Summer has officially arrived, and wooooweee--is it ever hot! Now, before you head out for a day of fun in the sun, let’s talk real quick about sun protection. Not to sound like your mama, but if she told you to always wear your sunscreen before you leave the house, then she was right! Do you know that 90% of visible aging is caused by exposure to the sun? It’s the truth! I believe that makes your bottle of sunscreen a literal fountain of youth--but only if you use it, and use it properly!

Here are my top 3 tips for keeping your skin looking young and healthy all year round...

1) Apply Natural Mineral Foundation Daily

If you’re like me, most days you’re in a real hurry to get going and you don’t want the hassle of an extensive skincare routine. Well, I have fantastic news for you skincare minimalists out there. If you make a habit of applying our Southern Magnolia Loose Mineral Foundation each morning, then you’ve got built-in sun protection already going to work for you.

If you know anything about our ingredients, then you already know that we don’t put anything in our makeup that we wouldn’t put in our bodies. All of our products are made from pure minerals, plant extracts, and natural oils. The first ingredient in our loose mineral powder foundations is zinc oxide, a mineral that sits on top of your skin and reflects away both UVA and UVB rays. That’s natural broad spectrum protection for you!

2) Re-apply Sunscreen Frequently

While your zinc mineral foundation does a great job of shielding your skin from UV rays for normal activities, outdoor and water activities do require another level of sun protection. To avoid sunburn (and the dreaded skin cancer down the road), apply a natural zinc oxide-based sunscreen to any exposed skin throughout the day. Some sunscreens are effective for longer periods of time than others, so be sure to check out the instructions for your specific brand. No matter what brand you choose, look for a minimum of SPF 30 and 20% zinc oxide.

Why do I recommend a zinc oxide sunscreen over a chemical sunscreen? Because zinc oxide scatters UV rays away from your skin, while chemical sunscreens absorb damaging rays into your skin. Think of mineral sunscreens, also known as physical sunscreens, as a shield and chemical sunscreens act more like a sponge. Not only does a chemical sunscreen increase the heat and inflammation in your skin, but it also causes me to wonder what chemicals I’m absorbing through my skin into the rest of my body.

If it’s clean beauty we’re interested in, then non-toxic, chemical-free sunscreen is what we want to look for.

3) Protect Your Skin With Antioxidants

We all hear the word “antioxidants” thrown around, but what are they, really? Maybe they sound like they might be good for you, but you’re not sure how or why. Am I right? Well, here’s the basic idea: Antioxidants are natural vitamins and minerals that protect your skin against free radicals. Free radicals are molecules in the environment that wreak havoc on our skin, weakening our youthful collagen and making us look older than we really are. No thanks!

There are a few ways to get more of that antioxidant protection in your life.

• Eat a rainbow. Now don’t get your hopes up, I’m not talkin’ about a bag of Skittles here, ladies. I’m talking about a diet full of God-given natural colors. Enjoying a wide variety of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and white foods means you’re giving your body a natural source of protection against environmental and UV damage. Every color you see in your food represents a different antioxidant. Isn’t that somethin’?

• Apply antioxidants to your skin. While your healthy diet is working hard for you on the inside, applying antioxidants to your skin on the outside provides another layer of defense against life-sucking free radicals. Here are a few Southern Magnolia products you might like to try that give you a built-in antioxidant boost:
  • 3% Acai Berry Antioxidant Glycolic Facial Cleanser
  • Antioxidant Hydrating Age Reversing Organic Eye Cream
  • Antioxidant Creme Lipstick - Whipped

• Take an astaxanthin supplement. If you’ve ever heard of internal sunscreen, they weren’t talking about taking a swig from your bottle of sunscreen. Astaxanthin is basically a source of antioxidants on steroids, except without the steroids. Not only has it been shown to help smooth wrinkles and minimize age spots, but it also builds up a well of natural sun protection in your skin. If you know you’re going to be out in the sun while on vacation or playing sports, begin taking astaxanthin about two weeks ahead of time to enjoy the benefits of internal sunscreen power. (You can try this one, but of course I need to remind you that I’m not a doctor and you should take supplements with the advice of your personal physician.)

I hope this helps you as the summer months have you outside more than ever. (Although I have to say, sunscreen is just as important during the cooler, cloudy days.) Stay safe out there and don’t forget your common sense… like wearing a hat and sun-protective clothing. Oops--now here I am sounding like your mama again. LOL!

Live, laugh, and wear sunscreen!

• Barb