You may or may not be aware, but the winter time is one of the easiest times to get sunburn!  With the highly reflective snow on the ground, sunlight bounces off and reflects right onto your vulnerable face.  Given that, it’s important to take care of your skin, because sun burned skin is a bad advertisement to other people that you have poor personal hygiene!

Even those who are incredibly meticulous about sunscreen and skincare can still show signs of sun damage. Sun damage manifests itself in the form of wrinkles and fine lines, dark spots and uneven skin texture and tone. Luckily, there are steps that you can take that will protect you from further sun damage while reducing, and even repairing, the sun damage already done to your skin.

 

Damage Repair at Home

The first step in beginning to repair sun damage at home is to use cleansers that are designed to exfoliate skin. Exfoliation is important as it helps to remove any buildup of dead skin cells and allows new cells to surface, which helps the skin feel and appear more even in texture and tone. Depending on the level of damage, you may only need to use your regular cleanser with an exfoliating mitt. If you prefer, use a cleanser with exfoliating beads such as the Clarins One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Facial Cleanser. Be sure to exfoliate often, about three times a week, to remove layers of dead skin cells on the surface. Grab a product designed for lip exfoliation to remove dry and dead skin on the lips as well. Other items to look for for home repair of sun damaged skin include cleansers with glycolic or alpha hydroxy acid, as both of these help to gently exfoliate skin.

After you exfoliate your skin, be sure that you add hydration back in in order to quench dry, damaged skin. Using moisturizer with alpha hydroxy acid or hyaluronic acid creates an instant plumping effect to the skin and makes fine lines and wrinkles appear less prominent. For instant refreshment any time of day, pick up a skin mist like the Colorescience Hydrating Setting Mist. This finishing spray can be used to set your makeup, but can also be used any time you want to add some hydration to your skin.

 

Damage Repair by Professionals

If you have severe sun damage, a trip to the dermatologist may be in order. A dermatologist will examine your skin and evaluate your current skincare products, while also being able to provide treatments not available over-the-counter. Your dermatologist may suggest laser therapies or strong chemical peels to help reverse damage done by the sun. If your skin does not need in office treatments, a dermatologist may prescribe a product containing Retin-A which helps to increase cell turnover.

 

Prevent Further Damage

The number one way to prevent more sun damage from occurring is to use a product with SPF every single day of the year, regardless of the season. Summer may be the time that you think of sunscreen most often, however, the sun’s rays affect your skin any time your skin is exposed to sun, whether it is in the middle of winter or a breezy spring morning. Consider investing in products that serve more than one purpose to cut down on the amount of time and money you spend on your face products. One way to do so is to use a makeup primer that contains an SPF. These primers should offer an SPF of at least 30 that protects skin from both UVA and UVB rays. Using a primer with an SPF means that you can use any foundation you want and still be protected from the sun. Don’t forget to protect your lips from sun damage.

Sun damage can occur in as little as a few minutes of sun exposure, but can be reversed and repaired by taking special care to always use products with SPF and by keeping your skin exfoliated and hydrated.