Feeling the heat of the sun on our face feels divine, but we know too well the adverse effects of prolonged sun exposure and the impact this has on the skin’s appearance, drying it out, increasing lines and damaging cells.  I am an advocate of balance in life and we need sun exposure for our bodies to function healthily. Holiday’s in the sun or after the beautiful sunny summer we have had, you may have seen a little more sun that would be considered healthy.

 

Free radical damage, a bi product of sun exposure is the primary contributor to the visible effects of ageing. They attack collagen, elastin and DNA resulting in increased skin ageing and pigmentation. Ingredients in skincare products can be really helpful in the fight against premature ageing, preventing and restoring this damage. 

 

Ingredients to pack in your post holiday skin kit must contain high antioxidants to work on this increased free radical attack. Antioxidants are the biggie when it comes to fighting free radical damage, stimulating blood flow and encourage the growth of new healthy cells make sun-damaged skin appear younger and prevent against further damage. Many antioxidant-rich beauty products are available for treating sun damage, including cleansers, serums and  moisturisers that you can use on the body as well as the face. Look for ingredients such as L-ascorbic acid, aka Vitamin C, this plays a crucial role in two processes that become very important as we get older—collagen synthesis and helping to normalise hyper-pigmentation.

 

Skin serums – Layer up your post sun skincare with a power punching antioxidant serum, there are many available, a personal favourite Medik8’s CE Tetra, feels great on the skin and absorbs beautifully.

Moisturise – Up your miniaturisation morning and night to rehydrate skin cells. There are many cell repairing ingredients and hydrating oils, look for vitamin E which is the  chief fat-soluble antioxidant. When Vitamin E quenches free radicals it becomes a Vitamin E radical, which then uses Vitamin C to return it to its antioxidant state. Combining Vitamin C and E gives a powerful combination in skincare. Sisley’s Sisleÿa Global Anti-Age cream is a dream. 

 

Mask it – a supper quick and easy way to restore sun exposed skin is with a good face mask, choose something with aha’s or fruit acids to gently exfoliate and brighten, then some mega moisture aspect and anti-age ingredients. Natura Bisse Diamond ice-lift DNA cry-mask is a real power house of ingredients. 

Brush up your body – Dry body brushing not only aids your health, stimulating blood and lymph circulation it brightens and boosts the outer appearance of the skin. Combine with a gentle body exfoliator that contains alpha-hydroxy acids or fruit enzymes, this will help get rid of any product build-up and remove dead skin cells. Natura bisse C+C vitamin body scrub, this is going to make your moisturiser absorb further, so moisturise your body daily, these can also be packed with antioxidants not just essential oil.

 

Dry Hair treatment

You really can’t over-condition hair after a summer of sun, salt and chlorine. Load up on conditioners that hydrate with coconut or olive oil, or Shea butter. If you have the time, leave it on for as long as possible and just rinse thoroughly. I have fallen in Love with Liz Earle Botanical shine hair oil, this has single handedly turned my hair around from rough candy floss to soft and smooth locks.