Summer is finally here, bringing the beautiful season of holidays, Christmas, and time spent outdoors.
Lin, multi-award-winning skin therapist and founder of the New Zealand Corneotherapy Institute, writes for Verve about being sun-smart this summer.
Sun exposure is often stated as one of the strongest external contributors to premature ageing and DNA damage linked to the development of skin cancer. In many ways that’s true, sun damage is irreversible, therefore preventative skincare is the ultimate way to maintain skin health and appearance. Let’s dig a little deeper into suncare terminology.
The two types of sunlight that reach the surface of our planet are UVA and UVB. To make the difference easier to remember, UVA is responsible for ageing and damage, and UVB is the one causing the burn. Most retail suncare products contain chemical filters such as oxybenzone. They are effective at filtering the UVB light and preventing burns, however, they allow most of the UVA light to penetrate the skin, causing long-term damage. Sunblocks, unlike chemical filters, are zinc oxide-based and provide physical protection that prevents sunlight from penetrating into the skin – both UVA and UVB. Modern professional sunblocks are based on micronised zinc oxide, making application easy, and the added tint helps conceal the whiteness of zinc and evens skin tone. The benefit of topical zinc is its antimicrobial properties which can help with skin inflammation or pathogens, as well as its safety for skin barrier function and hormones, while recent research has shown that components of chemical sunscreen filters are associated with hormonal disruptions and long-term health risks.
Though sun protection is the number one priority for summer skincare, hot weather doesn’t mean we need to leave other skin goals for cooler seasons. Concerns like pigmentation, ageing, sensitivity, or inflammation can be addressed through lighter water-based products containing functional actives. In particular, topical niacinamide (vitamin B3) in combination with vitamin C can be very helpful in treating pigmentation and avoiding free radical damage. The active ingredient to be careful with during summer is all types of topical retinols (vitamin A), as they can increase the photosensitivity of skin associated with pigmentation and damage. Retinoids are to be used at night only during all seasons, and if you’re planning to spend time at the beach, it would be a good idea to take a break from retinol and swap to hyaluronic acid or niacinamide for extra hydration and protection.
Although zinc-based sunblocks are non-negotiable, please remember that no suncare product will provide effective protection all day long. The most reliable way to protect your skin is a layer of light fabric and a beautiful hat, especially from 10am to 4pm. Have an enjoyable summer and feel free to reach out to our new online resource at corneotherapy.nz for a complimentary skincare consultation with me and to shop for clean, professional, cruelty-free skincare.
Warm regards, Lin, NZCI
Featured products: O Cosmedics Mineral Pro Tinted and Suntegrity 5-in1 Tinted moisturiser SPF 30+.
Available at corneotherapy.nz.
