1. SPF Protection
Sun damages the skin. But there is the damage we see and feel (from UVB rays that cause sunburn) and the damage we cannot immediately see and feel (UVA rays that cause skin cancer, freckles and wrinkles).
A good skincare product should provide protection from both UVA and UVB rays - but the simple truth is that under Australian regulations - a SPF says more about UVB protection than UVA protection. Change is being discussed to include a rating system for both UVA and UVB but any change will take time.
Living in a country like Australia where being healthy is all about being outdoors it is hard to understand why more skincare products do not contain SPF protection let alone broadspectrum UVA and UVB coverage. At POD we include an SPF protection - against BOTH UVA and UVB rays - in our Liquid Canvas, Liquid Light, and Liquid Tan.
2. Anti-oxidants
An anti-oxidant does a different job to an SPF but is equally important. Whilst an SPF protects from damage an anti-oxidant helps repair damage. As no sunscreen completely protects the skin you need both as the sun activates the release of free radicals.
An anti-oxidant protects the barrier from destruction - if you like an anti-oxidant is similar to the skin's natural preservative - as it inhibits free-radical damage from the environment.
Anti-oxidants are a natural component of the skin. If we don't get enough antioxidant protection, either from our own body's production, from dietary sources, or from topical application, the skin will not heal.
At POD we actively include anti-oxidants in all our products including a comprehensive level in our POD Liquid Light. We also actively use Australian sourced anti-oxidants which are increasingly being shown to have some of the highest anti-oxidant levels in the world.
3. Moisturization
Moisturization is not so much about 'needing to put moisture back into the skin' but 'helping the skin retain moisture' so that the barrier of the skin remains intact and can do the job it is intended to do.
In science this is referred to as Trans Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL). TEWL is the skin signalling to itself how much moisture needs to be moved from the epidermis to the barrier of the skin. If you like it is the skin's dehumidifier.
Regardless of age or skin type or lifestyle every one needs ingredients that help the skin retain moisture to minimize TEWL. In fact once the skin is dry to the touch the damage is done.
Moisturization is therefore about ensuring your product has skin-identical ingredients which mimic the actual composition of the skin. POD is actively researching in this area and most of its products include Replic8 which is specifically aimed at the TEWL and keeping the barrier intact.
4. Exfoliation
Exfoliation is a natural process - in that the skin naturally sheds skin each day - and by turning over the skin remains not only smooth but more efficient at doing its job. However ageing, hormonal, dry or sun-damaged skin all results in the exfoliation process slowing down.
Without exfoliation the skin effectively cracks quicker and moisture escapes more quickly. A good analogy is if you were to paint a piece of cardboard with a thick layer of paint and another with a thin layer of paint and then moved the board which would crack first. The answer is the thick layer as it is not so robust. The same is true for skin as we move about during our day.
Whilst a beauty essential - exfoliation is often misunderstood. Somehow women feel they need to damage their skin - to rub it raw or peel it with chemicals - to ensure it is exfoliated. Yet that is no longer true - and the triple enzyme we use in Liquid Detox - could not be any more gentle or effective. You dont need to damage your skin to repair it.
Of course skin may need other support but regardless of your age, skin condition, or environment these are the 4 essentials which are universal needs of the skin.
