Standing in the bathroom, I moved closer to the mirror. “There,” I murmured, finding the dark spot near my right eye. “And there and there and there,” I continued, pointing to the pigmented markings that were dusted across my cheeks and nose. “Age spots,” I sighed in defeat.
Freckles. Age spots. Sun spots. Liver spots. No matter what you call them, they’re essentially the same thing: collections of pigment, also known as melanin, that often appear after exposure to ultra-violet light.
Sun damage.
Naively, I thought I was immune to the effects of the sun. Being of South Asian descent, I’ve always believed that I have a “built-in SPF”, allowing me to skip a daily application of sunscreen and occasionally, tan with reckless abandon.
Technically, I’m not completely incorrect; darker individuals have a higher natural SPF thanks to the increased amounts of melanin in our skin. However, no one’s natural SPF is enough to keep the effects of sun damage at bay, which includes, but is not limited to, skin cancer, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.
Back to those age spots.
You have to look closely, but you can see them. Scattered across my nose and cheeks; the darkly pigmented spots that seem to increase with gusto as I get closer to age 40. To me, they represent years of taking my skin for granted; a lax skin care routine coupled with sporadic sunscreen use.
And they represent my genetics, too. Although my darker complexion makes me prone to hyperpigmented age spots, there is one surefire way to slow the visible aging process: a recent breakthrough study by Olay, entitled “Multi-Decade and Ethnicity (MDE)”, revealed biological commonalities among a unique subset of women who look exceptionally younger than their age. The Coles Notes version? Women who avoided or protected themselves against the sun were more likely to be “exceptional skin agers” – women who look ageless despite never having a cosmetic procedure.
However, the study also found that across ages and ethnicities, the most significant contributor to the look of aging skin is sun damage. So, whether one boasts an olive skin tone or is as fair as porcelain, in the end, sun damage will be our undoing in different ways, at different points in our lives.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Let’s be completely honest; the majority of women I know associate sunscreen usage with a trip to the beach or a day spent outdoors. According to Olay Principal Scientist, Dr. Frauke Neuser, one of the most popular myths about sunscreen is the belief that it is only necessary during extended, direct sun exposure. However, incidental sun exposure, caused during driving a car, sitting by a window at work, etc., can cause UV damage which may lead to deep wrinkles. And on average, women are exposed to the sun 840 minutes a week, no matter the season.
Fact: At age 40, skin could look up to 20 years younger if sun protection was used every day.
Let’s be honest once again; it’s not always easy to change our daily habits. That’s why it’s important to find a reputable skin care product that fits our lifestyles while offering tangible rewards, such as moisturizing, anti-aging and sun protection benefits.
The new Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream with SPF 30 is an easy way to incorporate SPF into our everyday routine – all year round. It’s lightweight, fast-absorbing and non-greasy to instantly protect skin from UV rays, helping decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and boosting hydration and skin firmness.
Key ingredients include:
Vitamin B3: Helps maintain skin’s moisture barrier and increases natural exfoliation rates
Amino-Peptide: Helps decrease appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Olivem: Helps increase the penetration of anti-aging ingredients
Lys’lastine: Helps improve skin’s hydration and elasticity
Glycerin: Powerful humectants with moisturization properties
SPF 30: Provides UVA/UVB protection with Advanced SolaSheer Technology
Most importantly, the lightweight moisturizer immediately leaves skin hydrated while absorbing completely with no chalky residue. That makes Olay Regenerist’s new Micro-Sculpting Cream with SPF 30 perfect for use in the morning, under makeup. And, according to Dr. Frauke Neuser, if you don’t swim, bathe or sweat profusely after application, you’ll have a full 8 hours of protection throughout the day.
I can’t change the choices I made in the past. But I can take a look at that gorgeous face in the mirror and do what I can from this day forward to be an exceptional skin ager. I can choose to be ageless.
Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream with SPF 30 will be available nationwide where Olay products are sold beginning July 2016, for a suggested MSRP of $33.49-$38.99.
This post is sponsored by P&G. The opinions on this blog, as always, are my own.
Your selfie game is on pointe.
You look amazing!
Thank you Jaime! Alas, these weren’t selfies – my husband took the photos! But I will give the credit to Olay for helping me look amazing :)
Better to wear Olay than the welder’s mask you see some people wear during the summer
Sounds like a great product and it’s better to start now than later, I need to start something, I’m not getting any younger!!
That product sounds really good. I’m always looking for something lightweight and non-greasy that will help with aging and protect skin from the sun.
This sounds like a wonderful product,i have large age spots on my face and seem to be growing more daily.guess its all with the aging process…you of course look fab…
I knew wearing sunscreen was important, but didn’t know skin could look up to 20 years younger by age 40 just by using it. I am guilty of only wearing sun protector on the hottest days with high UV ratings so I really should start using this from Olay!
I got a sunburn at 7 yrs old that laid me up all summer, 2nd and 3rd degree burns. I have fair skin obviously! From that terrible summer I have been rigorous with application of sunscreen, wearing hats and clothing that is light but covers more skin. An ounce of prevention really does make a difference.
Oh no! That sounds so scary. However, happy to hear that you take sun protection seriously!
Sounds like a great product and I do have to admit that I have not been the best at looking after my skin, since I am now in my 40’s guess I should really start doing it.
you look SO amazing! I need to get the Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream. I need to start taking better care of my skin and sounds like a great product
it is all about taking care of your skin from here on out :)
At 65 it’s a bit late for me to start worrying about the condition of my skin, I should have done that years ago. The Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream does sound good and I like that the protection should last for 8 hrs, I’ve been reading where sunscreen has to be reapplied every 2 hrs and that is a bind if you have make-up on. :-)
Not wearing sunscreen everyday is the biggest regret for me! I cringe just thinking about all the years I’ve spent out in the sun without a bit of sunscreen on my face! I love Olay but I haven’t tried any of their daytime products. I’ll have to give them a try!
You look beautiful Lena!I do have some sun spots on my face and neck and I definitely need to try this Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream.
You look amazing! I believe sunscreen is the most important thing you can do for your skin. It’s never too late!
You have tried the Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream with SPF 30 but will you continue to use it and does it really work? Purchased so many things and nothing helps this old mug!
I’ve been using it every single day since, Doris! :)
I should probably take the same wise steps as you. I to believed I was immune being part French Native.
You are absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!
Thank you Anna :)
You always look so great!
Thanks so much for the introduction to this product i picked up some this morning @ Shoppers going to give it a try.
I am in the same boat and i appreciate the advice you’ve given Lena. Thanks for speaking to women everywhere, we’re not alone!
I’m in denial about my sun and age spots and but now’s as good as time as any to start protecting myself! Definitely worth a shot :) Thanks for sharing Lena!
Olay is great but whan you got it …. and you got it
I’m turning 53 in a few days and my skin is beginning to show its age. I was one of those silly girls who slathered herself in baby oil and lay outside for hours. Great info!
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. So true. I wish they had had the type of products that they have now when i was growing up.
Gravity has really hit me, perhaps I should sleep upside down.
You look amazing!!
I am 36yrs, mom to 4 teenagers & now a Grandmother, most people are surprised at my age but I can see clearly that I am getting older. I am so bad at putting on sunscreen and looking after my skin and now I am regretting not starting sooner because it is easier to prevent than to repair!
I love Olay products! You look fantastic!!
Every bit helps to keep us looking and feeling younger. It’s great that Olay made a cream with SPF 30.
guilty of not applying sunscreen more frequently. trying to change that habit
I have been using the Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream with SPF 30 for 3 weeks now and i really see a difference,tha nks for the introduction !
Always found OLAY products worth it
I hope all the ladies remember that it’s not just your face you should think of – your neck and chest show signs of age and sun damage too. Spread that cream lower :D
I’m always looking for something lightweight and non-greasy product to use on my dry skin and hopefully this will do the job.
You look great and so does your skin. I think it’s great that you like OLAY products