SUMMER GUIDE: REPAIRING SUN DAMAGED SKIN
As summer draws to a close, we're left with sweet sun kissed skin that may feel drier, tighter and rosier than normal — all signs that your skin is in need of some extra love and care.
While the best prevention from UV damage is wearing sunscreen, the effects of sun damage or photoaging — the premature aging of the skin from ultraviolet radiation — can be treated to reduce and repair the effects of sun-damaged skin.
In the last installment of our summer guide, we highlight clean skincare for rejuvenating skin, featuring alpha hydroxy acids, vitamin C, retinol and natural retinol alternatives. These powerful ingredients may reduce the appearance of sun spots, wrinkles and fine lines while stimulating new skin and boosting collagen.
Get ready to be fresh-faced for fall.
READ Summer Guide: Mineral Sunscreen
READ Summer Guide: After Sun Skincare
RETINOL + RETINOL ALTERNATIVES
Retinol, a derivative of vitamin A, is known for its powerful rejuvenating properties. It works on both the epidermis (the outermost layer of the skin) and the dermis (the deeper layer beneath the epidermis).
When used consistently in a skincare routine, retinol accelerates cellular turnover by shedding dead skin cells, promoting new growth, and stimulating collagen production for firmer, plump skin. It can also help reduce signs of sun damage, like hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone.
Natural retinol alternatives are botanicals with extraordinary amounts of vitamin A that produce retinoic-like activity at the cellular level. They allow you to receive the benefits of retinol without skin irritation or photosensitivity, which are common side effects of synthetic retinol.
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Vintner's Daughter Active Botanical Serum
This award-winning serum uses powerful, vitamin A rich botanicals and plant oils like carrot seed and rosehip to boost skin’s natural retinol creation. Benefits include helping to build collagen and improve sun spots.
Tata Harper Retinoic Face Oil
This rich oil reduces the look of early wrinkles caused by sun damage with retinoic acid-like activity from eight bioactive botanical retinol alternatives like black jack plant and rock samphire (which has been clinically proven to out perform retinol).
Monastery Rei Gentle Retinol Cream
Made with 2% retinol, this cream assists in brightening the skin, boosting collagen and reducing fine lines while fungi-derived beta-glucan helps protect the skin barrier and accelerate moisture retention.
ALPHA HYDROXY ACIDS
Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are a group of water-soluble acids often derived from fruit in clean skincare. They work on the epidermis to gently dissolve the bonds that hold dead skin cells together, allowing them to be easily removed.
This exfoliation process reveals brighter, radiant skin, improving sun spots and dry rough patches. AHAs also stimulate collagen production, improving skin firmness and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles caused by photoaging.
As always, consistency is critical. Keep a routine with acid exfoliants for best results.
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Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser
Health Hut's bestselling cleanser, this creamy physical and fruit acid exfoliant is gentle enough to be used daily on dry skin. Made with apricot microspheres and BHA from white willow bark. For a complete routine, see Tata Harper's resurfacing collection below.
Monastery XX Rose Glycolic Gel
Glycolic acid is a hero for its ability to gently resurface skin, leaving it smooth, clear and bright. In XX, 10% fruit derived glycolic acid is in a soothing rose water base so skin stays hydrated and soothed while you exfoliate.
Tata Harper Superkind Radiance Mask
Reach for this gently exfoliating mask if you have sensitive or reactive skin. Here, mild AHAs exfoliate while microbiome-balancing prebiotics support a healthy skin barrier. Every product in Tata Harper's Superkind line is made free from 85+ common allergens and irritants including fragrance and essential oils.
VITAMIN C
With its high concentration of antioxidants, vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is known for slowing early signs of aging, preventing sun damage and improving the appearance of wrinkles, dark spots and acne.
Studies show that both aging and excessive exposure to UV light and pollution lower the skin's epidermis vitamin C. Adding vitamin C products to your routine can treat and prevent further sun damage.
Practice patience; the results of vitamin C will come with routine regularity.
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Vintner's Daughter Active Treatment Essence
This essence can replace eight products in your vanity, including exfoliating alpha hydroxy acids. It's full of plants with the highest percentages of vitamin C, including acerola and kakadu plum.
LESSE Essential Moisturizer
Formulated with the world's richest source of natural vitamin C, kakadu plum, this moisturizer delivers powerfully brightening and rejuvenating benefits — without any of the side effects common to synthetic vitamin Cs.
Mimar Ultra Vitamin C Concentrate
Expertly crafted with 15% tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (the most stable form of Vitamin C) this serum provides blue light, UVA and UVB protection. Blended in a base of pataua oil that is high in oleic acid (omega 9), this oil is used in the treatment of melasma and sun and age spots.
REPAIR SUN DAMAGED SKIN