How To Protect Yourself From The Sun In The City
Photos DR
Words Anthony Vincent
Share the article on
If the sunglasses add to your style, the sunscreen helps you to have a long time for fresh skin.
From the first moments of sunshine, you generally don't hesitate to get your sunglasses out. But for sunscreen, it's a whole different story. Your skin is in need of sun protection during the time you take to get to the office, an after-work on the terrace, or a sunny getaway during a long weekend. Because it’s during these first moments of sunshine that the risk of sunburn is most present, since skin that’s just barely out of winter isn’t prepared to tan and is all the more in need of protection.
Sun is more dangerous in the city
In the city in particular, it’s essential to protect yourself your skin because of urban pollution (carbon monoxide, vehicle exhaust gases, heavy metals, not to mention the stress of active life which accelerates skin ageing) can aggravate the sun’s countless harmful effects. Especially since the white walls and glass facades of city buildings strongly reflect the sun's rays. Worse, UVA rays (which penetrate deeper into the skin than UVB rays) even pass through windows, reaching you even when you're inside your car or at the office.
Urban filter every morning
From the beginning of spring, it’s in your best interest to opt for sun protection to start tanning safely and do your part to prevent skin damage and ageing. Overall, the sun protection index (aka SPF for Sun Protection Factor) must be at least equal to or greater than 20 if you care about your health. This minimum is suitable for darker skin, while an SPF 50 will better protect lighter skin. For the majority of the population, an index of 30 should suffice. Luckily, we have an SPF 30 version of our Mattifying Face Moisturiser..
Practical sunscreens to carry on you
The most sensitive, reactive skin, prone to redness and rosacea even benefit from keeping compact sun protection on it. Just as you don't wait until you're on vacation to slip your sunglasses into your bag ‘just in case,’ sunscreen should also become a reflex, provided you choose a practical format that’s always at hand.
As a product’s sun protection degrades more and more after hours of exposure, you can keep some in stock in your bag or in a desk drawer in order to easily reapply it after a lunch on the terrace or before a visit to the rooftop.
Again, sunscreen does not prevent tanning. On the contrary, it will even help you get a healthier and lasting tan since your skin will be healthier. Protecting yourself well in town will prevent you from being the only lobster on the beach once you’re really on vacation.
