A natural suntan might seem free as all you have to do is step into the sun, but the real cost can be high. Sun damage doesn’t wait for old age to appear; it can start in as little as 15 minutes without protection, even on cloudy days or through windows. Over time, the effects accumulate and the hidden price steep.
Sun-kissed or sun-cursed?
Yet there is something universally luring about a bronzed complexion. Whether it’s the ‘just got back from holiday’ look or the effortless golden glow from a day at the seaside, a natural tan is often considered the pinnacle of summer beauty. But beneath the surface of that glow lies a harsher truth and one that most people don’t consider until the damage is done – think premature ageing, cellular damage, and long-term health risks.
What happens when you tan?
When your skin is exposed to the sun and specifically ultraviolet radiation it triggers a defence response to protect itself from further harm by activating melanocytes which are cells that produce melanin – your skin’s natural pigment. Melanin acts like a built in sunscreen absorbing and scattering UV rays. The more melanin your skin produces the darker it appears (aka your tan), but a tan is actually a sign of damage and that tan is literally your skin in panic mode. You might not notice the effects overnight, but the damage is cumulative.
The destruction to your skin
While your skin has impressive built-in defences, they are not fool proof and repeated sun exposure over time overpowers those systems leading to many visible signs of sun-induced damage:
- Fine lines and wrinkles due to the breakdown of collage and elastin
- Dark spots and uneven skin tone from over production of melanin
- Dry, leathery texture from the loss of natural oils and moisturising actives
- Loss of elasticity due to damaged elastin which keeps skin bouncy.
- Risk of skin cancer
You might not notice the effects overnight, but the damage builds up and that tan from your twenties could be fuelling the age spots in your thirties or the loss of elasticity in your forties.
Is It Possible to Reverse Sun Damage?
The good news is, you’re not without options. While you may not be able to undo all the effects, you can significantly improve your skin’s appearance and help prevent further damage. Here’s how:
Use Sunscreen. Every. Single. Day.
Broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher is your first line of defence. Apply it every morning even if you’re indoors.
Exfoliate gently with fruit acids.
Removing dead skin cells regularly helps renew your skin’s surface and allows other treatments to work better. Fruit Acids also known as AHA’s are more preferable for sun damaged skin because they target multiple signs of damage especially texture, tone, and pigmentation gently yet effectively. They dissolve dead skin cells that build up from sun exposure revealing a fresh, healthier looking skin whilst reducing melanin build up that causes uneven skin tone.
Introduce Vitamin C into your daily routine.
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that neutralises free radicals generated by the sun which can accelerate the ageing process. Think of Vitamin C as your skin’s internal fire extinguisher for sun-induced stress. This powerful vitamin also inhibits tyrosinase, the enzyme in the skin needed to produce melanin and helps fade sunspots and uneven skin tone. Sun damage breaks down collagen leading to wrinkles and sagging and Vitamin C helps stimulate new collagen improving skin’s firmness and elasticity over time.
Repair While You Sleep
While you sleep your body accelerates skin repair and regeneration Specific night serums and creams with ingredients like peptides, marine actives and antioxidants encourage this repair process and repair skin damage while you rest without disruption.
Gatineau’s standout formulas for sun-damaged skin
After long summer days or years of collective sun exposure skin can be left looking uneven, dull, dehydrated and prematurely aged. Enter Gatineau, the Parisian skincare brand renowned for combining cutting edge science with luxurious formulas that deliver visible results. These targeted treatments are designed to revive sun stressed skin and restore its youthful glow.
Radiance Enhancing Gommage
This luxurious, balm-textured exfoliator gently ‘erases’ dead skin without granules, making it ideal for all skin types. Powered by AHAs including glycolic and malic acid, it smooths texture, boosts collagen, fades pigmentation, and deeply hydrates. Vitamin C adds a brightening boost while protecting against pollution. The result? Softer, glowier, glass-like skin in just one step.
Radiance Enhancing Vitamin C Serum
Think of this serum as a daily dose of sunshine for your skin. Packed with a gold-standard form of Vitamin C, it brightens, hydrates, and smooths while protecting against daily stressors. This carefully crafted formula is boosted with Watercress Extract rich in collagen-boosting nutrients to firm and energise tired skin, plus Gingko Biloba to help restore bounce and glow by targeting signs of ageing at the source. The result? A radiant, healthier-looking complexion that feels as good as it looks.
Age Benefit Hyperpigmentation Repair Serum
This powerhouse serum targets dark spots with a blend of Liquorice Root, Marshmallow Root, and Rice Bran, natural brighteners that help fade pigmentation by inhibiting melanin production. Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) and Vitamin C team up to even skin tone, smooth texture, and boost radiance, while PhytoSpherix (plant-based glycogen) energises skin cells, hydrates deeply, and smooths fine lines. Tetrapeptide-2 mimics the skin’s youth hormone to boost collagen, firmness, and elasticity AND it hydrates and fights pigmentation. Brighter, smoother, more youthful skin? Yes, please.
Age Benefit Night Renewal Elixir
This isn’t just a serum it’s your skin’s overnight revival ritual. As we sleep, our skin enters repair mode. But with age, stress, and especially during hormonal shifts like menopause, the signals that tell skin to heal and regenerate start to fade. That’s where this ultra-concentrated night serum steps in like a reset button for tired, mature skin. At the heart of the formula is Cellynkage™, a remarkable marine ingredient discovered in extreme saline environments. It works deep within the skin to reconnect the broken lines of communication between cells, reigniting their natural ability to renew, firm, and glow just like they used to. Then comes Hibiscus, known as the botox plant,’ rich in plant cells that stimulate collagen and elastin production. With every use, it helps restore skin’s bounce and elasticity, supporting the very structure that holds your youthful look in place. To protect against modern skin stressors, Artichoke leaf extract steps in and then the real magic happens with the blend of Japanese Sophora flower and Kiwi extract, targeting stubborn age spots and uneven tone at the root. Together, they gently brighten and resurface the skin, revealing a more even, radiant complexion. Every drop of this serum is like a restorative ritual, working in harmony with your body’s natural rhythms. You’ll wake to skin that looks renewed, feels resilient, and glows with confidence.
Tan Accelerating Lotion
This is your ultimate pre-sun essential face and body lotion. This silky, fast-absorbing formula prepares skin for sun exposure by boosting melanin production for a faster, longer-lasting tan while keeping skin hydrated, soothed, and protected. Packed with nourishing ingredients, it strengthens skin’s natural defences, helping to prevent dryness and irritation during and after sun exposure. Perfect for use before, during, and after sun for a radiant, even glow.
Sun damage may leave its mark, but your skin is not beyond repair and Gatineau’s advanced skincare formulas offer more than just surface level solutions so instead of covering up all the signs treat your skin with intention and support it every step of the way.
Lucy x