How to properly prepare your skin for the sun?

Why prepare your skin before sun exposure?

Contrary to popular belief, preparing your skin does not mean tanning faster, but rather strengthening its ability to defend against sun damage.

 

By preparing your skin for the sun, you strengthen your skin barrier to prevent dehydration, and reduce the risks of skin inflammation and sunburn. You also limit the appearance of pigmentation spots and premature aging, and promote a gradual and even tan.

 

Preparing your skin for the sun, means giving it all the tools to face UV rays in a healthier and more sustainable way.

Adopting a "solar" diet

Nutrition plays a key role in skin health and can help it better defend against UV rays.

So, which foods should be prioritized?

• Fruits and vegetables rich in beta-carotene: carrots, sweet potatoes, mangoes, spinach... They promote the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for tanning;

• Foods rich in antioxidants: tomatoes (lycopene), blueberries, green tea, citrus fruits. They help fight against free radicals generated by sun exposure;

• Sources of omega-3: fatty fish, walnuts, flax seeds. These fatty acids enhance the suppleness and resilience of the skin.

It is recommended to start enriching your diet 3 to 4 weeks before regular sun exposure.

What about solar supplements?

Solar dietary supplements are capsules rich in carotenoids, vitamins (A, C, E), selenium, and zinc. They help prepare the skin for the sun, enhance pigmentation, and prevent aging.

 

However, attention: scientific studies have shown that these carotenoids have only a very limited ability to protect the skin against the effects of solar radiation. Since 2012, claims of skin protection, maintenance of suppleness, or good skin condition have been prohibited for the following carotenoids:

• Lycopene;
• Beta-carotene;
• Zeaxanthin.

Moreover, taken as dietary supplements, borage oil, evening primrose oil, or grape seed oil, which contain omega-6 fatty acids, help protect the skin from the drying effects of sun exposure.

 

Also note that these supplements never replace sunscreen, and their effectiveness depends on regularity and skin type. Consult a healthcare professional before taking them, especially in cases of skin conditions or pregnancy.

 

Deeply hydrate your skin

The sun dries out the skin, weakens the hydrolipidic barrier, and accelerates water loss. Well-hydrated skin will be more resistant, less prone to irritations and aging.

 

Some good habits to hydrate your skin:

• Apply a moisturizing cream morning and evening. Favor treatments based on hyaluronic acid, allantoin, and plant squalane, which are powerful moisturizing agents. The Grangettes anti-aging face cream pampers your skin barrier by hydrating it intensely and durably. If you have sensitive skin, opt for the Grangettes soothing cream: with hyaluronic acid, olive squalane, allantoin, and betaine, it deeply hydrates for soft and supple skin. It soothes sensitive skin with bisabolol and reduces the feeling of tightness for balanced and healthy skin;

 

• Pamper your skin around the eyes: thinner, it is also more sensitive to external aggressions such as UV rays. The Grangettes eye contour gel has tightening effects and acts on wrinkles, puffiness, and dark circles, visibly reducing signs of skin sagging. It is enriched with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide (vitamin B3), and improves skin elasticity for a rejuvenated look;

 

• Don't forget the body, often neglected: the Grangettes regenerating moisturizing body milk skillfully combines moisturizing ingredients such as hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, prunus armeniaca (apricot), squalane (olive), and dipalmitoyl hydroxyproline for deep and lasting hydration.

 

Hydrate your skin daily, at least two weeks before regular sun exposure.

 

Prepare your skin in the shower

It is rarely considered, but shower care also contributes to skin preparation. Avoid harsh products (aggressive soaps, sulfate shower gels) that damage the hydrolipidic film.

 

Prefer:

• nourishing shower oils;

• Shower gels soap-free and with neutral pH;

• Lukewarm water rather than very hot, which dries out the skin.

Choose a good sunscreen from the first rays

Even if you are exposed little, the skin undergoes the effects of the sun daily. It is important to apply sun protection from the first exposures.

 

Key points:

• Choose an appropriate SPF level (30 minimum, 50 for fair skin);

• Use a broad-spectrum cream (UVA + UVB);

• Apply 30 minutes before exposure;

• Refresh the application every 2 hours and after each swim.

The face, neck, ears, décolleté, and the backs of the hands are often forgotten: do not neglect them!

Expose yourself gradually and intelligently

The skin needs time to get used to the sun. Gradual exposure reduces the risk of sunburns and prepares the skin to better defend itself. Start with 10 to 15 minutes per day, gradually increasing. Avoid the hottest hours (between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.) at all costs, and wear light clothing, a hat, and sunglasses.

 

Even when tanned, continue to protect yourself! Tanning is not an effective shield against UV rays.

Avoid common mistakes to properly prepare your skin for the sun

Certain practices can compromise the health of your skin, even if you think you are doing well.

To be absolutely avoided:

• Use tanning oil without UV filter;

• Sunbathing immediately after a hair removal or an intense scrub;

• Expose skin under photosensitizing treatment (certain antibiotics, essential oils...) ;

• Believing that you don't need protection when there are clouds: UV rays pass through!

Caution is the best ally of healthy skin.

And after exposure? Post-sun care

Properly preparing your skin for the sun also means soothing and repairing it after each exposure. This helps to prolong the tan, prevent peeling, and limit cellular damage.

The right actions after exposure:

• Take a lukewarm shower to remove salt, sand, chlorine, and sunscreen;

• Apply a soothing after-sun care based on hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, or calendula;

• Continue to drink plenty of water to rehydrate the skin from the inside.