As the summer holidays approach, many of us look forward to soaking up the warm sun, relaxing by the beach, and restoring our mind, body and soul. While many experts will recommend high factor protection SPF as your most important skincare product, it's worth noting that moderate sun exposure can have several benefits for our overall health and well-being. In this blog, we'll look at the significance of summer skincare and the advantages of limited sun exposure.
One of the most widely accepted benefits of moderate sun exposure is the production of vitamin D in our bodies. Vitamin D plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy bones, supporting the immune system, and regulating mood with emerging research pointing to more and more benefits. When our skin is exposed to sunlight (specifically UVB (B for burning) rays), it synthesises vitamin D, which is essential for the absorption of calcium and phosphorus. So, spending some time in the sun during your summer holiday can contribute to maintaining optimal vitamin D levels. Good to know for this is the fact that the majority of our Vitamin D conversion takes place on the trunk or the arms/legs of the body, with very few Vitamin D receptors on the face, so by all means – apply your broad spectrum SPF diligently to your face, but try to expose your extremities to the sun for 10-15 minutes a day.
Sunshine also has a remarkable impact on our mood and mental well-being. The warm rays of the sun trigger the release of serotonin, AKA the "happy hormone." Serotonin helps uplift our mood, reduce stress, and promote a sense of overall well-being. Soaking up the sun during your summer holiday can be an excellent natural mood booster and leave you feeling refreshed and revitalised.
Moderate sun exposure has also been shown to provide relief for certain skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, and acne. The UV rays in sunlight have anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce the symptoms of these conditions. However, it's crucial to note that you shouldn’t rely solely on sun exposure as a treatment method, as individual needs may vary and some of the products used to treat these skin conditions can increase sun sensitivity – best to speak to your skincare professional.
Sun exposure during the day is also important for regulating your body's natural sleep-wake cycle. Exposure to natural light, especially in the morning, stimulates the production of melatonin—a hormone that helps regulate sleep patterns. A well-rested summer holiday can be the perfect opportunity to reset your sleep schedule and improve the quality of your sleep.
While it's important to enjoy the sun responsibly and take precautions to protect your skin, moderate sun exposure can bring several benefits, but these benefits can easily be disrupted by too much sun. While making the most of your summer holiday and enjoying the positive effects it can have on your overall health and wellness, it’s crucially important to strike a balance between enjoying the sun and taking care of your skin, and this is where consulting with your Juvenate Regenerative Skin Therapist will be invaluable. One of the most important things to consider is that your face and neck should be protected from UV at all times, and not just with any old sunscreen as not all sunscreens are created equal. A well formulated sunscreen does so much more than just protect you from sunburn.
When it comes to balancing the benefits of sun and protecting the skin from the harmful effects of the sun, sunscreen remains an essential component of your skin routine. Juvenate ReShield SPF20 goes beyond sun protection and incorporates skin restoring , repairing and anti-inflammatory ingredients, offering additional benefits to skin.
1. Reduces Sunburn and Inflammation:
Sunburn is a common consequence of excessive sun exposure. It occurs when the skin's DNA is damaged by ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Juvenate ReShield contains anti-inflammatory ingredients, such as aloe vera, vitamin C and hemp seed oil, which all help soothe sunburned skin and reduce inflammation. These ingredients possess natural anti-inflammatory properties that can calm and cool the skin, providing relief from redness, swelling, and discomfort. Extra bonus is that hemp seed oil is the perfect oil regulator for both oily and dry skins, whilst providing a natural SPF of 6
2. Combats Skin Aging and hyperpigmentation:
Long-term excessive sun exposure can accelerate the aging process of the skin, leading to wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging. UV radiation generates free radicals that damage collagen and elastin fibres, which are essential for maintaining skin elasticity. Application of the anti-inflammatory ingredients in ReShield, such as the antioxidant vitamin C can help neutralise free radicals and even better when combined with hyaluronic acid, help to minimise and repair the signs of aging while assisting natural repair functions.
It is well known that excessive sun exposure can trigger an overproduction of melanin, resulting in hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and uneven skin tone. Anti-inflammatory ingredients can help inhibit melanin synthesis and reduce the appearance of existing hyperpigmentation. By using ReShield with these ingredients, you can protect your skin from further damage and promote a more even complexion.
3. Calms Skin Conditions:
ReShield with its many anti-inflammatory properties can be beneficial for individuals with sensitive or reactive skin, as well as those prone to skin conditions like rosacea, eczema, or acne. Ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide help soothe irritated skin, reduce redness, and alleviate symptoms associated with these conditions. Additionally, anti-inflammatory sunscreen can provide a protective barrier against environmental triggers that can worsen skin conditions. An SPF industry first ingredient in ReShield not only has studies to show its efficacy in protecting against UVA, UVB, Infrared and also visible light (AVL) but also has incredible healing and regenerative properties that will ease any aggressed skin, from excema and other barrier concerns right through to repairing sunburn. By using a sunscreen with regenerative and anti-inflammatory ingredients, you are not only protecting your skin from the harmful effects of the sun but also nourishing and enhancing its overall health.
4. Multiple use
ReShield SPF20 is available in both a tinted and untinted version. The tinted easily doubles as a BB crème for the days you like a fresh faced look and both the tinted and untinted versions act as a perfect primer for your regular foundation, giving a silky base that helps even skin tone and appearance.
If your skin has reacted after too much gluten/wine/ sugar… a layer of ReShield applied like a mask and left on for 20minutes (or even better, sleep with ReShield on skin) will calm appearance and ease heat/itch /discomfort.
Acne prone skins can also benefit from a layer of ReShield either as moisturiser or as a serum under treatment moisturiser, including premenstrual jawline/chin acne.
Enhancing Overall Summer Skin Health:
Going into the skin challenging environment of summer is the perfect time to visit your Juvenate Regenerative Skin Therapist. It could be that now is the time to look at extra protection for your skin. Sometimes the smallest changes yield huge results, your Juvenate therapist may recommend a mist that you can use multiple times during the day to cool and refresh while also protecting against adverse environment and supporting your skin microbiome, Juvenate Phytoprotect Mist does this beautifully. Or a change in moisturiser texture or serum could be called for, or keeping a soothing Juvenate biocellulose Face and Neck mask in the fridge at home, ready for when life overwhelms you might be your saving grace going into the summer.
Most importantly, don’t overdo the sun exposure, don’t rely on high SPF and if by chance you do catch a little too much sun – a thick layer of ReShield with it’s antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and healing properties will be at hand to help!
Enjoy your summer!