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Spring Skin Sun Protection

Apr 23, 2018 | 9:09 AM

Spring has finally sprung. People are itching to get out into the yard. We’ll review some sun protection tips today so you’ll look fabulous for your age tomorrow.

 Take shade breaks. I’m not suggesting you live in the basement. Do, however, take short breaks from your face, neck and upper chest being in full sunlight – even if you’re wearing sunscreen. Your collagen will thank you down the road.

Use vitamin C. Eat it. Wear it in a skincare product at bed time. Vitamin C promotes collagen production and undoes sun damage.

Check your skincare products for glycolic acid or alpha hydroxy acids. If you suspect any of your products have this potent exfoliator, cut back on them. Thinning the skin can cause rebound pigmentation problems.

Check your products for retinol. Only use them at night time. While a decent strength of retinol is a powerful anti –ager, day time can create sun sensitivity.

Put green tea serum on before you put on sunscreen. 

A decent strength of green tea applied topically is proven to make the UV protection in your sunscreen more potent and effective.

Put sunscreen on your neck and upper chest as well as your face.  Neck and décolletage can end up looking older than the face as these areas often get no protection at all. While you’re at it, put that same quality of sun protection on your upper hands.  Then you won’t stare at them and lament how horrible they look while you’re sitting in waiting rooms twenty years from now.

Rock a big brimmed hat. Make it your signature piece. Keep shopping until you find at one that you love.

Take a tip from every celebrity fashion icon ever and wear big sunglasses with thick temples. This is done on purpose, to help protect the delicate eye area.

Less is more. We all appreciate a little of that sun kissed look but no one envies people who look leathery like my Dad’s old baseball glove.

Last but not least, love those freckles! They are adorable and sexy. Women’s magazines try to sell you goop to get rid of them. Men’s magazines idolizer them. Change your magazine subscription!