Writer and expert5 days ago

FILORGA's top moisturising and protection tips for preparing your skin for the sun

However vital it may be, sunlight is one of the leading causes of skin ageing and can be harmful to the skin. But by taking just a few basic precautions, you can enjoy the benefits while keeping your skin radiant and healthy.

In this article, our experts shed some light on sunlight and explain the importance of exfoliation, moisturising, and protection. They'll also explain what you need to do to prepare your skin for the sun, including choosing the right creams and treatments to nourish and protect it. With the help of this comprehensive guide and FILORGA's range of suncare products, you'll be able to enjoy your summer with full peace of mind.

What happens when we're exposed to sunlight?

Sunlight consists of two kinds of ultraviolet radiation (UVA and UVB) and infrared radiation.

In moderate doses, it can be beneficial. Sunlight is vital for the synthesis of vitamin D, for example, which is essential for maintaining good bone health. And obviously, it makes you feel good!

But if exposure to the sun is not kept in check, or if we don't prepare our skin properly for the sun, it can suffer: burns, blemishes, premature skin ageing or, in the most severe cases, the development of cancerous melanomas.

So, to properly prepare your skin for the sun and choose the most effective protection, it's essential to understand how ultraviolet and infrared radiation affect the different layers of the skin.

UVA, as in Age.

UVA radiation penetrates deep into the skin, passing through the epidermis all the way to the dermis, and is largely responsible for premature skin ageing. Excessive exposure to this type of UV radiation alters the structure of collagen and elastin, which are the proteins that give the skin its tone and suppleness. These two molecules lose their respective properties when altered, making the skin less supple and inviting wrinkles to develop. On top of that, UVA radiation generates oxidative stress due to the production of skin cell-damaging free radicals.

UVB, as in Bronzed.

UVB radiation only penetrates as far as the skin's upper layer, the epidermis. This stimulates the production of melanin (the pigment responsible for tanning), which, in addition to its cosmetic appeal, acts as the skin's natural form of sun protection.

Melanin actually helps protect our DNA by absorbing UV radiation. UVB radiation also encourages epidermal cells to multiply, thickening the stratum corneum and making the skin stronger and less vulnerable to radiation.

It might sound like UVB radiation is an effective way of preparing your skin for the sun. But it's all about moderation:

Overexposure interferes with melanin production and leads to the appearance of liver spots
Too much UVB radiation without protection causes
It's also responsible for melanomas.

Infrared radiation.

The effects of this kind of radiation are not mitigated by melanin or a tan. Infrared radiation heats up and dries out the epidermis, creating the characteristic sensations of tingling and warmth on the skin. They also damage collagen fibres, accelerating skin ageing and the development of wrinkles and liver spots.

There is no way of filtering out infrared radiation in the same way that sun creams filter out UVA and UVB radiation. The only way to minimise its effects is to use antioxidants.

The ingredients to look for in quality sun protection.

Choosing the right sun cream is crucial to properly preparing your skin for the sun. Its job is to absorb UV radiation. To do so, it needs to contain specific filters to block UVA and UVB radiation. In premium products, these filters are further boosted by ingredients that increase their effectiveness.

These ingredients include high molecular weight hyaluronic acid and certain plant oils, and they form a film on the surface of the skin that helps to distribute the filters more evenly on its surface.

Niacinamide (vitamin B3) and antioxidants like beta-carotene are also used as boosters.

Laboratoires FILORGA's suncare products contain much more than just UV filters. They are all fortified with highly effective, powerful boosters to provide your skin with the best possible protection. They are also infused with 8% of anti-ageing actives.

How to best prepare your skin for the sun.

To get the perfect tan and keep your skin well protected, FILORGA's experts recommend the following routine:

Firstly, exfoliate.

Exfoliating means eliminating dead cells from the skin. Doing so gives you a fresh lick of paint, so to speak, and favours a uniform, radiant tan.

For facial protection, we advise that our customers prepare their skin for the sun one month prior to any exposure by using our SLEEP & PEEL 4.5 micro-peeling night cream. This cream stimulates cell regeneration thanks to active ingredients inspired by aesthetic medicine. Our experts then recommend avoiding peels and products with a high concentration of retinol or hydroxy acids during the summer, as these active ingredients make the skin more sensitive to sunlight.

Secondly, nourish.

Once the skin has been cleansed of dead cells, the second step in preparing your skin for the sun is simply to follow your usual FILORGA skincare routine. After being weakened by the UV and infrared radiation of the hot summer months, the skin requires nourishment and hydration.

This is when our HYDRA-HYAL range is your perfect ally.

Pro tip: for less shiny skin, we recommend using the lighter versions of our creams, such as the HYDRA-HYAL gel-cream, TIME-FILLER 5XP gel-cream, and NCEF-REVERSE MAT.

Thirdly, protect.

Your skin is now ready for sun protection, which should always be applied at the end of your skincare routine, even on overcast days (because UV radiation penetrates cloud cover) and in the city.

The FILORGA UV-CELLULAR PROTECT range :

Our UV-CELLULAR PROTECT FACE & BODY SPF50+ (add link to the PDP) is water-resistant, provides a triple protection against UVA and UVB and photo ageing caused by UV exposure. It has nourishing properties that are further enhanced by hyaluronic acid & niacinamide. The perfect ally against dark spots & dehydration.
Our UV CELLULAR PROTECT FACE SPF50+ (add link to the PDP) is a comprehensive anti-ageing shield infused with NCEF & peptides to target wrinkles and loss of firmness.
UV-CELLULAR PROTECT AFTER SUN (add link to the PDP) is our light and refreshing soothing gel that moisturises and nourishes the skin after being exposed to the sun thanks to a complex of four plant oils, hyaluronic acid, amino acids, and minerals.

And when your day out in the sun comes to an end, don't forget to remove any sun protection with a make-up remover!

In addition to the protection provided by your FILORGA products, you should also stick to these general safety guidelines:

Frequently reapply your sun cream, especially after sweating, swimming, or toweling yourself off — at least every two hours.
Even with the highest quality protection, you should avoid exposure to the sun when it's at its hottest. During the summer, this means between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Don't forget that too much sun is dangerous for your health.