Summer’s here and that means it's the easy season to apply sunscreen every day. With longer daylight hours and more time spent outside, most of us are quick to include it as part of our morning routine.
However, this often feels like a chore thanks to product formulation. When I’m sitting on the beach, a hat can hide the white glow left by physical sunscreens. And the sticky feeling on my limbs after application is just about bearable, but I'm sure it causes more sand to stick to me.
What I’m less excited about is when these issues occur when I’m in an urban environment. I don’t revel in needing to rebelance the colour of my skin, particularly when I’m trying to apply less make-up. And a quick application to the arms before a glass of something in the sun turns into a tacky nightmare.
So I keep testing products, looking for options and this is why I’m so excited about my choice for Summer 2018: Heliocare.
Let’s start with the basics: it leaves no white cast on the face and dries down quickly. There’s also a handbag-friendly size with a mousse formulation that is perfect for the impromptu al fresco lunch. Plus, none of it smells like sunscreen.
That all sounds great, right? But wait, there's more!
Heliocare goes beyond just blocking UVA and UVB rays, including protection from infrared-A, which is delivered by solar radiation, whether we see the sun or not. Like UVA, IR-A reaches our dermis, which is where damage to future skin cells begins.
However, this isn't just suncare. It's also skincare, keeping your skin working properly thanks to added ingredients. It neutralises free radicals with antioxidants, Vitamins C and E, and a proprietary one derived from ferns. Fernblock FC defends against the breakdown of skin cells, collagen and elastin. It’s enriched with ferulic acid, which prevents and corrects sun damage and caffeic acid, which is anti-inflammatory and prevents premature ageing.
Kind of makes you feel like anything you’ve used before this was a bit lacking, right?
The range includes an oral supplement, which provides the same antioxidants as the sunscreen so you are protecting your skin from the inside and the outside. It prevents those tiny red bumps from appearing, which I always get no matter how much SPF I apply thanks to my sun sensitivity (could it be due to lack of exposure???). So I’m dosing up on the vits now to be ready for the beach.
You know my passion about sun protection, which is why I’m so excited about this new sunscreen. If what you’ve read here is of interest, please let me know. Heliocare isn’t on the high street, but I do have it available in my treatment room. Happy to help with your holiday prep!