Prepare your skin for the sun in 3 steps
Prepare your skin for the sun before exposing it
Promote a diet rich in antioxidants
Preparing your skin for the sun can help reduce or even prevent the harmful effects on the health and beauty of your skin. It is advisable to favor foods rich in antioxidants . Antioxidants contribute in particular to the regeneration of melanin, the natural pigment that fights against the negative effects of the sun on the skin. Stored on the surface of the skin, this pigment undergoes degradation due to ultraviolet rays. Fortunately, antioxidants help the body to synthesize melanin again. They thus allow your skin to be durably protected. Result: your skin welcomes the first rays of the sun more favorably and you sport a beautiful natural tan.
What antioxidants should be used to prepare the skin for the sun ?
Polyphenols are powerful antioxidants for your health. To reap the benefits of this outstanding antioxidant, there's nothing like drinking white tea . This pure tea is particularly rich in polyphenols. Consuming two to three cups of white tea per day is ideal for boosting your immune system and bringing radiance and protection to your skin .
- white tea (certified organic) to be consumed iced or hot;
- red fruits (goji berries, strawberries, raspberries, redcurrants, blueberries, blackcurrants);
- dark chocolate;
- flax seeds;
- the artichoke heart;
- parsley.
Beta-carotene is also an antioxidant. An ally for tanning , it is recommended to include it in your diet a few weeks before the arrival of the sunny days.
Which foods can you get beta-carotene from ?-
carrots;
-
the melon;
-
apricots;
-
the peppers.
As you can see, it's essential to choose foods high in antioxidants. These foods neutralize the negative effects caused by free radicals during sun exposure. Thanks to the antioxidants we consume, our skin then has a primary shield to protect itself from the sun's rays. However, there are other steps you can take to ensure effective sun protection.
Prepare your skin for the sun with exfoliation
To boost your tan, you can use body and facial scrubs. Opt for scrubs made with grains that will gently exfoliate your skin. Ideally, you should choose a scrub enriched with organic plant-based active ingredients , such as apricot kernel oil or argan oil . These help moisturize and soften your skin. Oil scrubs prolong and enhance your tan. This is why, before sun exposure, it is recommended to exfoliate once or twice a week. Exfoliation is also a recognized treatment for smoothing the skin and eliminating imperfections. Using an exfoliating treatment improves the elasticity and tone of the skin.Good to know: exfoliation is a treatment to be applied throughout the summer, not just before sun exposure. After each exfoliation , remember to moisturize your skin well. Finally, keep in mind that an exfoliation should of course only be applied to skin that is not sunburned or damaged.
Protecting your skin during sun exposure
Apply sunscreen to the skin
Sunscreen is essential to ensure your skin is protected , regardless of the sun's rays. Remember to reapply sunscreen every two hours. Regarding your sunscreen's SPF, it's recommended to choose an SPF of 50 when the sun is shining brightly. Generally speaking, remember that the higher the SPF of your sunscreen, the greater the level of protection. Even with low UV rays, it's recommended to always apply sunscreen , at least SPF 30, throughout the summer.
Limit sun exposure time
It's important to avoid sun exposure between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. These peak hours of sunlight are dangerous for your skin. Be especially careful if you're in the mountains or near a water source, as UV rays are more intense due to their reflection. In hot weather, stay in shaded areas as much as possible.Also remember to stay hydrated throughout the day with water, iced white tea, or even hot white tea, which, incidentally, is also very thirst-quenching. And wear your wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses to protect your face from UV rays.
Expose your skin to the sun gradually
Take it step by step. While it's tempting to quickly catch every last ray of sunlight on your skin, it's safer to proceed in stages. Skin's sensitivity is such that it needs to be handled with care. Start with short exposures and gradually increase them. Gradual exposure reduces the risk of skin damage, such as burns. Your skin will have time to adjust to the heat, and you'll eventually achieve a more even and lasting tan.
Taking care of your skin after sun exposure
The benefits of after-sun care to preserve and maintain your skin
After sun exposure, your skin needs to be moisturized. After-sun care works specifically to soothe and regenerate skin damaged by ultraviolet rays. Choosing an after-sun lotion that's certified organic and enriched with plant oils is highly recommended. Its active ingredients, such as aloe vera and hyaluronic acid, help restore and refresh the skin. This after-sun care will also prevent your skin from peeling and help preserve your tan.
The benefits of dry vegetable oil after sun exposure
Dry vegetable oil is also ideal for after-sun care. It nourishes and enhances the skin. Easy to apply, it quickly penetrates the epidermis and acts deeply. Choose a dry oil that combines several plant-based active ingredients to benefit from even more benefits. Apricot kernel oil, for example, is a valuable active ingredient for maintaining your tan. Other oils such as white tea oil and camellia seed oil are known for softening and revitalizing the skin, thanks to their antioxidant properties .
In short, remember that before you can enjoy the sun with peace of mind, there's some preparation you need to do to protect your skin. By taking the right steps before, during, and after each sun exposure, you'll continue to care for your skin and take care of your health. Sun, swims, and cocktails are all yours to enjoy! And how about refreshing yourself with an original cocktail made with iced white tea?
