How To Worship The Sun and Love Your Skin Too!

Written by Amirah G.
Updated May 22, 2005

Since the time of the Egyptians the sun has been worshipped for its ability to provide life and energy to all living things.  With regard to your skin however,  the sun's benefits are at best a mixture of good and bad.  The skin needs the sun's rays to receive and synthesize vitamin D.  Moderate sun exposure has even been known to lower blood pressure. Unfortunately it has been shown by the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Stratospheric Protection Division that these rays are the very same sun's rays that are the major factor for the one in five Americans who develop skin cancer.  Excessive ultraviolet (UV) ray exposure can cause premature aging of the skin, cataracts, skin cancers and immune system suppression. Excessive exposure to UV radiation can also painfully burn the cornea of the eye.

The rays that are most often associated with sunburns are UVB rays and the EPA says that 80 percent of all sun damage comes from them. But UVA rays, though less damaging in the short term, are not to be ignored. They penetrate the skin more deeply than UVB rays, reaching the dermis directly and wreaking havoc by drying out sweat glands, altering your collagen and elastin, giving you permanent wrinkles and causing serious damage to the DNA of dermal cells.

Since staying inside away from the sun is not an option for those of us who love being in the sun (I know I can't wait for the warm weather to finally come to New York City), we will have to make the effort to take actions that will minimize or avoid sun damage.  Here are some things you can do:

1. Try to limit your sun exposure to the hours before 10am and after 4pm, when UV rays are at their lowest levels.  Remember that the specific activity is not as important as the sun exposure period.  It doesn't matter if you are golfing, jogging, food shoping, or if you are simply driving with your arm out the window of the car - it all can add up to long-term sun damage. The EPA says that even on overcast days, 30 to 60 percent of the sun's rays can penetrate to the Earth's surface. So be sure to wear a hat, sunglasses and other protective clothing. And while you're doing those things, also put on a broad-spectrum sunscreen, with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15, to absorb both UVA and UVB rays. Cellex C  Sun Care SPF 15 or  is optimal for daily use. This state-of-the-art, broad-spectrum sunblock contains 5% transparent zinc oxide to help protect against the damaging effects of UVA and UVB rays. This cosmetically elegant and moisturizing sunblock is ideal for all skin types and can be applied under makeup. 

2. If you recognize that you need to limit your sun exposure but really love the way your skin looks with a tan (who doesn't?) why not try Cellex C Bio Tan Sunless Tanning Gel or   Bronzing agents deliver a sun-kissed glow immediately, make application simple and eliminate streaking. Skin quickly achieves a natural, golden color. Essential fruit oils and extracts provide a pleasant, light scent.

3. While you are jogging or taking the bicycle for a spin why not arm yourself with Cellex C's Sun Care SPF 30+ Now you can smooth on ultra-waterproof, SPF30+ sun protection without drying alcohol. This silky, smooth, fragrance and paba-free cream provides light moisturization in combination with photo-aging protection.  It is ideal for all skin types and suitable for sports-oriented adults and children for daily use on face, neck, hands and body.

4. For absolute protection use   or Cellex C's Sun Care SPF 30+ to add full-spectrum protection to your skin moisturizer or foundation by mixing equal parts, or use alone for an SPF of 30!

5. Now that you have some idea of what to use to protect your skin, don't forget your lips! Besides protecting the skin, lip balms can also prevent cold sores.  Try . This spf 15 protection in convenient stick form provides light tinted color, sunscreen and moisture shield for the lips.

6. If you still manage to get burned by the sun, or if your sun-drenched skin and/or hair  just needs a pick-me-up, try the entire Phyto-Phytoplage line for the hair, or  Cellex C's Sun Rescue Gel, or . These treatments help repair recent UV damage while instantly soothing overexposed skin. These treatments also help protect cell proteins and restore lost moisture while accelerating repair of UV-induced DNA damage. These treatments also reduce irritation, redness and pain induced by sunburn.