Get Glowin’
Here’s a quick how-to on getting that quintessential summer glow—before, during and after some fun in the sun
While we know you know the drill, there’s more to it than just keeping your complexion primed and ready for the sun when one takes the whole ‘being exposed to every other environmental stressor out there’ into account. Whether it’s the general heat and humidity of Malaysian weather or the UV light we encounter both indoors and out, pre- and post-suncare will help to mitigate long-lasting damage and maintains the strength of our skin barrier.
HEAD-TO-TOE
The basic science of it is this: the rest of your body is just as much as a temple as your complexion. For healthier scalps, be wary of ingredients like parabens or sulfates as they may be the cause of hair loss, dandruff and itching. Opt for more natural ingredients like plant-based surfactants instead and hair serums—particularly those infused with alpha keratin or argan oil can go a long way to keep those tresses happy. Now, while dermatologists and beauty gurus these days have stressed the importance of moisturising as well as applying sunscreen neck-up, we tend to cut corners when it comes to giving our bodies the all-star treatment—but if you want to save time while looking flake- and ashy-free, sugar scrubs formulated with nourishing plant oils such as Drunk Elephant’s Sugared Koffie Almond Milk Body Srcrub, are the way to go.
SPF IS SERIOUS BUSINESS
But what you really need to know is what kind is better for your skin type and how much to apply. Sensitive complexions prone to redness and irritation may fare better with a mineralbased physical sunblock, which reflects UV rays as it contains zinc and titanium oxide. A chemical sunscreen, however, absorbs UV rays and prevents them from entering the skin, converting them into heat that is released from the body. To reap the full benefits of SPF, layer your sunscreen that’s equivalent to the length of two fingers, and apply to the face, tops of ears, neck and chest. Apply before makeup as a foundation with SPF doesn’t cut it anymore!
POST-SUNCARE
While we know that using sunscreen and protective clothing help to shield ourselves from the elements, cleansing, cooling and moisturising the skin after a day out prevents enlarged pores and inflamed skin. Spritz the face with a layer of mist after cleansing to avoid the skin from losing its moisture. And to lock that moisture in, feel free to layer your favourite moisturisers—be it gel moisturisers to creamier, heavier ones—while key ingredients such as centella asiatica can further strengthen and soothe the skin barrier.