There is still very much an obsession that you only need to wear sun cream when the sun is out, I hear it from friends and colleagues in the warmer months that they must 'grab some sun cream' instead of it being something they think about all year round, those 365 days that you should be wearing it and it is a conversation that needs to change. I do wear sun cream every single day and it is as important a part of your skincare routine as your serums, moisturisers and make up. I have fair skin and thus need a decent level of protection from those pesky UVA AND UVB rays and because I have two patches of pigmentation/dark spots on my forehead from sun damage from when I was younger, I am conscious that I do all I can to protect them from any further deterioration.
Institut Estherderm kindly sent over two products from their Sun Care range which I am sharing with you today. First is the Adaptasun Sensitive Protective Face Care, Strong Sun and the second product is their After Sun Firming Anti-wrinkle Face Care. Unlike most brands, Institut Estherderm use the UV index which is used in meteorology and also recommended by the World Health Organisation, so on their packaging you will see the words Low Sun, Normal to Strong Sun and Strong Sun being the highest form of coverage.
When I pick my sun care, I am incredibly picky about what I will and will not use on my skin, especially my face. As well as wanting good quality products, I also want a formula which is non-greasy or tacky and one which doesn't leave my skin as though I have covered it in a block of lard. Ideally, I like something that is similar to the texture of a serum or a lightweight moisturiser and easy to apply. I get all of those with this Adaptasun Sensitive Protective Face Care (£41 50ml). This sun protection cream helps to prepare skin for sun exposure, whilst at the same time working to prevent the visible signs of photo-ageing on the skin and better still, it is designed for use both before and during periods of prolonged sun exposure.
The advice when using this product is to apply it in advance of sun exposure to help prepare skin, ideally applying to the face and décolleté 20 minutes before exposure and then remembering to reapply every two hours for maximum efficacy. On the skin, whilst the formula is really lightweight and it applies so smoothly, you don't even know it is there. There is no after-greasy feel and I am now wanting to try the rest of the collection because it has been such a nice product to use.
The second product, After Sun Firming Anti-wrinkle Face Care (£38 50ml) is described as being a soothing, repairing anti-wrinkle cream which works to rehydrate and calm warm sensations after sun exposure. I have, until now, not come across an After Sun product that I have continuously reached for, but this I absolutely love using.
The fluid-like texture is cooling when applied and its job is to restructure and smooth wrinkles and fine lines. I find this cream, which is definitely more serum-like to be really hydrating without being greasy, tacky or too heavy on the skin, and whilst one of its jobs is to prolong and enhance your tan, for me, the importance is limiting the damage caused by over-exposure in the sun.
Sun cream is a product that we should all be using and still many only reach out for it during the warmer months of the year, high street stores are quick to put up their offerings as soon as the Summer months arrive rather than all year round, so when you find a product you really like to use, stock up and use it every single day, not only will your skin thank you for it, you will be thanking yourself for it. Brands like Institut Esthederm make it easy to love a product and want to use it, rather than put it off.
to name just a few.