PROTECT YOURSELF

Pointers And Products For Summer Sun Defense

BY BECCA HENSLEY

SUN DAMAGE AND THE NEED TO PROTECT OUR SKIN LOOMS LARGE IN our lives. We’ve all heard it. We all know it. We all do the best we can. We can all do better. I was talking to a dermatologist friend the other day who reminded me that even sunshine filtered through windows can damage our skin. She mentioned a famous case in her medical textbook that showed the before and after photos of a woman who worked at the same desk in an office for decades where her left side faced the window. After all that time, the left side of her face showed a drastic amount of aging, while her right side had aged at a normal pace. That story made an impression on me and spurred the subject of this issue’s Haute Beauty column.

Folks, we need sunlight in small doses, but let’s be careful. Let’s take care of our skin. To whit, here’s a compendium of tips and products sure to inspire sun safety. First, some advice compiled exclusively for Haute Living, San Francisco from Dr. Marc Hurlbert, CEO of the Melanoma Research Alliance. Dr. Hurlbert is a pharmacologist by training and previously served as the MRA’s chief science officer.

1. WEEKEND SKIN WARM GLOW

This 2-in-1 UV fighter from Iris&Romeo combines a pot of gold duet with two skincare steps in one product. With agereversing and brightening vitamin C and a transparent mineral SPF, the serum-like, glow-making lotion can be used daily to even skin tone, soften wrinkles, prevent sun damage, and suffuse the skin with golden hour glam. irisandromeo.com

2. UV DAMAGE RESCUE AFTER SUN CALMING SERUM

From Violette_FR, this soothing, hydrating holy grail in a bottle harnesses naturally occurring polyglutamic acid for deep hydration, centella asiatica (aka Indian pennywort) extract to calm and support reparative skin cells, and Melitane™ peptide to reduce inflammation and boost protective melanin. One hundred percent of users reported improved skin after two days of use. violettefr.com/products/rescue-duo

3. OMBRE DEL SOLE

Petaluma and Bay Area-based Benedetta Skincare has your back. Always on the lookout for clean and nontoxic skincare alternatives, they created the Ombre Del Sole series (Defense & Repair Duo and Crème) to combat oxidative stress where it starts—deep within the dermis. The products naturally filter UVA and UVB rays while encouraging healthy cell renewal and regeneration. benedetta.com

4. PAVISE DYNAMIC AGE DEFENSE SPF

The brainchild of Sophie Bai, a Harvard and MIT-educated scientist, this unique product line been the talk of the suncare market. It uses patented DiamondCore® Shield Technology to scavenge and neutralize UV-generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) that age skin and cause hyperpigmentation. An all-inone elixir, Dynamic Age Defense SPF treats, moisturizes, and sheaths the skin with protection. pavise.com

5. ECLIPSE SPF 50+

An ultra-sheer, fast absorbing, water resistant formula with a weightless finish, Eclipse SPF 50+ by Innovative Skincare combines transparent titanium dioxide and micronized zinc oxide with vitamin E for stunning results in two shades. isclinical.com

6. NUDESTIX NUDESCREEN DAILY MINERAL VEIL SPF 30

This 100 percent reef-safe sunscreen, made with 15 percent non-nano zinc oxide hydrates, is an oil-free lotion. Its veganpowered extracts melt into the skin to help protect against the sun’s broad-spectrum UVA and UVB rays as well as blue light. www.nudestix.com

7. BONDI SANDS SPF 50 FRAGRANCE FREE SPF 50

Tested in Australia, this star-powered sunscreen hydrates and protects with SPF 50 UVA and UVB protection. Free of fragrance, the non-greasy formula remains water resistant for up to 80 minutes. Expect to feel moisturized for a full 72 hours. bondisands.com

8. PROTECT RX

From Europe’s number one professional skincare brand Babor, founded by a biochemist in 1956,

There is no such thing as a “healthy tan.” A tan is a sign that your skin is already in distress. A tan provides minimal protection.

Seek out shade where possible when outside. This is particularly important during the hours between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. when the sun is at peak intensity.

When choosing a sunscreen, the best one for you is one that you’ll wear every day. That said, we suggest looking for three things when shopping for sunscreen: 1) broad spectrum protection (so you know it will protect your from UVA rays which cause aging and UVB rays which cause sunburn);

2) SPF30 or higher; and 3) while no sunscreen is waterproof, look for one that offers water resistance.

Yes, you do need to wear sunscreen on cloudy days. Up to 80 percent of UV rays can penetrate cloud cover. Also, UV damage is cumulative, so every day counts.

Even the best sunscreen in the world cannot protect you if you don’t apply it correctly. For proper protection, you should be using about one ounce— enough to fill a shot glass—for your body and reapply it every two hours or after you get out of the water.