Sun damage takes its toll on the skin in numerous ways. From wrinkles to dark spots to dullness, the oxidative stress caused by the sun builds up in the skin over the years, meaning that the signs of sun damage aren’t usually noticed until the later stages of life.
Once that happens, however, it’s easy to panic and lament your neglect of sunscreen in your younger years. While it’s true that prevention is always the best strategy, don’t panic – there’s still plenty that you can do to repair the appearance of sun damaged skin and restore a healthier finish to your complexion. Ready to get started? Here are some top tips from Introstem:
Get Serious About SPF
Let’s be honest – the reason that you’re currently dealing with sun damage is because you weren’t committed enough to SPF earlier on in your life. Sure, SPF isn’t going to block 100% of the sun’s UV rays, but keeping your skin covered at all hours of the day, year-round, would have saved you from experiencing up to 80% of the signs of sun damage you’re now facing.
So, the very first step that you should take should be to put this right and start taking SPF seriously. You’re never going to be able to restore healthy-looking skin if you’re still allowing the sun to cause damage, so this needs to stop ASAP.
SPF becomes much easier to commit to when you have an SPF product that you genuinely enjoy using. The Introstem PrismaStem Face Shield Cream SPF 30, for instance, brings a touch of decadence to sun protection. In addition to protecting your skin from the sun, it also provides an array of hydrating ingredients and antioxidants – just like every good moisturizer should! Between aloe vera, grape stem cells, vitamin E, and green tea extract, it will protect your skin from the sun while also negating the visible effects of existing UV damage.
Of course, it would be worth taking some additional sun protection measures too. Stay in the shade during the sun’s hottest hours and invest in a few sun protecting accessories. A wide-brimmed hat paired with some oversized sunglasses can do a lot to shelter your face from UV rays.
Exfoliate With Hydroxy Acids
The sun’s damage runs deep. It’s not just your surface skin cells that are affected – those UV rays reach your deeper skin cells too, layers that aren’t easily accessed by topical products. This is exactly why the appearance of sun damage can take so long to dissipate.
One way to speed things up is by regularly exfoliating your skin. Although this only removes the damaged outer layer of skin cells, each time you exfoliate, you’ll be taking a little more of that visible damage away. With that said, don’t try to remove too much of this in one go. You’ll need to take it slowly to avoid over-exfoliating your skin, which will only make your complexion worse.
When dealing with sun damage, the best way to exfoliate is with alpha-hydroxy acids, or AHAs. Although these ingredients are acids, they’re actually far gentler on the skin than some of the more aggressive scrubs out there. This makes them better suited to skin that has undergone sun damage.
If you don’t already have an AHA-infused exfoliator, check out the Introstem VitisCell Fresh Revive Peeling. It makes use of mandelic acid, which is famous for being the gentlest AHA available. It also contains a long list of antioxidants, from vitamins A, C, and E to grape stem cells. As you’re about to find out, antioxidants are everything when you’re trying to reverse the look of sun damage…
Fill Your Skincare Routine With Antioxidants
Why, exactly, are antioxidants so important? Because they neutralize the visible effects of free radical damage, which is exactly what occurs when UV rays come into contact with your skin cells. Not only does this slow down and prevent the appearance of sun damage, but it will also help to eradicate the look of the damaged skin you’re currently battling with.
Even better, some antioxidants, like vitamin C, are known to boost how protected the skin feels when sunscreen is applied. Combine your SPF with antioxidants and you’ll be able to save your complexion from harm.
The best way to lavish your skin with antioxidants is with an antioxidant serum. You don’t need to choose just one either – layer a couple of serums onto your skin to really enhance the range of antioxidants you’re giving to your skin.
Our recommendation would be to start with the Introstem VitisCell Brightening Vita-C Serum. With two forms of vitamin C, along with a selection of other antioxidants, this formula covers all bases. You can then power this up even more by following on with the PrismaStem Moisture Boost Serum from the Introstem PrismaStem Collection. This serum contains a blend of botanical extracts that are each known for featuring a superior antioxidant selection. From jasmine and lavender to ginkgo biloba and grape stem cells, these extracts provide some truly potent antioxidant compounds.
Rehydrate Your Damaged Skin
While wrinkles and dark spots tend to be the most lamented signs of sun damage that people experience, dehydration is another one to keep an eye out for. The way in which the sun’s UV rays weaken and interfere with the skin’s natural protective barrier prevents this layer from functioning properly. As a result, it struggles with moisture retention, leaving skin cells thirsty.
When it comes down to it, even if you give your skin the very best ingredients, you won’t be able to do much to ‘fix’ your complexion unless your skin cells are also hydrated. They require moisture for every single process, so give them plenty of this if you want them to thrive.
The best way to hydrate your skin is to start with a hydrating serum, like the Introstem ThermoStem Serum. There are several renowned hydrating ingredients in this blend, including sodium hyaluronate, peptides, glycerin, and allantoin. They’re all humectants, meaning that they bind moisture to the skin to provide a quick source of hydration.
Of course, since the sun has damaged your skin barrier, it won’t be long before the moisture drawn in by that serum ends up evaporating away. To prevent this, you’ll need to lock your hydrating serum in with a moisturizer. Pick a formula that’s compatible with your skin type. The EmberCell Hydrating Cream from the Introstem EmberCell Collection, for example, is ideal for combination and oily skin types. Meanwhile, those with dry or sensitive skin would really benefit from the Introstem VitisCell Radiance Overnight Cream.
Turn to Aloe Vera
You’re probably already aware of how aloe vera is a go-to for when you’re experiencing a sunburn. It contains a compound called aloin, which soothes the feeling of inflammation. This, combined with aloe vera’s cooling and hydrating effects, provides instant relief to skin that feels like it’s on fire!
What many don’t realize, however, is that aloe vera can help with the appearance of long-term sun damage too. It’s brimming with bioactive compounds, many of which are powerful antioxidants. Make this ingredient a regular part of your skincare routine and you’ll be able to put a stop to the appearance of inflammation, wrinkles, discoloration, and everything else that the sun’s UV rays have thrown at you.
While some prefer to buy an aloe vera plant and extract the fresh gel themselves, it’s much easier to just use a skincare product that contains the ingredient instead, such as the Introstem VitisCell HydraFresh Toner. Most skincare products contain aloe vera leaf extract, but this one is formulated with aloe vera leaf juice. This gives you access to even more of the ingredient’s potent compounds. Of course, in true Introstem fashion, you’ll find several other skin-loving antioxidants in this toner too, making it a great addition to any skincare routine. Splash it onto your skin after cleansing and you should feel a difference immediately.
Pay Attention to Your Neck and Chest Too
When it comes to sun damage, people tend to focus on the face. After all, this the first part of you that others notice when they look at you!
However, it’s important to remember that the sun’s damage affects more than just the facial area. The skin on the neck and chest often come under attack too. Although the décolletage may technically be a part of the body, the skin here is pretty thin. It has more in common with the skin on your face than the skin on the rest of your body. This is why UV rays can really take their toll here, quickly causing wrinkles, dark spots, and crepey skin.
While all of the tips and products that we’ve shared above can be applied to your neck and chest too, it may be worth considering a couple of dedicated décolletage products, especially if this area is clearly sun damaged.
The Introstem Stem Cell Revitalizing Neck & Chest Mask would be a good place to start. This hydrogel mask is packed with hydrating ingredients and antioxidants. It will soon have your décolletage looking much smoother and firmer.
Introstem’s Aqua Face and Neck Cream would also be worth considering. This rich moisturizer is infused with an array of plant butters, botanical oils, and antioxidants. Not only is it an incredible moisturizer, but it will leave your skin’s natural barrier feeling stronger. This, in turn, will allow your skin to reverse the visible signs of sun damage much more efficiently.
Reversing the Look of Sun Damage With Introstem
Once you start to notice the visible signs of sun damage creeping up on your face, it’s easy to feel disheartened. UV rays can cause so many different issues, making it seem like an impossible fight to restore your complexion to normality.
The good news, however, is with a bit of effort, this is more than possible. Follow the tips that we’ve shared above, invest in the products that we recommended, and it won’t be long before your skin starts to take on a smoother, brighter, and healthier-looking appearance.
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