SKIN WHAT SHOULD WE BE LOOKING FOR IN A SUNSCREEN? ARE WE OKAY TO USE A DUAL- PURPOSE MOISTURISER WITH SUNSCREEN? The best sunscreen is one that you will apply! Make sure that your sunscreen is approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). It should be broad-spectrum SPF30+ or higher. If you’re outdoors or exercising, also make sure it is water-proof. Sunscreen should be applied every morning, and reapplied every two hours. It is best to apply it 20 minutes before you go outside. Don’t forget to apply it to your lips, ears, neck and the back of your hands. The best formulation is a cream or lotion, which are more reliable than aerosol sunscreens. Whilst a dual-purpose moisturiser with sunscreen is better than nothing, it doesn’t compare to using a sunscreen on its own. You probably won’t apply enough of the dual sunscreen/moisturiser to give you the coverage that you need and the sunscreen may be diluted by other constituents of the moisturiser. Therefore, sunscreen is best applied as its own layer. WHAT ARE THE SUMMERTIME SERUMS WE SHOULD BE INVESTING IN? Different serums can help combat different skin concerns and I would recommend you consult a dermatologist to help tailor a routine that is best suited to your skin. Many serums require consistent use over all seasons in order to see the best results, although in summer you may wish to switch over to lighter formulations that are less likely to feel greasy and cause breakouts. Generally, I would recommend hyaluronic acid to moisturise. The L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Filler Serum with Hyaluronic Acid is a lighter serum formulation and doesn’t feel greasy on the skin. I would also recommend Vitamin C and other antioxidants like resveratrol to be applied in the morning along with your sunscreen as they help scavenge the free radicals induced by UV radiation. The SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF and SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF are great options containing L-ascorbic acid (a highly effective form of Vitamin C) for summer and they are less likely to cause breakouts. A retinol should be applied at night, starting initially with a couple of nights a week and then increasing to nightly use if no irritation. It is best to start with an over-thecounter retinol as this is less likely to cause irritation but can still be very effective. For example, the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Retinol Night Serum is at an optimal concentration of 0.2% pure retinol and is an ultra-stable formulation. Prescription-strength retinoids are even more potent but more likely to cause irritation. Above all else, the best investment for summer is a broadspectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 sor higher. YOUR NO #1 SUMMER SKINCARE ADVICE? Protect your skin from UV radiation. UV radiation not only causes skin cancer but can lead to pigmentation, redness, premature ageing and wrinkles, along with a whole myriad of other detrimental skin changes. Prevention is always key! BUT FIRST, SPF Warmer weather means more sun exposure. The impact of sun damage is cumulative; it gets worse as we age as we lose the ability to repair collagen as effectively. Australia has some of the harshest sun in the world with little ozone protection, so remaining focused on covering up and wearing sunscreen is extremely important. Apply sunscreen as the last step in your skincare routine. 1. mesoestetic mesoprotech sun stick 100 SPF50+, $49.80, 2. Aspect Sun Hydrating Face SPF50+, $59, 3. Aesthetics Rx Tinted Water-Resistant Sunscreen with Zinc, $59, 4. SkinMTX 3-in-1 Matte Tinted Protector 30ml, $70, 5. Dr Roebuck’s Barrier Reef Daily Facial Shield SPF50+, $49, 6. SunButter Tinted SPF50 Water Resistant Reef Safe Sunscreen, $31.95, 7. Invisible Zinc Tinted Daywear SPF30+, $31.99, 8. Ella Baché Sunguard Mineral Base Cover SPF40, 30ml, $48, 9. Sun Bum Face Lotion SPF50+ $17.99, 10. We Are Feel Good Inc. Kakadu Plum Sunscreen Lotion SPF50+ 200ml, $29.95
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