Enemy No. 2: SUN
Experts estimate that sun exposure is responsible for at least a whopping 80 percent of the signs of aging on your face. Ultraviolet light damages skin cells and causes the DNA to malfunction. The unpleasant result: wrinkles, uneven skin tone and texture, and possibly even skin cancer. Worse yet, it’s a vicious cycle—the more ravage your skin, the more vulnerable it is to future damage.
Best defense: You know the drill by heart: Slathering on a UVA/UVB-blocking sun-screen with a minimum SPF of 15 every day of the year (yes, even in February!) is an absolute must. But screen alone can’t keep you completely damage-free. For even better protection, arm yourself with a double-duty SFP cream that contains antioxidants. These may help prevent further damage to skin’s DNA. Try Avon Anew Biologie + Skin Optimizer SPF 15, or Helena Rubinstein Urban Active3 Cream. Don’t forget: Lotions wear off during the day, so reapply often to save face. And stay tuned: Clinical trials have begun for a morning-after cream containing a natural enzyme. If it works as well as preliminary studies suggest, you should be able to apply it after a day at the beach to repair DNA damage and help prevent skin cancer.
