Sunlight Secrets: Harnessing the Power of the Sun for Health and Beauty

We all eagerly await summer to bask in the sunshine, soak up some vitamin D, and boost our health before the cold and flu season. However, ultraviolet radiation is known as the primary factor in skin aging. The first signs of aging are often the result of sun exposure. Our skin, the body’s main protective barrier, faces the aggressive effects of photo-exposure and gradually reacts: it loses moisture, thins, loses its ability to regenerate, and eventually stops producing collagen, leading to decreased elasticity and wrinkles. So, how can we ensure that the sun strengthens our health rather than causes harm?

Gradually Increase Sun Exposure

Our skin will naturally protect itself by producing the pigment melanin. However, melanin builds up gradually, creating a reliable protective screen against the sun’s rays. Therefore, prolonged sunbathing can lead to burns, especially during peak hours when solar radiation is at its maximum. It’s best to enjoy the sun in the early morning or late afternoon, ideally between 9-11 AM and 4-6 PM.

Sensitivity to sunlight is largely determined by our hereditary ability to produce melanin. The Fitzpatrick scale is used worldwide to classify skin phototypes and their susceptibility to ultraviolet light:

Type 1: White skin. Always burns, never tans.
Type 2: White skin. Burns easily, tans slowly and poorly.
Type 3: White skin. Tans quickly, sometimes burns, but usually tans well.
Type 4: White skin. Rarely burns, tans quickly.
Type 5: Naturally dark or brown skin. Rarely burns, tans abundantly.
Type 6: Black skin. Never burns, deeply pigmented.

Choose Your Sunscreen Wisely

Today, sun filters come in two types: physical (reflecting ultraviolet light) and chemical (absorbing ultraviolet light). Chemical filters absorb ultraviolet quanta, transforming light energy into heat. Common chemical filters include para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), salicylates, cinnamates, anthranilates, and oxybenzone. While popular for their transparency and solubility, chemical filters can irritate the skin, cause allergic reactions, and primarily protect against UV-B radiation, which is less harmful than UV-A.

Physical filters, such as mineral pigments (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, magnesium silicate), scatter sunlight, preventing it from penetrating the skin. Zinc oxide is particularly effective, offering protection against both UV-A and UV-B radiation. The main drawback of physical filters is their opacity, which can leave a white residue on the skin. Therefore, it’s essential to read the ingredients of your sunscreen and choose one that combines both chemical and physical filters.

Remember, typical summer clothing offers a protection factor of at least 10. Don’t forget to wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.

Don’t Overdo It

Despite the widespread use of UV absorbers in skincare and decorative cosmetics, the incidence of skin diseases and photoaging continues to rise. There are several reasons for this:

Applying too little sunscreen. Laboratories use 2 mg of sunscreen per square centimeter of skin during testing, but in real life, people often apply 2-4 times less, reducing the protection factor.
People using higher SPF creams may feel overly confident and spend more time in the sun, unconsciously increasing their risk of exposure.

The duration of sunscreen effectiveness is calculated as follows: multiply the SPF index (e.g., 10) by the time it takes for the skin to redden (about 15-20 minutes). This gives you 150-200 minutes, or roughly 3 hours per day. It’s not advisable to stay in the sun longer than this. Additionally, higher SPF doesn’t always mean better protection. Consider the concentration of chemical substances that can burden your skin, and always reapply sunscreen after swimming if it’s not water-resistant.

Summer Skincare Tips

To avoid skin hyperpigmentation, it’s best to get peels done before March. Even after a salon visit, protect your skin with a sunscreen of at least SPF 15. Avoid using whitening creams from March to October. Incorporate foods rich in ascorbic and nicotinic acids (vitamins C and PP) into your diet, as their deficiency can increase skin pigmentation. Use mineral powder as an additional physical protection factor against solar radiation—choose one with zinc oxide for an SPF of at least 15.

Use base oils for skin and hair care. Properly selected oils can inhibit melanin production, even out skin tone, prevent UV-induced cell membrane damage, stimulate skin regeneration, increase elasticity, and reduce couperosis. One of the most effective oils is buriti oil, found in pre- and post-tanning products and antioxidant creams for UV protection. Buriti oil ensures a good and safe tan. Antioxidant oils prevent free radical damage to cell membranes, including berry oils rich in linolenic acid (raspberry seed oil, cranberry, blackcurrant), green and black coffee oils, and argan oil. Oils containing vitamin E restore the skin’s hydrolipid balance, such as wheat germ oil, rice bran oil, and hazelnut oil.

When heading to the beach, remember that some products have a phototoxic effect and can increase skin sensitivity to ultraviolet rays:

Avoid perfumes, deodorants, St. John’s wort oil, and cosmetics containing citrus essential oils, parsley, celery, or carrot seed oils.
Certain medications can enhance the sun’s effects on the skin, including antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, tetracycline), acne treatments (tretinoin, isotretinoin), antidepressants (amitriptyline, trazodone), sulfonamides (sulfadimethoxine, sulfadimezin), antihistamines (diphenhydramine, pipolfen), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, naproxen).

Stay hydrated, use sunscreen carefully, avoid burns, and eat fruits and vegetables rich in lycopene. This way, your summer will be beneficial, and your skin will stay young and beautiful for longer!

Text: Katya Rebrova, School of Aromatherapy and Aromacosmetology beorganic.by