BY FIONA FOWLEY, DIRECTOR
It’s not breaking news, we all know the importance of sun protection. But, it’s important to remember we need to wear it daily – not just on holiday or basking in Edinburgh’s glorious sun.
When we’re walking to work, driving the car or doing the garden, our skin needs protection from the sun’s powerful UV rays – even when it’s cloudy – because the damage is real and premature ageing, pigmentation and age spots (as well as more serious health issues, of course) affect all ages, genders and skin types. In other words, wearing sunscreen every day is one of the best ways to minimise harmful sun damage and maintain younger-looking skin.
There are lots of foundations, CC and BB creams with sunscreen and they do offer bonus protection but, you shouldn’t ever rely on this SPF because it’s not enough on its own. You need to introduce a good quality sunscreen barrier and there’s a huge range on the market with improved technology and formulas that feel just as great as a light moisturiser. It is incredibly important to me that we stock the best selection at Zen – broad-spectrum protectors that minimise free radical and environmental damage. And formulas that never leave your skin feeling clammy and greasy.
One of my favourites is Heliocare Advanced SPF 50 Gel. It’s a super light, transparent formula that not only smells great but is water resistant and suitable for all skin types too. Wear this over your normal day cream and under foundation – or skip the foundation and enjoy the lovely glow it leaves on your skin.
Murad also has some great products like its City Skin Broad Spectrum SPF 50, a great multi-tasking product that comes with high sun factor and helps shield skin from blue light, pollution, and infrared radiation. The Murad Essential-C Day Moisture SPF 30 is a lveoly product for everyday use and one of our top sellers in the salon. The refreshing citrus formula makes skin look more radiant, youthful and supple whilst offering broad spectrum sun protection
Last but by no means least, Priori has a fantastic multi-layer sunscreen called Tetra fx250 SPF 45. The high-technology mineral formula protects you from free radicals and has an amazing colour-guide so that you can see exactly where you’ve applied it.
In short, protection is the answer if you want to avoid sun damage and it looks beautiful on everyone. So, once you’ve chosen your sunscreen and added it to your daily beauty regime, all that’s left for you to do is look out the shades (you need to protect those eyes too) and smile!
For guidance on the best products for individual skin, please pop into one of Zen Hanover Street or Bruntsfield Place for a free consultation.
Fiona Fowley is the beauty expert and entrepreneur behind the Zen Lifestyle salons. Originally a beauty therapist, Fiona realised there was a gap in the market to create a unique kind of customer experience in the UK beauty and spa industry. She created Zen Lifestyle to provide discerning clients with an exceptionally high standard of therapies in luxurious, beautifully designed surroundings. she has led the business to 18 national beauty awards, as well as being voted UK Salon of the Year 5 times.
