How To Maintain Your Skin Color

You have bought an expensive or not-so-expensive skin lightening set, you have also created this fantastic day and night routine for yourself, and now you can see the results: your skin has gotten one or two shades lighter! Bravo!! Really, bravo!!!

Your skin has finally reached your desired complexion, so what next???
This is the part where many of us ladies, especially from this part of the world, miss it.

While I am personally not in support of skin lightening of any kind, I am in support of protecting your skin during the day. 

The sun is powerful than the strongest skin lightener in the world.
So, if you're not careful of what you do and use, you will not only end up with your previous complexion, you may become several shades darker than you were before. 

Find out why...

I know some of us will be like: "I don't go out in the sun". 
This is true if your house/office has no windows, you don't sit close to windows, your car's glasses are tinted 50% or more, or if you live in a cave!

We've all heard that unnecessary sun exposure is harmful and that we should avoid it; especially during the hours of 10 am to 4 pm. But in reality, this does not happen 100% of the time. We have to go out, go to work, attend functions, visit friends, run errands etc. So, whichever one you find yourself, exposure to the sun is unavoidable! 

From http://www.freevectors.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Hot-Sun-Vector.jpg

The sun releases ultraviolet rays A and B, well known as UVA and UVB.

UVB rays are the ones responsible for sunburn. 
Remember that time when you were standing at the bus-stop with no bus in sight, no "pure water seller" was forthcoming and the sun was scorching hot? 
That heat, that burning sensation on your skin was and is courtesy of UVB rays. They are the sun rays that you can feel.

UVA rays, on the other hand, are silent killers because you do not feel them. Yet, they are the rays responsible for sun-aging, skin cancer, wrinkles and weak immune system. They have the ability to penetrate through clear glass into deeper layers of the skin and kill skin cells. 
So it doesn't matter if your car's AC is chilling at "mortuary-standard" temperature. UVA will still penetrate.

*** 

If you lighten or plan to lighten your skin, 

wearing sunscreen MUST be top priority to you! 

Because exposing yourself to the sun is the surest way to get old faster.

***

Scary right? Yeah but there's a solution:
Wear broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher. 

This is not only limited to ladies; men are inclusive as well. The sun will burn anyone, male or female, irrespective of skin color or race; no matter how dark or pigmented your skin is. Kindly remind me again who came up with the notion that black skin don't get burnt???

Most people have dark face and fresh body, men especially. The reason is because clothes serve as a means of protection from burning sun rays. Any other part that is seldom covered gets scorched. Ouch! 

In a bid to provide solution to facial sun burns and wrinkles, I have provided, in no particular order, a list of some dual-purpose sunscreens below. 

Don't we all love 2-in-1s?

1. Avon Anew Clinical Skinvincible Broad Spectrum Multi-Shield Lotion SPF 50.

Avon Anew Skinvincible Lotion SPF 50

I know I said it here in my Step 5 that I am yet to find any other sunscreen to replace my Olay Regenerist Regenerating Lotion SPF 15. Well, that's no longer correct because I have. 

I was gradually running out and the store where I got it from took a while before they restocked it. So, I went through Paula's Choice Beautypedia Review for "Best Moisturizers with Sunscreen" and found this. When I found out it was available on Konga.com, I didn't give it a second thought. I just bought it.

I use this on my face and neck every morning after Steps 3 and 4. At night, I stop at either Step 3 or 4 depending on my mood.

2. Olay Regenerist Regenerating Lotion with Sunscreen Broad Spectrun SPF 15.

As soon as my Avon Skinvincible was delivered, Olay Regenerist automatically became my body sunscreen of choice. I use this on my arms and legs. Literally any part of body that clothes did not cover. It is also a moisturizer with sunscreen.
Even though the Avon is SPF 50, for some reasons I can't explain, I love my Olay Regenerist SPF 15 more!

My Sunscreen Duo.

3. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45.

This is one sunscreen I will never forget in a hurry. This was the first sunscreen I bought and fell in love with. The first sunscreen I used up completely, Olay Regenerist being second. 
It is pure sunscreen that lives up to its name, "Ultra Sheer" and "Dry-Touch". 

Unlike many sunscreens that were notorious for being too oily and heavy, I did not find Neutrogena Sunscreen with SPF 45 oily at all. Plus, it didn't leave any annoying white streaks. [I remember my Sebamed SPF 50, ewww!]
The Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch range is available in SPFs 30, 45, 55, 65, 75, 85, 95 and 100. Read online reviews for yourself and you will find out that the SPF 45 is rated best for everyday use.

So, if you're going to the beach during the day, or you're doing a field job, or you just want a sunscreen that will serve the singular purpose of sun protection and nothing else, this is the one to go hunting for.
It's great for use all over the body. I always recommend this for men.

4. Ambi Even & Clear Daily Moisturizer with Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30.

Left [pack with product in it].
Right: Actual product

This sunscreen lotion, apart from its job of protecting and moisturizing, also helps with evening skin tone and texture with daily use. That alone makes this great 3 in 1 product such great value for your money! Thanks to its Soy Extract and Vitamin C. 

5. Olay Anti-Wrinkle Sensitive Skin Daily Lotion SPF 15.

If you're allergic to most sunscreens or your skin is currently in a situation where it is sensitive to almost anything, this is the sunscreen of choice. It is very lightweight, oil-free, color-free and fragrance free.
Most sunscreens for sensitive skin are mineral based and usually contain Titanium Dioxide.
Synthetic sunscreens usually contain Avobenzone, Homosalate, Octocrylene etc.

Titanium Dioxide underlined in pink

Last and not the least for this list is:
6. Nivea Pure & Sensitive Sun Lotion SPF 30.

This is another great sun protection lotion for sensitive skin. As with all sunscreen, apply a generous amount. This sun lotion is aloe vera based, free of fragrance, color and preservatives. Even though Nivea said it is fragrance-free, it has this nice smell [which I have no idea how it came to be] that doesn't linger.  It also contains titanium dioxide.
It is great as an all over body lotion. 

Titanium Dioxide underlined in pink

Below is a sunscreen infograph I culled from Paula's choice.

http://www.paulaschoice.com/expert-advice/sun-care/_/infographic-the-sun-is-doing-what-to-my-skin

Some ingredients in skincare products can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight [photo-sensitive].

1. AHAs: Glycolic acid, Malic acid, Lactic Acid etc
2. BHAs: Salicylic acid
3. Hydroquinone
4. Benzoyl Peroxide
5. Citrus oils: Lemon, lime or grapefruit oils
6. Vitamin C. 
Because you may not be able to completely avoid them, the manufacturers of such products always advise wearing broad spectrum sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher. 

TIPS: Always look out for the "SunBurn Alert", "Warning", and "Directions" signs written on the pack of the product and read them before use!

Sunburn Alert!

It's always best to read and follow the instructions
of any skincare product.

Finally, in addition to wearing a sunscreen, you can give yourself some added sun protection by wearing wide brim hats [for women] and face caps [for men], that is if you can. 
Read up on more sun protection tips here.

And if you are like me that hate to wear sunscreen, you are NOT alone! 
I have forced myself to wear it everyday so much so, it is now second nature. 
After seeing the sunburns on my face and shoulders fade away completely; even that annoying bra mark is faded, I am convinced that the ultimate key to healthy, glowing skin is to wear sunscreen everyday!

Now that you know what to do to maintain that lovely yellowness, fairness or glowing ebony skin, it's time for you to do some sunscreen shopping! Glowing skin, anyone?

Sincerely from me,

Ifeoma.