There are two annoying things about sun damage. One is that some of it can turn up years after the sun exposure. The other is that your skin has an excellent memory. But decades of independent research show that certain ingredients can help improve some of the visible effects of photoaging, including uneven pigmentation, fine lines, roughness and loss of elasticity.
Here are the ones worth knowing about.
1. For uneven skin tone: Vitamin C
UV exposure generates reactive oxygen species in the skin, contributing to oxidative stress and processes involved in photoaging. Topical Vitamin C is an antioxidant, and research suggests it can help protect against oxidative damage while supporting collagen synthesis and helping improve the appearance of hyperpigmentation.
In other words, it can't delete the afternoon you spent sunbathing without SPF, but it can help with some of the visible evidence.
For your face:
Superdose Rapid Action Power Brightener, a high-dose, next-generation stable vitamin C, sandwiched with super-actives Ferulic Acid and Tranexamic Acid for powerhouse brightening action on dull, uneven, scarred, or UV-damaged skin.
For your body:
Superdose Vitamin C Bio-Vitamin Body Lotion 96% of testers said their skin appeared brighter in 2 weeks.
2. For wrinkles + photoaged skin: Retinoids
If one ingredient has earned the right to be smug about its research record, it's the Vitamin A family.
Topical Retinoids are among the best-studied ingredients for photoaged skin, and research has shown that certain Retinoids can stimulate collagen-related processes, improve epidermal structure and, over time, reduce the appearance of fine wrinkles and uneven pigmentation caused by chronic sun exposure.
Consistency matters here: start with a low dose, 2-3 times a week and build up from there.
For your face:
Super Retinal Rejuvenating Serum, with an exceptional ‘one-step’ Retinoid, encapsulated for gentleness.
For your body:
Youthbomb Hand & Body 360 Repair Concentrate, with 2% Granactive Retinoid (Vitamin A) to refine skin texture and 6.7% Glycolic Acid (an AHA) to exfoliate.
3. For visible loss of firmness: Peptides
Not all Peptides work in the same way, and you need to select products formulated with the right Peptides that will work on skin’s extracellular matrix, helping to reverse visible signs of sagging and crepiness.
For your face:
Flash Face Lift Intense, which has a signalling peptide (Matrixyl Synthe'6) formulated to support components of the skin's extracellular matrix.
For your body:
Uber Youth Neck & Chest Super Lift Serum-Spray, with With Idealift, a Super-Peptide, to prevent the visible effects of skin sagging.
4. To tackle dry, dehydrated skin: smart moisture
Chronic UV exposure can affect the skin barrier and contribute to roughness and dryness. A well-formulated moisturizer can increase hydration, support barrier function and temporarily plump the skin, making dryness-related fine lines and rough texture look softer and smoother.
For your face:
Shinkai Electrolyte Drench, with a Deep Sea Mineral Infusion alongside a firming Tripeptide Complex and a Supergreens blend that helps skin restore its own Hyaluronic Acid.
For your body:
Super Healthy Skin Deluxe Body Moisture Crème, which suspends invisible micro-droplets of oil in water, for superlight yet intense skin nourishing.
And of course: SPF
And there is one decidedly unexciting ingredient that remains fundamental to the whole ‘sun damage softening’ enterprise: sunscreen. Because treating visible photoaging without protecting skin from further UV exposure is a bit like repainting the front door while someone is still attacking it with a pressure washer. So use the Vitamin C. Embrace the retinoid. Moisturize generously. Investigate the Peptides.
