hyaluronic acid, as these will give you the maximum amount of skin protection while promoting microcirculation, reducing water loss, and increasing your skin’s natural lipid levels, which play a crucial role in the skin’s barrier function.
Moisturizers can be found to fit all skin types, are supplied through an array of vehicles such as creams, gels, and serums, and are key components in keeping the skin healthy and protected. One of our favorites is Alastin Skincare’s Ultra Nourishing Moisturizer with TriHex Technology. This moisturizer delivers soothing, satisfying moisture to the face, neck, and décolleté. It offers all the benefits of a premium moisturizer, plus the treatment benefits of TriHex Technology to restore and maintain skin health for a vibrant, youthful appearance.
Strategy #3: Use Products with Active Ingredients
Skin care products are a terrific way to maintain your skin through a personalized regimen, and active ingredients such as vitamins, acids, and peptides will not only keep your skin looking radiant and feeling smooth, but also help change the physiology of your skin.
Vitamin C, for example, when applied topically, is a powerful antioxidant that contains anti-inflammatory properties, stimulates collagen production, promotes wound healing, and is necessary for tissue growth and repair. Schedule a consultation with one of our skin care professionals to discover which products and ingredients work best for your needs.
To be truly beautiful, skin must first be healthy. By implementing a few skin-protection techniques designed to shield our skin from dangerous elements while providing it with the nutrients it needs to function well, we can ensure that our skin will reflect its true beauty and radiance while sheltering our bodies for years to come.