[Editor's Picks] Photoaging Philosophy: Protect + Repair

Photoaging Philosophy: Protection + Repair

I've mentioned previously my passion for sun protection and products that will convince even the most stubborn patients to use sun protection throughout their day. With my pale skin, I’ve always had plenty of motivation to wear sunscreen no matter the weather or venue, but I admit that I am one of those pickier patients in this regard. While protection is key, skin care is seeking to tackle photoaging from all angles in 2024, aiming to not only protect skin against sun damage but repair it at the same time. Sun protection skin care is being elevated to new heights, with new formulations and synergistic product pairings utilizing mineral actives that not only protect against UVA/UVB rays as well as HEV (blue light), but antioxidants and ingredients like bakuchiol to protect skin against the damaging effects of free radicals and repair signs of photoaging. Here are some exciting sun protection and repair products to supercharge your patients’ fight against photoaging.

Clinical Resolution Lab's Post-Care Kit is a powerful combination for photoaging protection and repair. The Liposomal Hyaluronic Peptide Serum provides advanced nourishment to protect and hydrate the skin while offering soothing antioxidants, including MAP (Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate), a potent antioxidant used for UV protection and repair, collagen production, skin lightening and brightening and as an anti-inflammatory - to balance redness, irritation and sensitivity. The Sun Protective Cream is a sunscreen formulated with an advanced silicone elastomer to repair damaged DNA and provide anti-aging benefits. The StemPep Moisturizer combines patented stem cell technology and innovative active ingredients for powerful anti-aging, wound healing and skin brightening benefits. Iron oxide works with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to boost SPF and shield skin against visible light rays, and Myristoyl Hexapeptide-5 repairs sun-damaged DNA cells while helping produce collagen and elastin. 

EltaMD UV AOX Elements Broad-Spectrum SPF 50 is a facial sunscreen with antioxidants to help combat and restore signs of premature aging. It is formulated with 13.5% zinc oxide and 4.4% titanium dioxide, 100% mineral actives that reflect and scatter UVA and UVB rays, and iron oxide, which creates blendable tint that helps blur imperfections and block 56% of HEV (blue light). Vitamin C & E help neutralize free radical damage to combat and restore signs of photoaging, such as fine lines and wrinkles, hyaluronic acid increases hydration and moisture retention and bisabolol and ginger root calm skin and visibly reduce redness. This powerful formulation is proven to reduce detrimental effects of multi-environmental aggressors (i.e., UV, Ozone and PM) by 96%, making it one of my go-to products. 

Photo courtesty of TiZO

TiZO's Advanced Vitamin C + E Serum and Mineral Sun Defense make for a powerful sun damage duo. The Advanced Vitamin C + E Serum helps firm skin and visibly reduce the signs of premature aging such as fine lines, wrinkles and uneven skin tone. The triple antioxidant formula (vitamin C/18% THD ascorbate, vitamin E and ferulic acid) works synergistically to reduce the damaging effects of reactive oxygen species and limit signs of UV damage by neutralizing free radicals, while Bakuchiol helps diminish signs of agingPhoto courtesy of TiZO such as fine lines, wrinkles, skin laxity and overall photodamage. TiZO Mineral Sun Defense is a gentle, tinted mineral sunscreen designed to help shield the skin every day from the damaging effects of the sun. Titanium and zinc oxides reflect away UVA and UVB rays, while antioxidants help defend the skin against free radicals. Together, this duo provides one powerful punch to fight back against photoaging.