• Wear a high Sun Protection Factor, even if you have dark skin |
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LIVING IN a climate such as the one in the Algarve, we are all very aware of the damages the sun can cause to our skin. From sunburn through to major health concerns, such as skin cancer, we definitely need to be aware!
People with fairer skins do suffer a greater risk when out in the sun, but it must be remembered that sun damage can occur in all skin types. In the youth-obsessed society we live in today, people are more and more concerned about the damage sunrays can have in our skin, as they have more potential to damage it than any other environmental factor.
Our relationship with the sun and tanning has gone back through the ages. The Romans, Ancient Greeks and many others civilisations used to worship the sun. But it wasn’t until the 20th century that a tan became highly fashionable, as before ladies from the upper classes strived to remain as pale as possible. These days, however, we are more in danger of the sunrays due to the depletion of the ozone layer.
Psychologically, time in the sun can give us a tremendous boost, while many of us still feel better with a slight tan to our skin. So, what we need to do is learn how to be safe in the sun and keep our skin in top condition.
Tips for safe tanning
• Never overexpose your skin in the first few days: build it up slowly.
• Wear a high Sun Protection Factor (SPF), even if you have darker skin
• Don’t stay out when the sun is at its highest (between 11am and 2pm)
• Get out of the sun frequently
• Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol to avoid dehydration
• Apply sun cream approximately half-an-hour before sun exposure
• Remember to top up with cream throughout the day, particularly after being in the water
• Use approximately 2 tablespoons of sunscreen per application for an adult body
• Always discard old sun cream products as their effectiveness reduces significantly over time
• Wear a wide brimmed hat and glasses to protect your face and eyes
• Beware of cool breeze as it often results in burning!
Elemis have recognised the potential damage by sunrays to the skin and that the damage caused today will surface in 20 years’ time. The Elemis Sunwise range provides high quality, broad-spectrum UVA/UVB filters to protect skin against both ageing and burning.
Aromatic Tahitian Monoi Oil, traditionally used to soften the body in Tahitian wedding ceremonies, features throughout the Elemis Sunwise range. This pure oil is extracted from the tropical Tiane flower.
The Elemis range has also been kept simple, with a couple of different SPF creams for the face and three different SPF creams for the body to make it easy to use.
Importantly, after a day’s tanning, the body needs to be nourished. Elemis After Sun Soothing Milk melts like butter into sun-kissed skin, leaving the skin with a super soft texture and necessary moisture to maximise your tan. It helps to regenerate the skin.
In short, with lots of care, we can still enjoy the benefits of the sun on our skin by simply following safe tanning.
