Suddenly, the sun rises above the building facades. The cool shadow that cast a moment of respite retracts. In an instant, the sunlight basks upon you, the warmth a welcoming embrace at first. But as the sun heats your skin further, you’re subtly nudged towards the thought of sun protection. A flicker of concern crosses your mind – sunscreen?
Sunscreen. The word conjures images of trusty bottles of lotion, the staple of sun safety, the first line of defence that often springs to mind. But what if sun protection looks different today?
While sunscreen is often associated with lotion-based products in everyday conversation, the understanding is evolving to reflect the growing landscape of sun-safe options now available on the market. Today’s savvy travellers are embracing a holistic approach to sun safety.
This guide unveils a whole new perspective and approach on sun protection, packed with innovative solutions that are convenient and lightweight for the globetrotter on the go. Dive into our list of Sun-Savvy Essentials – your secret weapons to maintaining your skin health on any sun-lit adventure, wherever they may take you.
Kinohimitsu UV-Bright Pro
The nascent realm of ingestible sunscreen is changing, and Kinohimitsu’s innovative UV-Bright Pro takes sun protection towards a pioneering direction by offering an edible (or rather, drinkable) approach alongside your existing lotions and sprays routine. This convenient, single-serve liquid sachet delivers a 2-in-1 boost, fortifying your skin’s natural UV defence all while promoting its skin whitening benefits thanks to it’s key ingredients consisting of Blackberry Extract and Glutathione.
Here’s what you need to know:
- A delicious formula derived from blackberry extract and glutathione, packed with a comprehensive range of antioxidants and vitamins that reduces free radical damage and inflammation, delivering that all essential 2-in-1 boost of UV defence and skin whitening.
- In vitro studies finds that blackberry extract exhibits sun protection benefits equalling to SPF 50 and over (54.57 to be exact).
- Packaged in single-serve, 25g liquid sachets that fit perfectly in any small bag or pocket for daily supplementation.
- Boasts a Low-Calorie, Low-Sugar and Zero-fat formula that supports your skin health without unnecessary dietary concerns.
Franz NAKED Sunshield Peptide Patch
Developed in South Korea, the country renowned for its cutting-edge skincare advancements, the NAKED Sunshield Peptide Patch adds a layer of physical barrier alongside traditional sun lotion. Unlike broad-spectrum sunblock, this Sunshield Patch offers a more focused approach, targeting to protect the more delicate areas of the face, in particular, the under-eye region.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Made with a translucent, near-invisible material, the patch blends seamlessly with any skin tone. However, it may have a slightly raised profile especially when viewed from up-close.
- Boasts a UPF 50+ rating that blocks over 98% of UVA and UVB rays in the covered areas.
- Infused with peptides and a blend of other ingredients that promote skin-rejuvenating benefits.
- Travel-friendly design, packed in individual, single-use packets.
Solbari UPF Clothing
Solbari is an Australian brand that focuses specifically on sun-protective clothing that seeks to balance between functionality, style, and travel-friendly features. Developed and tested under the harsh Australian sun, the brand offers a wide range of UPF 50+ protection apparels that prioritizes technical performance and aesthetics.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Garments that offer UPF 50+ protection that blocks over 98% UVA and UVB rays.
- Lightweight, quick-drying and wrinkle-resistant material that can be easily packed into compact pouches for easy storage.
- Boasts a wide range of sun-protective designs for men and women.
Tower 28 SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen Foundation
Applying sunscreen followed by foundation can feel time-consuming and tedious. Sunscreens can sometimes leave a greasy residue, making it difficult for foundation to apply smoothly. Enter Sunscreen Foundation, a game-changer for anyone who wants flawless coverage with built-in sun protection. This isn’t your average tinted foundation; SunnyDays offer light to medium buildable coverage, letting you achieve a natural, radiant look without the extra layers.
Here’s what you need to know:
- SPF 30 oil-free formula enriched with ingredients like Prickly Pear for a hydrating boost for the skin.
- Available in a range of colour shades for a seamless and natural colour-matching blend.
- Eliminates the need for separate sunscreen and foundation application.
Why Kinohimitsu UV-Bright Pro is our Top Pick
For the seasoned traveller, navigating airport security with a well-stocked toiletry bag can be a constant source of frustration. Bulky sunscreen bottles often exceed carry-on restrictions, forcing last-minute repacking or the dreaded (and expensive) purchase of travel-sized versions – which let’s face it, may very well not last an entire trip. The recommended dosage for topical sunscreen is around 2.5g for the face and 10g for the limbs, and with frequent reapplication throughout the day, a travel-sized bottle quickly dwindles.
Hence why we feel that Kinohimitsu UV-Bright Pro redefines convenience and portability. As the UV-Bright Pro comes individually packed in 25g liquid sachets, the design adheres to even the strictest of travel regulations (typically limiting liquids to 100ml per container). So packing 15 of these sachets – enough for a sun-drenched vacation – would not exceed any carry-on restrictions or the need for checked luggage. Furthermore, the compact size of each sachet can be easily carried into any travel bag for convenience access throughout the day. This translates to a streamlined travel experience, freeing you to focus on your adventures, not packing woes.
But of course, the UV-Bright Pro’s benefits extend far beyond mere convenience. It offers a unique, complementary approach to sun protection. While traditional sunscreen works by physically blocking UV rays on the surface of the skin, UV-Bright Pro provides a sort of “internal filtering” that neutralizes free radicals caused by UV rays that sneak through the outer barrier of sun lotion.
Here’s why the total ‘internal defence’ appeals to us most:
Most sun lotion, sprays and their alternatives function on a similar principle, in that it creates a physical barrier on your skin to block UV rays. But here’s the rub: achieving a flawless and complete coverage with external blocks is a great challenge. Unless you meticulously coat every inch of exposed skin (and let’s be honest, who has that kind of time or patience on a vacation?), you’re bound to miss some spots, especially those tricky areas like your back, neck and ears that often become targets for UV penetration.
When UV rays penetrate the skin, they activate melanin production, a body’s attempt to create a natural barrier to absorb these harmful rays in order to protect the deeper tissue layers. But melanin also plays a role in affecting our skin’s tone. The more melanin produce, the darker the skin tone. Realistically, even with the most diligent application, external sunscreens are bound to leave uneven protection, leading to frustrating consequences like patchy tans and uneven skin tone. In practice, achieving complete and total sun protection with external methods alone is near impossible.
Which is why the idea of ‘internal defence’ and ‘filtering’ is particularly reassuring. Ingestible supplements like Kinohimitsu UV-Bright Pro offer a delightfully simpler solution. It’s key ingredient, Blackberry extract, is rich in a range of antioxidants that nullify free radical damage, but more importantly, help regulate melanin production in the skin. With antioxidants reducing free radical damage to melanocytes, the body will not need to ramp up melanin production as a compensatory response to UV rays. This leads to a more even and bright skin tone by preventing hyperpigmentation.
The antioxidant profile of blackberries is particularly noteworthy for sun protection.
Here’s a closer look at the two key players:
- Ellagic acid: This ellagitannin exhibits anti-inflammatory and UV-protective properties. Studies suggest that this phenolic compound neutralizes free radicals generated by UV exposure, mitigating sun damage to the skin.
- Anthocyanin: This flavonoid has been well-documented for its UV-absorbing properties. Their chemical structure allows them to absorb specific wavelengths of light, including some in the ultraviolet (UV) range, particularly UVB rays (280-315 nm). This UV-absorbing capacity suggests anthocyanins contribute to sun protection by attenuating UVB-mediated damage in skin cells, further shielding the skin from sunburn and inflammation.
The combined presence of both compounds in blackberries highlight a powerful synergy for sun protection. Anthocyanins, with their UV-absorbing properties, offer a first line of defence by mitigating UVB rays before they even reach the skin cells. Ellagic acid, acts as a secondary (clean-up) defence mechanism that neutralizes any free radicals that escape the initial UV absorption. This synergy makes blackberry extract in itself a more comprehensive protective effect against sun damage already.
While ellagic acid and anthocyanins offer a potential two-pronged approach to sun protection, UV-Bright Pro goes beyond just shielding your skin from harmful UV rays. It also incorporates another powerful ingredient: Glutathione.
Glutathione functions as a master antioxidant, playing a crucial role of neutralizing free radicals as well, and detoxification by aiding the removal of toxins from the body. But what’s more interesting is that research suggests that glutathione helps regulate melanin production, leading to a brighter and more even skin tone.
The convenience of ingestible supplements is also delightfully appealing. In contrast to meticulous application and reapplication of physical blocks, a quick tear and drink of the UV-Bright Pro offers a streamlined, body-wide protection against the sun.
So with all that being said, think of the UV-Bright Pro as a double defence system working alongside your existing sun lotion. By incorporating 1 to 2 sachets daily on top of your regular SPF 30 lotion, you create a two-pronged approach to complete sun protection. With UV-Bright Pro being a powerful complement, there’s a reduced need for reapplying sun lotion as often. By continuously working from within to neutralize free radicals, UV-Bright Pro reduces the urgency for constant reapplication throughout the day. This means using less sun lotion overall during your trip, ensuring you have constant sunscreen in both forms available to you throughout your trip.
In essence, the UV-Bright Pro offers a comprehensive sun protection strategy that streamlines your packing, reduces sunblock reliance, and even promotes your overall skin health, ensuring you’re well-protected for your adventures under the sun.
CHECK THEM OUT
Kinohimitsu UV-Bright Pro and Kinohimitsu Collagen Beauty Pro is available at all leading pharmacies, or online at https://my.kinohimitsu.com/.
Use code PRO10 when you checkout online for RM10 off your purchase of any Kinohimitsu Pro series product! (Limited to one-time use, no minimum spend required).
