When you use well-formulated and functional products, it is beneficial to keep the skin protected to sustain the effects and a healthy-looking complexion. Functional ingredients, like Vitamin A, can, in the long-term, help strengthen the skin's natural protection and create or maintain the appearance of a radiant, glowing complexion.

The Sun – Friend & Foe of the skin

The sun is vital in so many ways, providing us with warmth, energy, and Vitamin D. Despite its importance, the sun is a major contributing factor to skin damage. In this journal, we’ll look at how balancing time in the sun with a balanced skincare routine is significant.

The aforementioned Vitamin D plays an essential role in our overall health. It also has an impact on the teeth and bones inside our bodies. Vitamin D is important for preserving a stable immune system. Depending on where you live in the world, it may not be possible to obtain enough sun, thus Vitamin D, during the whole year. This also applies to those that have fully covered clothing around the year. In those cases adding Vitamin D from food or supplements may be necessary.

Although the sun is fundamental, it is also good to know that staying in the sun without protection can easily cause damage to the skin. To retain good skin health and the results you get from your skincare routine, it is important to understand the effects of the sun and sunburnt skin. It is an essential part of achieving and maintaining good skin health.

Using functional ingredients

Many functional ingredients can be used during the day, but it is recommended that they are paired with an SPF product to protect the skin. The latter is an important step regardless of the season. Not protecting the skin when we work with results-driven skincare can also affect the results achieved. We will take a closer look at the ingredients and considerations for skin protection below.

Hero ingredients: Retinol 8 & NEAR 1

Two of our functional hero ingredients within the Verso range are our Retinoids Retinol 8 and Verso´s unique patented molecule NEAR 1. They are both a Vitamin A Complex, and they are both suitable for use during the day (as well as during the night). Please keep in mind that we recommend ending your daytime routine with high sun protection, preferably SPF 30 or 50. This is to maintain the results of your skincare products and the look of healthy skin. 

If you have applied a product with Retinol 8 or NEAR 1 in the morning along with sunscreen and will go out for lunch, it's perfectly fine. However, the ingredient may have a reduced effect if you go out immediately after applying your product. Retinoids can break down in sunlight, which is why we have additional requirements for packaging products with Retinol 8 and NEAR 1. This adds to preserving the formulation’s ability to stay effective. 

It is not uncommon to experience an increased appearance of dryness or visible sensitivity when introducing certain forms of Retinoids. Initially, the skin could be more sensitive during the day during the introduction period. But if Vitamin A is used for a more extended period and the skin is balanced, there is no need to be worried. 

Considerations

Our geographical location, season, climate, and time of day affect how strong the sun’s rays are. Another thing that affects the sun's effect on the skin is how long we are in the sun and how we choose to protect ourselves. Staying unprotected for extended periods in the sun could cause severe skin damage.

To get the best conditions for good protection, you can consider the following:

• Use at least SPF30.
• Apply a generous amount.
• Re-apply the sunscreen during the day when needed.
• Be extra careful in the middle of the day; it can be beneficial to supplement your protection with clothes, a cap/hat, and stay in the shadow whenever possible.

Antioxidants to help maintain beautiful skin

• Apply sun protection with potent antioxidants to help protect the skin from the visible effects of environmental stressors and strengthen the skin’s natural protection.
• Vitamin A; Retinol 8 and NEAR 1 can strengthen your skin´s natural defenses and inspire visibly rejuvenated skin.
• Vitamin B, Niacinamide, has been shown to have strengthening properties improving the skin´s natural skin protection.
• Vitamin C enhances the skin’s natural protection and helps to improve the appearance of dull skin.
• Vitamin E helps support other functional ingredients, especially other antioxidants like Vitamin A and Vitamin C.

We would also like to highlight

If you have any sunspots concerns, always consult your dermatologist or doctor. It is essential to end your daily skincare routine with sunscreen and understand the sun's effect on the skin to maintain healthy-looking skin.