Heliophilia: (n.) desire to stay in the sun, lover of sunlight
While maintaining your rockin’ bod & checking off bucket list ideas this summer, don’t forget about your skin! I’ve given some insight into my favorite & most effective suggestions on how to keep or acquire luminous skin.
1. Don't skip out on sunscreen. If you don’t do anything else (& by all means, please don’t!), wear your sunscreen! Sunscreen is THE best anti-aging product/treatment you’ll ever use over time.
Aside from applying sunscreen at the beginning of each day, your best bet is to re-apply throughout the day, especially if you are in direct sun exposure such as at the beach or on a hike.
Make sure to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen, which will protect you from UVA (aging sun rays) & UVB (burning sun rays).
Depending on your preference, there is a plethora of chemical and physical sunscreens to choose from. Using products infused with antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and green tea will help fight off free radicals and reverse sun damage as well.
As sunscreen is a controversial discussion, I will expand more on this topic on another day. FYI: Don’t pay so much attention to the SPF number. An SPF of 30 only offers 4% more protection than an SPF of 15, for example. Apply, reapply, repeat, & enjoy soaking up that sacred vitamin D!
Dr. Bahman Guyuron revealed shocking comparison headshots from an identical twin study seeking the correlation of life habits and genetics. This photo speaks for itself. Clearly, the twin on the right-hand side admitted to worshipping the sun throughout her life with evidently neglecting sun protection (having also smoked cigarettes for 16 years) while the other twin disclosed she did her best to avoid sun exposure. Wear. Your. Sunscreen.
2. Be mindful when you exfoliate. Lay low on the exfoliation if you are spending the majority of your summer outdoors. Exfoliating the skin effectively removes dead skin cells, revealing new, healthy skin below. You want to keep this skin healthy, not increase pigmentation or risk getting a sunburn!
Exfoliating the skin can increase your sensitivity to the sun by approximately 45% (scary, right?!). If you’re looking into receiving deeper exfoliating treatments such as chemical peels or microdermabrasion, hold that thought until the weather starts cooling down.
This being said, all exfoliation is not off limits. Try using a facial scrub or sonic brush (Ex; Clarisonic) twice a week and gentle serums with active ingredients; preferably not the day of or before direct sun exposure.
3. Give love to your lips. Coming from the lipstick queen, I am always conscious of the condition of my lips! The dry and cracked aftermath from a day at the beach is my worst nightmare. I do have a solution that tends to work exceptionally well for me considering how simple it is. Coconut oil + sugar = the world’s cheapest & easiest lip scrub! Mix together, apply to lips, allow to sit for 10 minutes, gently remove with warm water, & lastly, apply your cherished lip balm for silky, luscious lips!
Much love to you all. The mermaids are with you, inspiring you daily to uproot false beliefs of beauty & manifest the alluring Divine within you so that others can immerse themselves in your infectious aura.
xo, SK <3
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