UV Protection Beyond Sunscreen: UPF Clothing, Supplements and Vitamin C
While sunscreen is a crucial element to sun protection, it is only part of the story. There are several additional steps to take for a healthy, long-term relationship with the sun. Here are a few of my favorite tips to complement sunscreen (these are not alternatives to sunscreen), providing you with comprehensive protection from the inside out.
Hats and Sunglasses
Hats and sunglasses play a significant role in shielding your skin. Opt for sun protective hats that provide ample coverage for your face, neck, chest and ears, as these areas are often exposed to the sun's rays. Choose wide-brim over a baseball cap when you can for maximum UV protection. When it comes to sunglasses, choose ones that are polarized as they offer enhanced sun protection for the delicate skin around your eyes.
Sun Protective Clothing
Long sleeves, pants, and higher necklines offer an extra layer of defense against intense sun. Lighter color clothes should have Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) to provide enough protection. This can be achieved by buying specialty clothes labeled as UPF clothing or by washing UPF protection into your clothing with a product like RIT SunGuard. A white T-shirt only has a UPF of 8, but a dark grey T-shirt has an UPF of 98, so dark clothing is another great option. Coolibar is one of my favorite brands of UPF clothing, but many brands are making sun protective clothing now.
Seek Shade
Don’t ever lie in the sun solely for the sake of getting tan. Seek shade whenever you can, particularly during the hottest hours of the day. Go for your run or hike in the early morning or late afternoon. Take a break from the beach or pool to have lunch in the shade. If you can afford it, pay for the cabana or find an umbrella to always have shade available. It is cheaper than paying to fix your skin.
Oral Supplements
Did you know there are oral supplements available that can help protect your skin from the sun? These supplements should not replace sunscreen, but can be used in conjunction with it. The active ingredient in these supplements, polypodium leucotomos, works to enhance your body's natural defense against UV radiation. Some notable brands include Heliocare and ISDIN. Taking these supplements throughout the summer can help minimize the potential damage caused by sun exposure.
Vitamin C Serums
Vitamin C serums offer numerous benefits for your skin, including protection against the sun's harmful UV rays. Applying a well-formulated vitamin C serum in the morning is going to help your sunscreen work better. Doctor Rogers Day Preventative Treatment is particularly well-formulated for preventing and correcting sun damage because it has three powerful antioxidants that work synergistically to protect your skin. These are explained in greater detail below:
- Bis (Cyano Butylacetate) Anthracenediylidene
- A proactive antioxidant that suppresses the formation of free radicals.
- Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
- A lipid-soluble form of vitamin C that is better tolerated than other forms of vitamin C such as l-asorbic acid.
- Collects the free radicals so they cannot penetrate deeper into the skin
- Acetyl Zingerone
- Slows and corrects damage to the skin after UV exposure
- Stabilizes the vitamin C to make it work better
These are then mixed with skin supportive ingredients like squalene, glycerin and probiotics to improve tolerability.
Before heading outside, apply Day Preventive Treatment to your face, neck, chest, and the backs of your hands. This will provide an additional layer of defense against the sun's UV radiation. If you have spent a significant amount of time outdoors and suspect sun damage occurred, consider using it afterward to mitigate the potential damage.
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