Soaking up the sun may give your skin a temporary glow, but over the years, that glow can change into wrinkles, dark spots and other signs of aging. To get a golden glow without the subsequent sun damage, celebrity skincare guru Ole Henriksen on "The View from the Bay" morning show suggests blending a moisturizer that contains an SPF of 15 or higher with tan mineral powder and applying the mixture to your face.
Sunscreen
Although many people still believe most skin damage occurs before you turn 18, a 2003 study published by American Society for Photobiology and led by U.S. Food and Drug Administration researcher Dianne E. Godar found that only about 23 percent of sun damage occurs before you turn 18--the rest of your skin's sun damage increases by about 10 percent every decade after you turn 18. That makes sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 or higher one of the best ways to help prevent sun damage on your face, says Henriksen. Henriksen points out that even if you plan to spend most of the day indoors, wearing sunscreen protects your skin when you're driving, riding or just standing by the window.
Retinol
If your face shows fine lines and discoloration from sun damage, using a product with retinol might help. You can find milder, over-the-counter formulations or ask your dermatologist for a prescription for a more powerful concentration of retinol. Retinol is a form of vitamin A that works like an antioxidant, slowing and sometimes stopping the breakdown of skin cells that can cause wrinkles and dark spots, according to the Mayo Clinic website, MayoClinic.com. Real Simple magazine's Beauty with Brains department recommends applying retinol every night to renew skin and reduce signs of sun damage.
Hydroquinone
If the sun damage on your face shows up mostly as dark spots on your skin, San Francisco-based dermatologist Kathy Fields recommends treating the problem areas with prescription-strength hydroquinone. Fields tells Real Simple magazine that hydroquinone can deliver significant spot-fading results, but because its effects can be intense, it should be used only with a doctor's supervision and reevaluated every six months.
