Post-summer strengthening skincare
After continuous sun exposure throughout summer, the time has come to rebuild and strengthen your skin, and luckily there are a lot of measures to do so.
To ensure that our body has the adequate levels of vitamin D in our blood, we are dependent on receiving the vitamin though sunlight. Our body naturally creates vitamin D when it’s exposed to sunlight, or through certain foods and supplements. As the body is unable to store vitamin D, we are dependent on sunlight, diet, and skincare to provide the body with the adequate levels throughout the year.
Fifteen to twenty minutes of sun exposure to the skin should provide plenty of vitamin D. The vitamin has several important functions. Perhaps the most vital are regulating the absorption of calcium and phosphorus and facilitating normal immune system function. Research has shown that vitamin D also play an important role in regulating mood and decreasing the risk of depression, as sunlight promotes the production of dopamine. NDLA (Norwegian Digital Learning Arena) has shown that 30 minutes of sun exposure provide the same levels of vitamin D as a small bottle of cod liver oil.
Although the sunlight has its advantages, there are of course disadvantages. Excessive sun exposure can damage the skin barrier and leave the skin feeling dry, rough and dull skin. Thin and fragile skin, enhanced wrinkles and pigmentation, and redness and inflammations are also common symptoms of a damaged skin barrier.
In other words, sunlight has a potential benefit in providing the adequate level of vitamin D. It may reduce the risk of certain diseases and help improve mood and reduce depression symptoms. Despite this, excessive sun exposure also has its consequences.
The effects of a tanned skin
Once skin is exposed to UV radiation, it increases the production of melanin in an attempt to protect the skin from further damage. The increase of melanin may cause the skin tone to darken over the next 48 hours. Epidermis thickens to tolerate the increased melanin level. Thickened skin undermines natural skin renewal, and the skin surface becomes rougher and drier.
So how can you increase your natural glow and get your healthy skin back, you ask? Let us tell you!
Dryness
When the sun is shining high and bright, it evaporates any droplets of water that may be in the air. The sun has the same effect on your skin, especially a skin without sun protection. The more time you spend in direct sunlight, the more your skin will become dry and brittle. Moisture evaporates from within the body, dehydrating both the body and skin. This weakens the skin barrier, resulting in the skin looking and feeling dry and patchy. In addition, when skin is dehydrated, the natural fullness and resilience of the skin degrades.
To maintain the moisture levels, the skin barrier has to be restored. The skin barrier is built up of cells, also known as corneocytes, and are the skin barriers bricks. The binding-agent keeping your cells together are made of various lipids, like cholesterol and ceramides. The skin barrier balance moisture and prevent epidermal water loss. In addition, it acts as a barrier to allergens and bacteria.
Moisturize!
The key to repairing your skin barrier is to reintroduce moisture and use calming cleansers with the correct pH-level (5,5). Look for moisturizers that contain ceramides as it mimics the skin’s moisturizing functions to hold on to hydration. The cleanser should remove excess oils, dirt, and make-up, without surfactants that degrease and emulsify oils.
I recommend either Hydractil Gentle Cleanser or Niactil Cleanser.
The active ingredients I personally recommend are Niacinamide, a B3-vitamin. It is suggested that niacinamide increase the synthesis of ceramides as well as lipids that are involved in the structural and functional integrity of the skin barrier and prevent epidermal water loss.
Exfoliating
Dehydrated skin tends to feel dry, patchy, and rough. This is a result of the skins cell renewal is disrupted. Exfoliating helps to remove dead skin cells by breaking the bonds that glue them together, allowing new and healthy cells to surface, and giving your daily glow an instant boost.
Chemical exfoliants such as AHA’s (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) and/or BHA’s (Beta Hydroxy Acids) remove the cells from your skin surface. Chemical exfoliants dissolve the “glue” that binds your dead skin cells, helping them loosen and slough off the skin. Regular exfoliation helps to stimulate collagen synthesis to improve the skin’s texture, integrity, and keep the skin looking fresh, plump, tight and young.
I recommend Glyactil Pads and Glyactil Smoothing Cream containing the fruit acid glycolic acid. For those with a sensitive skin condition, Niactil Advanced Pro is recommended.
We always recommend combining sun protection and antioxidants to neutralize free radicals and prevent UV damage.
The active ingredients Niacinamide, Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid acts as a binding-agent for moisture and stimulates the production of collagen.
I recommend Ceactil Advanced Serum, Niactil 4%, and Acticlear Even Tone Serum for those who struggle with uneven pigmentation. Finish your morning routine with Hydractil Daily Defense SPF 15 for the perfect protection.
Search for moisturizer that mimic the skins moisture function, such as glycerine and squalene. They rebuild the skin barrier, making the skin soft and smooth, and eliminates dry skin.
Hydractil Repair Cream for drier skin conditions and Hydractil Lite Cream for combination skin. Hydractil Normalizer for sensitive and dry skin conditions.
For a personalized skincare routine, contact our costumer service at elixir@cosmedica.no, through Instagram, or use our website’s skin analysis.
Love, Marianne ☺
