We don’t know who needs to hear this, but we can’t emphasize this enough: up to 90% of premature aging is caused by sun exposure. (Not to scare you, but even high exposure to blue light from electronic devices can cause premature aging too!) It’s common knowledge to always wear sunscreen before going out and reapply sun protection once every two hours for maximum effect! And yet, even after all the precautions we take before and during our day in the sun, we don’t talk nearly enough about what we should do to take care of our skin AFTER a long day of attempting to fight off UV rays.
What’s important to note is that while the sun damage caused by UV rays are sometimes irreversible, like in the case of DNA mutations, it is possible to at least partially treat photoaged skin. Of course, in-office procedures like laser treatments and collagen injections will be more effective, but topical treatments can certainly make for a more affordable and accessible routine.
To really recuperate your skin after sun exposure, we love using skincare products with ingredients that deal with both UVB and UVA ray damage. UVB rays will cause sunburns, whereas UVA rays will cause skin aging. Read on to find out which products will help soothe sun-irritated skin, reverse the appearance of aging, and increase the effectiveness of UV protection! Here are some of our favorites, all available at Glowie Co!
Best Products for After Sun Care
Beauty of Joseon Calming Serum: Green Tea + Panthenol
Beauty of Joseon uses Hanbang, or Korean traditional medicine, ingredients to treat skin concerns. Their serums are particularly effective, and this Calming Serum is just so lovely on sun-irritated skin. Panthenol delivers anti-inflammatory effects on redness caused by UVB rays, and also deeply hydrates skin for long lasting moisture. On top of those amazing benefits, panthenol also protects the skin and promotes wound healing. The other star ingredient, green tea extract, is known for its soothing properties and UV-fighting abilities. It suppresses melanin synthesis caused by UV rays, and removes free radicals too!
Another ingredient of note is artemisia extract. Not only does artemisia extract soothe redness and inflammation alongside panthenol, it also contains Vitamin A to reverse skin damage and Vitamin C to brighten sun spots. Vitamin C is also an amazing addition to a morning routine, as it boosts the effectiveness of SPF protection, especially that of SPF 30 and above! Either way, you can incorporate this serum into your before AND after sun care routines!
KEEP COOL Ocean Hydrating Gel Cream
If this product looks familiar to you, it’s probably because we’ve already featured it as one of our favorite hydrating products in this article! For those with dehydrated, sun-damaged skin, we can’t recommend KEEP COOL’s Ocean Hydrating Gel Cream enough! This gel cream is formulated with their “Hydrating Ocean’s 5,” a special mix of Seawater, Spirulina, Chlorella, Glasswort, and Green Confertii that infuses skin with water, promotes collagen production, and soothes skin. Collagen production is especially important in an after sun care routine, as UV rays can cause collagen to break down and therefore cause loss of elasticity.
We also love using this gel cream for an instant cooling effect from its “Cool Keeper” ingredients such as Japanese honeysuckle, Baikal skullcap, and forsythia fruit! If you suffer from sunburns and dehydrated skin, Ocean Hydrating Gel Cream will not only soothe skin, but form a moisture barrier on your skin to prevent further dehydration thanks to its healthy dose of betaine.
Love, Jude Three Fingers After Sun Care Essence Black Sheet Mask
We can’t talk about after sun care without Love, Jude’s already iconic Three Fingers After Sun Care Essence Black Sheet Mask! When three fingers of sunscreen isn’t enough to fully prevent sun damage, you should invest in a box of these (it comes with six sheet masks per box!) if you want to take your after sun care routine to the next level. Aloe vera extract and squalene replenish moisture to overheated skin, while the always welcome niacinamide fights dark spots and hyperpigmentation. And remember our talk about collagen earlier? This sheet mask is formulated with soluble collagen to give photo-aged skin an extra boost!
The way the natural fiber cellulose fabric clings to facial contours so perfectly allows for effective and even absorption, meaning that you’ll get the most out of the anti-inflammatory and brightening essence. Jude herself recommends popping these in the fridge before use for an added cooling effect!
23.5°N Rice Soothing Active+ Essence
The entire Rice Soothing Active+ line from 23.5°N is fantastic for irritated skin! From the Cleansing Foam to the Gel Mask, this line uses an ample amount of rice extract to sooth and brighten skin. What makes the Rice Soothing Active+ Essence stand out is its extremely high concentration of sake! It’s a whopping 98.8% rice ferment filtrate, which is an antibacterial ingredient that is rich in amino acids. Amino acids are crucial for skin health, especially when it comes to elasticity and hydration! Avid users of this essence have reported a plumper, more hydrated look instantly.
Rice ferment filtrate also lightly exfoliates dead skin cells, so peeling skin from sunburns can rest easy. Kojic acid from rice ferment filtrate is a powerful brightening ingredient that also eliminates free radicals from UV exposure. This sake-based essence gives photo-aged skin a firmer and brighter look while easing redness, much needed benefits after a long day in the sun.
Final Thoughts
Of course, the best type of sun care will always be precautionary! It’s better to prevent damage than to try to recuperate after the fact, but considering that UV rays can pierce through glass, clouds, and fabric, completely blocking the effects of UV rays can be quite difficult. With sun care, always err on the side of caution; incorporating after sun care products into your nighttime routine can make a difference in skin health in the long run!
When looking for after sun care products, make sure to check for possible irritants so your already sun-damaged skin can heal smoothly! Also use products with soothing, protecting, and hydrating ingredients for sunburned skin from UVB rays. To repair photo-aged skin from UVA rays, we recommend looking for products that feature key ingredients that can boost collagen production, eliminate free radicals, and target dark spots/hyperpigmentation.
Sources
https://www.epiphanydermatology.com/cosmetic-dermatology/how-to-treat-prevent-photoaging/
https://www.scripps.org/news_items/4349-how-to-reverse-sun-damaged-skin
https://www.skincancer.org/blog/photoaging-what-you-need-to-know/
https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/blue-light-skin