Playing in the sun is not fun if you have to deal with sunburn afterward.  On long, hot summer days, we are all tempted to spend the day relaxing poolside or at the beach, and most of us have suffered the consequences of too much sun exposure.  The desire for the perfect golden tan can sometimes lead to sunburns, which is very harmful for the skin.  If you suffer from acne, a sunburn can further damage your skin and cause permanent scarring.

Sunburn is a delayed inflammatory reaction when the skin is exposed to excessive ultraviolet radiation.  Symptoms of mild sunburn, including redness, tenderness and pain, often occur a few hours after exposure, and can last for several days.  The pain, itching and peeling is the skin’s reaction to excessive UVA and UVB ray exposure.  Although the skin needs time to heal, there are some remedies and treatments available to help the skin repair itself.

Get out of the sun

It may sound simple enough, but we often do not realize we are sunburned until it is too late. Since it is a delayed reaction, the full extent and severity of the burn may not appear until up to 12 hours after exposure.   Stop your sun exposure by seeking shade from trees, umbrellas, hats, etc.  Drink lots  of water, since sunburn causes dehydration.  Get some immediate relief for the pain by adding baking soda to a cool bath, and wear loose clothing that does not stick to the body.

Reduce the pain

Anti-inflammatory medicine such as Advil or Ibuprofen can help relieve the redness and pain associated with sunburn.  Aloe vera is a popular treatment for sunburn thanks to its ability to moisturize and repair the skin.  Apply a moisturizing cream containing Aloe vera, and if possible, apply the gel from the actual plant to the affected areas.  Once the burn heals, the skin will begin to peel and may become itchy.  Fight the temptation to pick and scratch, which can irritate the skin a slow the healing process.  Instead, keep the skin moisturized by applying a moisturizing lotion, which can reduce itching.

Prevent sunburn

The best way to deal with sunburn is to not get one.   Sunburn may only seem harmless and temporary, but can have lasting effects on the skin and overall health.  Serious sunburn can cause blisters, shock, lead to cancer and even death if left untreated.  Protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays by applying sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outside.  Wear loose, protective clothing and avoid staying outside for too long during peak hours (10am to 4pm), when sunrays are harsh.  Choose a sunscreen with SPF of at least 30, and use sun-protection products that contain zinc oxide, an inorganic ingredient that can deflect UVA rays.  Try Vivoderm’s zinc cream, a natural product that can be used as a nontoxic sunscreen with 15% Zinc Oxide.

(2009 re-post) Van Le is a staff writer for the CSU Daily Titan and writing intern for Vivoderm Laboratories in Los Angeles, California. She is currently pursuing a Journalism degree at California State University, Fullerton.

Dermascope magazine featuring The Vivoderm Anti Aging Daily Moisturizer January 2015.

“The Anti Aging Daily Moisturizer by Vivoderm is a new, oil-free facial moisturizer infused with comfrey, aloe vera and vitamin E to erase wrinkles and fine lines and heal aging skin. This gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer is super lightweight and ideal for normal to combination skin types. It provides potent natural ingredients for skin moisture and balance. St. John’s Wort and Rosemary supply anti-aging and antioxidant benefits while sage and grape seed soothe and tone the skin.”

May 2014, The Vivoderm Intense Moisturizer is featured in the DERMSTORE email blast.

Les Nouvelle Esthetique Magazine features the 100% herbal Anti Aging facial mask from Vivoderm in March 2014.

This 100% herbal and natural mask is designed to wake up and invigorate your skin. Made from pure pulverized herbs and no chemicals.

If you suffer from damaged and dull facial skin, and would like to brighten and smooth your skin, this is the mask for you.

WINTER SKIN CARE during the long winter months means your skin needs protection from cold weather and reduced humidity. Switching to winter-friendly products can keep your skin looking healthy and beautiful.  Following are some great tips to keep your skin glowing and healthy all winter long.

DRINK LOTS of WATER and HOT HERBAL TEAS:

Proper hydration and water consumption is very important to keeping our bodies healthy and our skin from cracking and itching in low humidity and heated environments. Be sure to drink at least 64oz of water per day. Replacing plain water with herbal teas is also beneficial for the warming properties and natural herbal benefits such as anti- inflammatory Chamomile or tummy-soothing Peppermint. Try to stay away from caffeinated beverages, as these can actually increase dehydration.

Water gives the skin a radiant, healthy, younger looking complexion, reduces wrinkles and allows skin to maintain its elasticity and suppleness. Keeping skin hydrated from the outside in – such as using lotions and skin moisturizers – is commonly needed more often in cold, dry months like winter.

USE A QUALITY MOISTURIZER

When there is a change of the epidermal (top, exposed layer of skin) barrier and reduced water content in the top layer of skin, moisturizers are a key component of basic skin care. They are used to restore the protective barrier function of the skin, to cover tiny tears or cracks, to provide a soothing protective film and increase the water-content of the epidermis. They may, slow evaporation of the skin’s moisture, thereby maintaining hydration and improving the appearance of dry and aging skin.

Ingredients that aid skin hydration and smoothness are: Aloe Vera, Jojoba oil, Cocoa Butter, Almond Oil, Propylene Glycol, Vitamin E and Hyaluronic Acid.

KEEP HEATING ELEMENTS AT A LOWER TEMPERATURE

Water consumption and moisturizing is not the only factor in keeping skin hydrated and moist. Many external elements can be damaging and drying to the skin, such as too-hot baths or showers and keeping your indoor heat on high temperatures.  Also consider using a humidifier in your room or office, since it returns the moisture into the air and help the skin stay hydrated.

CHANGE YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE

During the winter, cold temperatures can lead to dry and cracked skin.  Switch to a mild soap or cream facial cleanser to help keep your skin smooth and soft as opposed to dry and tight after washing.  Products that contain natural moisture such as Aloe vera are also excellent, since they are not harsh on dry, winter skin.
Winter air literally sucks moisture from your skin, so moisturizing is a crucial step in winter skin care.   Even more important to moisturizing is choosing the right product.  Products containing mineral oil, almond oil, or avocado oil work especially well since they keep the skin hydrated without clogging pores.

Moisturizing right after a warm shower will help seal in the water and prevent dry skin.

PROTECT YOUR SKIN FROM UV RAYS

Just because it is cold outside does not mean you should toss your sunscreen tube.  Even when you can’t feel the heat, the sun is still emitting harmful UVA and UVB rays, so it still important to protect your skin.  Apply a moisturizer that contains an SPF of at least 15, or use products containing zinc oxide, which acts as a natural barrier between your skin and the sun.  Surprisingly, the sun’s reflective power on snow can be as high as 80%, so it is possible to be sunburned after spending a day on the ski slopes without sun protection.

Don’t forget to help your lips battle harsh winter conditions with plenty of lip balm  as well.

Winter skin care may differ from summer skin care in the type of products used, but the regimen for healthy skin is the same year round: cleanse, moisturize and protect.