This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Olay. The opinions and text are all mine.
Protecting your skin from sun damage is one of the most important steps in any skincare regimen. Not only do UVA and UVB rays cause skin aging, sun damage can also result in far bigger problems – like skin cancer. To help you maintain healthy, youthful skin, today’s Spring Skincare Guide shares 3 simple ways to protect your skin from sun damage.
Tip # 1: Wear Sunscreen Every Day
Whether it’s a sunny day or cloudy outside, to protect your skin from sun damage, wear sunscreen every day. Because the rays of the Sun can penetrate through clouds, applying sunscreen on a daily basis is essential. This even includes long work-days when you’re mostly indoors because sun rays can even come through windows.
Since a lot of sunscreens often feel slick and greasy or heavy and chalky, choosing a lightweight moisturizer with broad spectrum SPF protection is a smart move.
That’s why Olay Whip with SPF 25 is a great option. This dreamy SPF-infused moisturizer is ideal for delicate parts of the body – like the face, neck, and chest – as it doesn’t feel heavy or greasy. It’s no wonder this product is being called the “Unicorn of Moisturizers” – its fluffy whipped texture leaves a soft, satiny finish on the skin.
Tip # 2: Cover up with a Hat & Sunglasses
If you’ve ever seen a woman with flawless skin, she’d probably tell you she rarely spends time in the Sun. For those of us who enjoy being active outdoors, staying in all day or walking around with an umbrella (like some people do) isn’t a practical solution.
Whenever you go outside for an extended period, try to cover up with a hat and sunglasses. Not only can these fashionable accessories be a fun style statement for Spring, they also serve a purpose. Wearing a hat and sunglasses can significantly reduce the amount of UVA and UVB ray exposure you get, which is potentially damaging to the skin.
Too much Sun exposure can result in skin discoloration, hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, and even deadly skin cancer. That’s why it’s absolutely imperative to protect your skin from sun damage.
Tip # 3: Apply Sunscreen to your Hands & Body
We often neglect our hands and body, which later catches up with us when we start to notice age spots, dryness, and wrinkles. To maintain your youthful, healthy skin, apply sunscreen to your hands and body.
A lightweight moisturizer with SPF 25 is especially ideal for use on hands since it doesn’t leave a greasy residue. Since we often wash our hands throughout the day, it’s best to re-apply your sun protection every time after washing. You can even stash a sunscreen in your tote bag or car, to ensure your skin is always protected.
My SPF Journey – From Tanorexic to Totally Protected
When I was a teenager, wearing sunscreen only happened if I was on vacation in Mexico or Hawaii. As a young carefree woman, all I cared about was looking good and having fun. I spent my Summers laying out at the pool (with the goal of getting tan). At the time, that coveted golden glow was more important to me than taking care of my skin (or protecting my skin from sun damage). My obsession with “the perfect tan” even led me to regular tanning sessions at a local salon and ultimately convincing my family to buy a tanning bed for the house. I admit the truth now – I was becoming “tanorexic”.
As I look back on my younger self, I wish I had the beauty wisdom I do now. Little did I realize how much damage those lazy days in the Sun could cause. Before things got out of control, fortunately, I caught the skincare-devotee bug in my early 20’s, which is when I started really taking care of my skin. That’s when I became interested in learning everything I could about skincare, from anti-aging treatments to acne prevention.
Whether it was through research, reading magazines or books, or chatting with a Dermatologist, the one piece of advice I’ve heard repeatedly over the years is – wear sunscreen every day. I can proudly say that I now live that mantra. Even if I don’t wear anything else in a day, I make sure to apply sunscreen to my skin.
If there’s one piece of wisdom I can offer – it’s that sun protection is an essential step in any daily skincare routine.
For more skincare tips and tutorials, check out the Skin section on Inspirations & Celebrations.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Olay. The opinions and text are all mine.