As a dermatologist and creator of Stamina Cosmetics, I cannot let the month of May, National Skin Cancer Awareness Month, pass us by without sharing with you the importance of skin resilience and how to enhance longevity of our skin through sun protection.
In America, skin cancer is alarmingly the most common cancer, with Melanoma as the most dangerous skin cancer, killing 8,000 individuals yearly.
We’ve all known for a long time now that the most common culprit for skin cancer is UV radiation (sun damage), yet, without hesitation so many of us still step into the sunlight without a skin-care routine or sunscreen. Over time, UV damage can take a toll on your skin and its underlying connective tissue. Unprotected sun exposure is a significant skin stressor. Here are some common questions answered:
What does sun exposure do to your skin?
- Predispose you to skin cancer.
- Potentially lead to a tender sunburn.
- Leave your skin vulnerable and diminish skin stamina.
- Lead to premature skin aging (destruction of elastic and collagen fibers leads to uneven texture, wrinkles, lines and saggy skin as well as blotchy complexion and skin discolorations such as dark spots and blemishes).
What is a good skin routine for when you’ll be exposed to the sun?
- Reinforce skin with Adaptogenic Moisturizer (such as our Stamina Intention Moisturizer) twice daily to reinforce the skin barrier and protect, energize, and balance skin.
- Use sunscreen every morning and reapply often. Here are some of our favorites: Protectif, Simpli, Eucerin Sensitive, Neutrogena Sheer Zinc, Alastin Hydratint, Skin Better Tone Smart and Cetaphil Sun. These sunscreens are chemical-free and are potent skin stamina protectors against the sun damage.
- Practice integrative skin care through Stamina Synergy. Bringing together wellness for physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental stamina via integrative skincare ritual.
Skin Adaptogens – What are they and how can they protect you?
- Skin Adaptogens help to protect skin against environmental aggressors, such as UV Radiation. They assist sunscreens in fortifying the skin against sun damage mainly as antioxidants. They also protect, equilibrate, and revitalize skin against other skin stressors such as smoke and pollution. With Stamina Cosmetics products, our ingredients will help keep skin stronger and fortified against environmental damage to slow down aging and amplify radiance. Some studied adaptogens that are beneficial for the skin, which improves skin stamina by enhancing stress tolerance and allowing skin to thrive, are:
- Curcumin
- Resveratrol
- Green Tea
- Gotu Kola
- Cordyceps Mushrooms
Our Intention Moisturizer has these adaptogens and gives energy, strength & endurance to your skin!
Hopefully we don’t only think about skin cancer safety during the month of May, but we encourage you, this month and all summer, to begin a safe and effective skincare routine that will protect you from UV rays and other skin aggressors. We also urge you to visit your board-certified dermatologist if you do notice any abnormal spots on your skin changing or darkening.
Follow Stamina @staminacosmetics for more tips and advice on a journey to healthy, restorative skin on a healthy #DoseofStamina.
Be Well,
Integrative Dermatologist & Founder of Stamina® Cosmetics
