Fun in the Sun?

Like a Raisin in the Sun doesn't conjure up the best image, does it? Exposure to harmful UV rays has been shown to accelerate the skin's aging process, and even accentuate the breakdown of the skin's interconnected matrix, or, more commonly, give you wrinkles!

As I sit here in sunny Los Angeles this week watching my freckles darken, I'm forced to remember the importance of sunscreen. There was an article in the New York Times this past July about the misconceptions of sunscreen and the need to follow instructions much like you would a prescription medicine. This caught my interest, and after speaking with industry skin care experts, I also learned about the harmful effects of mixing chemicals beneath the surface of your skin.

The essence of skincare in today's world is that we are forever applying the latest products with the most high tech ingredients to effectively manage the skin's aging process. But what we often forget is that chemicals don't always get along, and when in mixed company can sometimes start trouble. The mixing of chemicals beneath the surface of the skin, and especially when the sun's heat is added to the equation, can actually lead to other skin problems and even damage the skin's cellular structure; sometimes applying sunscreen can be in vain (yes, pun intended).

So how can we cover all our bases? IS Clinical's approach to sunscreen is by far my favorite. They have determined a way to microencapsulate the sunscreen to create little spheres of sunscreen that sit on your skin's surface without ever penetrating your skin. This means that not only are you truly shielded by that protective barrier, anything that is on your skin underneath that shield (meaning your high tech-ingredient serums and moisturizers) will never come into contact with the metals and chemicals necessary to ensure full UV protection.

Now don't go throwing away all your spf products yet- they are still effective for the body and, in a pinch, will do for your face! Being proactive about skincare is always a great idea, so have your fun in the sun, but be mindful of the damage that could be done!

Will you apply liberally?