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Essential Summer Skincare Routine to Prevent Sun Damage: Top Antioxidants and Tips
I love summer - especially swimming and spending time outdoors - all activities that cause considerable skin damage. However, incorporating a few simple steps pre and post sunblock application can considerably prevent any serious damage to your skin. Before we get into it, let’s talk about what causes sun damage.
Introduction to Sun Damage
Sun damage is caused by free radicals, which are pesky oxygen-containing molecules that can damage healthy cells when they interact with one other. When our skin is exposed to too much sun it causes oxidative stress due to an overload of free radicals, often leading to irreversible skin damage. The most common side effects of oxidative stress besides the obvious sun spots and skin discoloration are loss of firmness and elasticity, dehydration, and dullness.
The Role of Antioxidants in Skin Protection
This is when antioxidants come to the rescue! Antioxidants can protect skin cells by neutralizing oxidative stress while greatly improving how skin looks and feels. I believe that any skincare products that you use must have strong antioxidant protection, especially when you are ready to enter the storm of free radicals on a sunny day. Some of my favorite topical antioxidants include Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin C, E and A, Lycopene, and Green Tea. Did you know that all of your favorite OLSC products contain antioxidants alongside peptides and humectants.
Importance of an Antioxidant-Rich Diet
Of course, consuming an antioxidant-rich diet cannot be minimized. That glow from within is real! Foods and supplements that contain Selenium, Co-enzyme Q10, Vitamins C, E and A, Lycopene, and Polyphenols are easy to incorporate, especially in the summer when so many vegetables and fruits are in season and they are loaded with antioxidants.
So let’s incorporate all of this into your summer skincare routine.
Step-by-Step Summer Skincare Routine
Morning Skincare Routine:
- Super HA Hyaluronic Acid Serum (suitable for all skin types)
- Add a few drops of Vitamin C to Super HA if your skin can tolerate it, or layer one on top of the other (Try IS Clinical Pro Heal Serum if you have dry skin or Serum 10 by SkinCeuticals if you have oily skin)
- The Eye Cream
- Apply a good amount of your favorite sunscreen
Nighttime Skincare Routine:
- Use Purifying Cleansing Gel to thoroughly wash your face, making sure all of the sunblock is rinsed off.
- Apply Heal the Need Serum, which is full of antioxidants and rich reparative ingredients.
- Follow up with Pep Revive Daily Moisturizer if you have dehydrated skin (contains Lycopene). All other skin types can follow up with Weightless Moisturizer.
- The Eye Cream
- Finish up with either Heal the Need Serum or SuperHA Serum
Make sure to keep everything simple. This routine is also great for summer travel when you can take only a few products but ensure powerful protection!