Soaking Up The Sun Now Has Anti-Aging Benefits

Now that weather is warming up, layers are coming off and we need to be mindful of protecting our skin from the sun—and who better to help us do this than Shiseido? The brand has more than 100 years of history in sun-care research and is world-renowned for its sunscreen formulas. Plus, Shiseido’s new Urban Environment Oil-Free SPF 42 sunscreen formulation is disrupting the skincare discourse that we must avoid the sun to preserve our skin’s health. This product takes inspiration from the process of photosynthesis with Sun Dual Care—a new advancement that protects the skin from harmful UVA/B rays while converting sunlight into “beauty beams,” which target wrinkle factors. Pretty groundbreaking, right? We chatted with the brand’s local education manager, Kim Bubenko, to learn more. —Noa Nichol

Hi Kim! Please tell us a bit about yourself to start.

I’m a Brand Education Specialist at Shiseido Canada. I’ve been working in beauty and skincare for over 10 years, so I’ve seen a lot of skincare trends come and go. The one constant over the past decade has been the importance of suncare in my skincare routine. I live in Montreal where the winters are harsh and cold and the summers are hot and humid, so finding sunscreen that protects my skin throughout the changing seasons has always been a top priority. Shiseido’s Urban Environment line is a go-to because it’s designed with city air conditions in mind!

Shiseido’s new Urban Environment Oil-Free SPF 42 sunscreen formulation comes with a rather provocative message: that it’s not necessary to avoid the sun to preserve our skin’s health. Can you explain?

Absolutely! When developing this formula, Shiseido’s team of researchers sought to create a product that would promote coexistence between us and the environment. This is what inspired the creation of Sun Dual Care. Following conventional skincare wisdom, sun exposure is the number one factor that contributes to accelerated visible aging of the skin. The idea behind Sun Dual Care is to create a symbiotic relationship between the sun and our skin. It does this by harnessing the sun’s light and converting it into “beauty beams”. Shiseido’s Urban Environment Sunscreen uses the sun’s power to improve visible signs of aging, spending time in the sun can now provide anti-aging benefits!

We’d love it if you could help us dig deeper into the nitty-gritty behind the groundbreaking Sun Dual Care tech in this sunscreen?

Shiseido’s research team draws inspiration from nature in our product development. Plants are highly efficient in their ability to photosynthesize the sun’s light to create energy, and our research team was drawn to Spirulina algae because of its ability to survive in harsh environments with intense UV exposure. The reason Spirulina is able to thrive in these conditions is because of a special antennae called the phycobilisome which collects sunlight for photosynthesis. Thanks to the infusion of phycocyanin from Spirulina and fluorescent zinc oxide in this formula, Sun Dual Care can convert a portion of sunlight into visible light—much like the process of photosynthesis. Shiseido’s research found that this type of visible light reduces excessive inflammatory factors (also known as the aging factor) which UV exposure is responsible for. Because of this conversion of light, harmful UV rays are transformed to provide skincare benefits that lead to more vibrant skin!

When will the cream version be launched, and will it differ in any way?

The cream formulation will be launching in June. This formula has the same great benefits as the oil-free sunscreen, but was designed with drier skin types in mind. Both formulas contain mangosteen extract and hyaluronic acid to reduce fine lines and improve skin’s moisture. The Urban Environment Fresh-Moisture Sunscreen is a richer cream texture that provides lasting hydration for those looking for sun protection with a boost of moisture.

What’s your personal pre, during and post sun routine heading into spring/summer 2022?

Before leaving the house, sunscreen is a must at the end of my morning skincare routine. This is important year-round, but especially during the warmer months when we’re getting outside more. When I’m out and about I always have one of Shiseido’s sunscreens in my bag to reapply every two hours. It may seem like a lot but reapplying throughout the day is essential to avoid sun damage. What I love about Shiseido is the variety of formulas created for every occasion—even over makeup. They never leave you looking greasy which is a major plus. Post sun exposure, when I’ve spent a little too much time in the sun. my top concern is soothing my skin and adding back the moisture I’ve lost. Shiseido’s After Sun Intensive Recovery Emulsion leaves my skin feeling soothed and cool while also providing moisture to prevent uncomfortable peeling. Even though I am committed  to my sunscreen application, I can’t say I haven’t suffered a bad sunburn before and this product has really come in handy. Once your skin is sun-damaged there’s no going back, so it’s always best to be extra diligent with your sunscreen routine!

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