
So, it has been over a week since I have been in paradise and my toasted skin is clear enough proof that I have been spending my days outside in the sun. Temperatures in Mauritius during the summer can reach up to a blistering 35 degrees or higher. With its rays and abundance of heat, the sun has been good to me in providing excellent weather.
Since arriving, my skin has been under control and has been behaving. So much so that I am wondering that if as soon as I leave this climate my skin might suffer due to the differences in weather. Anyway, I'll deal with that when I get back.
Being in the sun all the time got me thinking about the impact it has. Growing up with problematic skin, spending a little bit of time in the sun I always thought helped my skin. Even to this day, if I get a zit and get a lil handsy with it and end up popping it, I like the feeling of sitting in the sun having it dry out a bit. I obviously don't go crazing tanning because I already have a darker complexion, but it made me curious to know if the sun can be somewhat good for your skin.
I know the obvious dangers of the sun to your skin without proper protection; melanoma that could lead to skin cancer, leather looking skin, etc. But surely there could be some good that comes with sun exposure right..
...I was wrong. Very, very wrong.
On the whole, getting some (emphasis on "some" here) vitamin D can always help improve your skin, and mood for that matter. Season affective disorder is a very real thing. But relying on the sun as a consistent skincare treatment can actually worsen the effects of acne.
What I thought was the sun helping my skin, is actually just me seeing the sun darken the skin around my pimples, making them look less obvious. While the sun does in fact dry out the skin (which can be great if you have a helluva lot sebum production like me) in the long run it can actually make your acne worse.
The sun's UV rays damage the skin, weakening the barrier and causes it to lose its moisture. Yes, it will dry up your skin but your skin will think its odd and will try and fix itself by producing even more oil. Isn't the human body amazing?! Anyway, all these increased oils could result in more breakouts. The sun can also make your existing scars darker, causing hyper-pigmentation.
Also, if you are using acne products and creams that have benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, it can make your skin more sensitive to the sun and more prone to the damage the UV rays can cause.
So there you have it folks, a couple of really interesting facts I discovered while learning more about the suns rays. As much as a sun baby I know I am at heart, it's still super important to make sure your skincare regime has some major SPF in it. Your skin will thank you now and forever!!
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