By Seabuck Staff , published Jun 11, 2018

How Sun Affects the Skin

Spending time outside in the sunshine is relaxing and good for your health. Spending too much time exposed to the sun can leave you with undesirable side effects. It does not take long for the sun to damage your skin. The sun can start to cause damage in as little as 15 minutes. Skin that is often left unprotected is prone to cancer, sun damage and premature aging.

Sun damage affects more than the outer layers of your skin. Deep layers of skin and the cells themselves are also at risk. Once burned or wounded by the sun, the skin begins aging faster than normal. This means that your skin will lose elasticity and may develop age spots. Frequent exposure to ultraviolet rays over many years is the main cause of skin cancer.

How to Protect Your Skin from Sun Damage

When using sunscreen, it's crucial to keep a few things in mind. The recommended lowest strength that everyone- (yes, everyone) should use is 30 SPF. 30 SPF means your skin will be able to handle about 30 minutes of exposure before burning. A higher SPF means there is more time between when you need to reapply. In general, people should aim to reapply sunscreen every two hours.

It is important to remember to use sunscreen every day, not only when you're at the beach. Any time that your skin faces sun exposure, it needs protection- no matter what the temperature is. You should apply sunscreen 15 minutes before you plan on going outside. That's about how long it takes for your skin to absorb it. Make sure the lotion you choose has broad-spectrum protection.  Broad-spectrum means that it should protect from both UVA and UVB rays.

Sunblock vs Sunscreen

Many people think that avoiding sunscreen will get them their desired tan. The use of sunscreen does not prevent the development of a tan. Sunscreen filters UV rays so that it does not damage your skin. However,  it doesn't prevent melanin production. Sunblock completely prevents UV rays from getting to the surface of the skin which prevents tanning. Keep in mind the differences between these two when choosing a lotion.

Another thing to keep in mind is that sunscreen expires! Sunscreen has a shelf life of about three years and even less when stored in warmer temperatures. Try to use your sunscreen before the date stamped on the bottle to ensure its effectiveness. If you can not find a day on the bottle, you can write the month and year that you bought it to keep track.   

Sea Buckthorn Oil for After Sun Skin Care

As people age, the skin has a harder time repairing itself from damage, including sun exposure. Over time, UV damage can take a toll on your skin and its underlying connective tissue. As a result, your skin may develop more wrinkles and lines. Sea buckthorn oil can promote the regeneration of healthy skin cells. Applying sea buckthorn oil to damaged skin can improve recuperation of injuries.

Valued for its rejuvenating and restorative nutrients, sea buckthorn has age-defying properties. Sea buckthorn oil contains omegas 3, 6, 7, & 9 and is safe to use on your skin without a carrier oil. Omegas are essential to skin's cellular health. During summer, it's a good idea to support your skin with an omega fatty acid rich supplement.

Fatty Acids Provide Better Skin Support in Summer

Omega-3 is a building block of skin cells and responsible for cell membrane health. Cell health is a top priority because it acts as a barrier to the skin.

Nutrients use the membrane as a pathway to get through the skin's layers. Omega-3 reduces the body's release of chemicals that cause aging. This improves the skin's look and feel while boosting skin health. We also recommend Omega 7, because it supports injured skin on a cellular level.

Topical use

Applying omegas to the skin can improve the skin's ability to hold water. Sun exposure can cause fine lines, dull, and dry looking skin. A healthy dose of omegas can reduce these effects and revive the skin's health. Using a layer of sea buckthorn infused facial cream will help keep the top layers of your skin nourished.

Proper Layering

It's smart to use both moisturizer and sunscreen during summertime. It's imperative that you use proper layering to make sure your sunscreen will work. If you get this step wrong, you could be putting your skin at risk.

The key is making sure that both your moisturizer and sunscreen have absorbed into your skin. Start with a light layer of your facial cream, then wait 5-10 minutes for it to completely soak into your skin. Then add a layer of sunscreen and again, wait for it to completely absorb into your skin. For the most skin protection, you can top it off with a sunblock if you choose. Make sure that you do this at least 15 minutes before going out into the sun and make sure everything is nicely absorbed first.

Summer Skin Protection Essentials

• Prevent sun damage by the proper use of sunscreen or sunblock.

• Wear protective clothing.

• Drink lots of water.

• Be aware of how much time you are spending in the sun.

• A daily omega fatty acid supplement with omega 7 will help keep your skin nourished from the inside out.

• Double up on skin protection by properly layering lotion and sunscreen.

Get into the habit of taking great care of your skin- you won’t regret it!

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