Sunny Side Up! (Win! A SkinCeuticals Prize Pack!)

We all know that SPF should be part of our daily rotation year ’round, but the blistering temps and brighter days of spring and summer are most certainly a good way to keep it top of mind. We chatted with Chloe Smith, national education lead at SkinCeuticals Canada and self-proclaimed SPF/sun hat combo aficionado, about all things sun protection, and found out more about SkinCeuticals’ SPF 50 offerings (and why you’ll never catch her in a tank top!). —Vita Daily

Hi Chloe! Tell us a bit about yourself to start, especially what makes you a "skincare wiz"?!

Thank you for calling me a skincare wiz! It’s a personal obsession I have had with skin care since a very young age. I was reading dermatology books at age 13, and decided to make it my life’s mission to educate on proper product formulation, uncover the truth behind misleading marketing claims on skincare products and teach people how to take care of their skin. I am a trained esthetician, and have worked in the skin-care industry for the past seven years. I speak to dermatologists daily about skin health, and have learned a lot from our amazing Canadian dermatology community! I’m also an advocate for sunscreen awareness and skin cancer prevention.

Why is now a good time to give Canadians a reminder about SPF?

We are starting to enter our summer months in Canada, which means our "burning" rays (UVB) from the sun are at their strongest intensity. Consistent, unprotected exposure to the sun, especially during summer, puts Canadians at risk for skin cancer. Not only does unprotected exposure heighten the risk for skin cancer, it also leads to signs of early aging like pigmentation, fine lines, and textural changes.

What are some unique/your favourite aspects of SkinCeuticals’ SPF 50 offerings, post-sun care and antioxidants?

My favourite quality about SkinCeuticals sunscreens are the texture and tint. The texture is light-weight, non-greasy, and absorbs rapidly. Our Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 has a universal tint. The tint makes this sunscreens very popular because the tint is not a warm coloured tint (orange undertones), which most tinted formulas are! Our tint is a beige-grey undertone, which complements all skin tones without pulling cool or warm. This leaves behind a natural, even colour. Most people omit foundation when using our sunscreens! As well, SkinCeuticals sunscreens are formulated with 100 per cent mineral sun filters, which means they are safe for very sensitive skin. SkinCeuticals antioxidants uniquely offer the skin photoprotection differently than SPF. Antioxidants work by supressing the formation of sunburn cells. Our number 1 antioxidant, C E Ferulic, has been proven to provide the skin with eight-times greater photoprotection vs. unprotected skin. Did you know you cannot wash out antioxidants? Once they are absorbed, they can remain in the skin for four-plus days. This helps your sunscreen to work more effectively! In terms of post-care, we are obsessed with Phyto Corrective Masque. This product contains a blend of botanical extracts (cucumber, thyme, and olive leaf) that help calm redness and cool the skin by up to 5 degrees Fahrenheit. A generous application can help reduce sunburn intensity overnight!

What are your top SPF (product and application) tips for spring/summer?

Think about SPF as a high-quality makeup primer! It is your last (and most important!) step before makeup application. When applying sunscreen, be generous. The size of a quarter for the entire face is the right amount to apply, and your skin will thank you for it long term! When applying mineral sunscreens, you can press it into the skin (rather than rubbing) for the best cosmetic finish.

Personal question: what does your personal heading-out-on-a-sunny-summer-day SPF prep routine look like?

I make sure to prepare my skin starting with a SkinCeuticals antioxidant like C E Ferulic. These antioxidants provide photoprotection from the sun, and boost the efficacy of sunscreen for more robust protection. After antioxidant application, I apply my favourite moisturizer: Hydrating B5 Gel. This product is excellent for sensitive, oily skins like myself because it is a water-based hyaluronic acid serum that is lightweight and oil-free. Next is a generous sunscreen application using Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 over my entire face, including the neck and chest area. I never forget polarized sunglasses and a broad-rimmed hat for extra protection. You’ll never see me in a tank top: shoulders are so prone to burning! I’ve recently gotten onto the UV clothing trend with companies like Mott 50 that manufacture long-sleeve bathing suits and active wear with a built-in SPF of 50+! They have really cute bathing suits even Chrissy Teigen and her daughter wear!

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Win! A SkinCeuticals Prize Pack!

We have a winner! Congratulations Amanda R. of Richmond, B.C., who won a SkinCeuticals prize pack including a Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 and a Phyto Corrective Masque!