Beauty tips for sun damaged skin

The sun is a wondrous thing. It brightens our day and gives us that sun-kissed glow but it can also do a nasty number on our skin and cause some serious damage if we're not careful. And let's face it, we've all suffered a sunburn or two.

While we're not about to tell you how to live (although, we do have some pretty awesome ideas), we are going to share some super simple skincare secrets and beauty tips to help repair sun damaged skin and maintain a natural, healthy radiance. 

Play it cool

The obvious ways to reduce the harmful effects of the sun and to minimize skin damage include rocking a wide-brimmed hat that shades the face and neck, sporting polarized sunglasses with full UV protection, and wearing plenty of cruelty-free reef-friendly sunblock free from preservatives, PABAs, parabens, oxybenzone and octinoxate.

If we're being brutally honest, the best way to prevent sun damage to your skin is to keep out of the sun altogether. Ok, so that has a solid 0% chance of happening if you're like us and spend most of your time on the beach. So, what's the next best thing that a beach baby can do? Take care of your skin the best way you can, that's what.

Meet your new skincare coach

A good skincare routine is more than habit. It's a life choice and one that your face (and your skin doctor) will thank you for. It typically starts and ends with good nutrition, a balanced lifestyle and saintly levels of hydration but it's the face-love that you give yourself in between that's really got us buzzing. Why? Because we recently had the opportunity to experience just how simple and grounding a good skincare ritual can be thanks to a 7-step facial tutorial with beauty expert Holly Harding, surfer, beach babe and founder of O'o Hawaii skincare.

A bombshell from the start, Florida-girl Holly now rocks it on the North Shore of Oahu. “Living an active, ocean lifestyle here in Hawaii, my skin can get pretty weathered,” explains Holly. “I created many of our products to help my own skin repair from life in the sun”. When you see Holly’s dazzling beach babe glow, with not a line or wrinkle in sight, now you’ll understand why.

Take care of the skin that you’re in

Holly’s quest for healthy skin doesn’t stop there. Not only has she created a stunning organic skincare line to combat the harsh effects of the sea and sun, she’s also a holistic health and nutrition coach and food for beauty expert, having studied with the world’s top holistic health and wellness experts. “The combination of diet, supplementation and highly functional skincare is the key to beautiful, glowing, ageless skin,” says Holly. “Taking care of yourself inside and out, will ensure that your skin is working at its absolute best”.

And this is where it becomes clear (crystal clear). O’o Hawaii products are bursting with superfood-level antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and you’ve guessed it, crystals. “Crystals have a natural ability to power and support energy fields. The electromagnetic energy from a crystal can transmit to balance, heal and energize the skin as well as promote healing of the mind and body”, Holly explains.

The ultimate treatment for after-sun skincare

A gold-medalist in clean skin repair facials, O’o Hawaii Superfood Crystal Facial puts collagen production into overdrive. By using clinical grade phytonutrient and crystal formulas with small molecule technology, these products can deeply penetrate the skin and rapidly reverse the effects of sun damage.

We sat down with Holly to experience firsthand the smoothing effects of this highly acclaimed facial and learn how she keeps her skin looking it’s best during the harsh heat of summer. Here’s what she recommends: 

Step 1: Start with a gentle, hydrating cleanser like our O’o Hawaii Birdbath Antioxidant Cleansing Balm. “This high performance, ultra hydrating and anti-aging cleansing balm concentrate cleanses gently yet deeply, removing impurities and makeup all while toning, moisturizing, soothing and working to destroy free radicals,” says Holly. “Use this step in the process to give yourself a relaxing face massage which will help to stimulate lymph drainage and remove toxins”.

Why we love this product: A little goes a long way! One jar will last up to 2 months of daily use.

Step 2: Detoxifying Face Scrub. “We use this to invigorate, detoxify, exfoliate and prepare the skin. This is an important step in stimulating collagen production and blood flow and results in a youthful, feather soft complexion,” Holly says.

Why we love this product: Say bye-bye to fine lines and wrinkles and hello to improved elasticity.

Step 3: Time to soak in some luxury. Dubbed the ‘turn back the clock’ wonder mask, the O’o Hawaii Hydrating + Firming Mask contains the oil of over 600 roses. Holly says use this in a steamy shower for maximum hydration. 

Why we love this product: This crystal infused anti-aging mask softens, firms and brightens the complexion for healthier looking skin. 

Step 4: Golden Nectar Brightening + Firming Ferulic Serum, otherwise known as the good stuff. “Vitamin C, Ferulic Acid, Sea Kelp and Hawaiian Red Algae help to combat the damaging effects of the sun and reduce the appearance of sun spots,” Holly explains. This miracle serum has anti-inflammatory properties and protects against UV stress. It even works as a spot treatment for acne! 

Why we love this product: You can feel it working and one pump is all you need.

Step 5: Brilliant Feather Beauty Balm is a highly rejuvenating miracle salve perfect for treating sun damaged skin. “It can be worn overnight or during the day,” says Holly. Deeply hydrating, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging, this concentrated wonder balm has an almost instant plumping and smoothing effect.

Holly recommends using this alongside their rose quartz gua sha beauty tool for a boosted restorative effect. “By gently massaging the face and neck, you increase lymphatic drainage release fascia and break down adhesions in muscles, particularly the jaw line. The overall effect is boosted circulation and natural detoxification”.

Why we love this product: Sunburn relief! A must have from the O’o Hawaii skincare collection. If you only have room for one beauty product in your life, this is it. 

Step 6: Birdsong Eye Remedy is a light-weight, nutrient-dense finishing polish full of micro-algae extracts and rose quartz crystal that is rapidly absorbed into the skin, providing deep cellular repair and natural low-level sun protection. Holly’s suggests dotting to the eye lid and surrounding areas and gently massaging up to 30 seconds to stimulate blood flow.

Why we love this product: The eye area gets its very own dose of peptides, probiotics and a caffeine shot to boost cellular energy.

Step 7: The final stage in the ultimate sun repair facial, Soar Anti-Aging Moisturizer + Finishing Polish. Silky rich in texture, this luxurious finishing polish reduces fine lines, wrinkles and redness and simultaneously works to lock in all the phytonutrients, vitamins, antioxidants and enzymes from steps 1-6 above. The clue is in the name, this age-fighting power pot includes fermented sea silt to boost natural low-level sun protection. 

Why we love this product: After a full day in the sun, this moisturizer gave our skin the hydration it needed.

To watch our live facial with Holly Harding and see these goodies in action, click here to watch on IGTV.

Clean skin care with supercharged results

The O’o Hawaii Superfood Crystal Facial is nothing short of brilliant. Results were instant (see for yourself in our IGTV facial) and we were blown away by it’s ability to restore circulation, hydration and combat the damaging effects of, let’s face it, long-term UV exposure. 

For your bespoke sun repair routine and to purchase O'o Hawaii skincare, visit No.11 Spa. The staff are incredible friendly and knowledgable and will happily tailor a beauty program specifically to your skincare needs.

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