Facial Sunscreen Reviews, Part 2

Murad Essential-C Day Moisture spf 30
Pros: easy to apply, pleasant light scent, minimal sunscreen odor, contains antioxidants & anti-aging ingredients
Cons: price!, never felt like it completely absorbed, made my face feel very oily within a very short period of time
Repurchase? No
Price: $60 for 1.7 oz. (yikes!!)
Ingredients: Ensulizole 2.0%, Octinoxate 7.5%, Octocrylene 6.0%, Titanium Dioxide 3.0%, Water (Aqua), Butylene Glycol, Stearic Acid, Cocoglycerides, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Glyceryl Stearate, Lauryl Lactate, PEG-100 Stearate, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Dimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Pelvetia Canaliculata Extract, Ectoin, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Passiflora Incarnata Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Sodium PCA, Panthenol, Tripleurospermum Maritima Extract, Sodium Myristoyl Sarcosinate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phospholipids, Retinyl Palmitate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Chitosan Ascorbate, Betaine, Sorbitol, Glycine, Alanine, Proline, Serine, Threonine, Arginine, Lysine, Glutamic Acid, Zinc Gluconate, Ethyl Linoleate, Cetyl Phosphate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Eugenol, Limonene, Linalool, Fragrance (Parfum), Yellow 6 (CI 15985), Red 33 (CI 17200).
Note: I have tried this product in the past and note that after a couple of months, the product smelled "off". I don't know what the shelf-life is, but the cost is pretty high to have the product smell bad after a couple of months. I stored the product away from heat & light, so that wasn't an issue.

Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion, spf 60

Pros: watery consistency (some may find that a "con"), easy to apply, absorbs quickly & completely, leaves face feeling & looking matte, price isn't prohibitive, very faint floral scent that is pleasant & dissipates quickly, absolutely no oiliness - even after several hours & exercising, contains antioxidants
Cons: I honestly can't think of any
Repurchase? Yes
Price: $39 for 3.3 oz.
Ingredients: Water, Cyclomethicone, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Polybutylene Glycol/PPG-9/1 Copolymer, Dimethicone Copolyol, Dextrin Palmitate, Xylitol, Methyl Gluceth-10, Glutathione, Zinc Myristate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Thiotaurine, Scutellaria Baicalensis Extract, Ectoin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Aluminum Hydroxide, Isostearic Acid, Stearic Acid Disteardimonium Hectorite, Silica, Alcohol, Trisodium EDTA, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Fragrance, Titanium Dioxide.
Note: I think this is a great product. It's very similar to Neutrogena's Ultra Sheer Liquid Daily Sunblock spf 70 - and the Shiseido actually costs a little less per oz. than the Neutrogena!

Link to Facial Sunscreen Reviews, Part 1

So which are my favorites?
1) Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion, spf 60
2) Peter Thomas Roth Max Sheer All Day Moisture Defense Lotion spf 30

If I was buying a drugstore brand facial sunscreen, it would be:
1) Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid Daily Sunblock spf 70
2) Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock, spf 100
(Although I'm guessing they'll be changing the names within the next year in order to be compliant with the new FDA regulations.)

Facial Sunscreen Reviews, Part 1

I promised I would review the facial moisturizers with SPF (and one sunless tanning product) that came in the Sun Safety kit I got from Sephora, so here it is!! I've tried all but 2 of the products, so the final two will be in a separate post.

Smashbox Photo Finish UVA/UVB spf 15 w/ Dermaxyl Complex
Pros: easy to apply, absorbs quickly, essentially fragrance-free, gives skin a flawless finish
Cons: as with the original Photo Finish, this product makes my face an absolute oilslick within a couple of hours, price
Repurchase? No, no, no. I can't tolerate an oilslick on my face.
Price: $42 for 1 oz.
Ingredients: Octinoxate (Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate) 7.5%, Octisalate (Ethylhexyl Salicylate) 5%, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ethyl Perfluoroisobutyl Ether, Ethyl Perfluorobutyl Ether, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Cola Acuminata Seed Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, C 12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Tribehenin, Ceramide 2, PEG-10 Rapeseed Sterol, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Water (Aqua, Eau), Ethyl Trisiloxane, Caprylyl Methicone, Methicone, Silica, Silica Silylate, Hexylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol. May Contain: Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891).

Philosophy hope oil-free spf 30
Pros: easy to apply, absorbs quickly & well, just a faint sunscreen odor that dissipates quickly; a slightly thicker lotion/cream that may offer a little more moisture for those who need it
Cons: after a couple of hours, my face was pretty oily - not as much as with the Smashbox, but still oilier than I would like
Repurchase? I would love a product like this for my body but not for my face. They do have a face & body sunscreen w/ spf 30 & antioxidants called "Shelter" - I think I'd like to try that for my body.
Price: $38 for 2 oz. (the price for "Shelter" is $25 for 4 oz.)
Ingredients: Octinoxate (7.5%), Octisalate (3.75%), Oxybenzone (4.0%), Zinc Oxide (4.53%). Inactives: Water (Aqua), C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dibutyl Adipate, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Glycerin, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Behenyl Alcohol, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Arachidyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, Dimethicone, Behenoxy Dimethicone, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Beta-Glucan, Tocopheryl Acetate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Powder, Arachidyl Glucoside, Maltodextrin, Rubus Fruticosus (Blackberry) Leaf Extract, Arginine, Benzyl Alcohol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizinate, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Disodium Edta, Citric Acid.

DDF Mattifying Oil Control UV Moisturizer spf 15
Pros: applies easily, absorbs quickly & well, very faint sunscreen odor that dissipates in a short time, lightweight lotion with a nice consistency
Cons: my face was really oily after a couple of hours, price
Repurchase? I really wanted to like this one, but because of the oil problem, I wouldn't repurchase. Something like this for the body would be awesome.
Price: $42 for 1.7 oz.
Ingredients: Octisalate 4%, Avobenzone 2%, Octocrylene 1.25%, Enzulizole 1%, Dimethicone, Triethanolamine, Isopropyl Isostearate, Pentylene Glycol, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Propylene Glycol, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Lactic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Silica Dimethicone Silylate, Stearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Cetyl Alcohol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Dimethiconol, Peg-100 Stearate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Cetearyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Disodium Edta, Peg-4 Laurate, Peg-4 Dilaurate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Peg-4, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Trideceth-9, Sodium Benzoate, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylparaben, Methylparaben, Propylparaben.

Boscia Oil-free Daily Hydration spf 15
Pros: applies easily, very thin, lightweight lotion that absorbs quickly & well, no sunscreen odor, took 3-4 hours for my face to show signs of oiliness
Cons: has a fragrance that reminds me of charcoal or ashes (eventually dissipates, but it makes me want to gag when I first put it on)
Repurchase? I would definitely buy this one if it wasn't for the fragrance. Every Boscia moisturizer I've tried has this odor & I find it pretty offensive. Who wants to smell like an ashtray?
Price: $36 for 1.4 oz.
Ingredients: Water, Butylene Glycol, Silica, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Pentylene Glycol, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Leaf Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/leaf/stem Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Algae Extract, Hydrolyzed Yeast Extract, Bishydroxyethyl Biscetyl Malonamide, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Hydrogenated Rapeseed Alcohol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sclerotium Gum, Aluminum Hydroxide, Potassium Phosphate, Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract, Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide.

Supergoop Everyday Face & Body Lotion spf 30
Pros: slightly thicker lotion that is easy to apply, faint sunscreen odor, price
Cons: have to work a bit to get this one rubbed in, takes longer to absorb, made my face pretty oily after a couple of hours
Repurchase? No
Price: $14 for 1.6 oz.
Ingredients: Homosalate (Sunscreen) 10%, Octisalate (Sunscreen) 5%, Avobenzone 3%, Octocrylene 2.8%, Water (Aqua), C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Acrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer (Waterproofing), Diethylhexyl 2,6-Naphthalate (Sunscreen Stabilizer), Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer, Acrylates Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E Acetate), Stearic Acid (Plant Derived), , Phospholipids, Helianthus Annus (Sunflower) Seed Extract, Glyceryl Stearate (Plant Derived), Cetyl Alcohol (Plant Derived), Carbomer, Behenyl Alcohol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Aloe Barbadensis (Organic Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Phenoxyethanol (Preservative), Glycerin (Plant Derived), Ethylhexylglycerin (Plant Derived Preservative), Polysilicone-15, Vaccinium Angustifolium (Blueberry) Fruit Extract, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
Note: They now have Save Face Serum spf 30 with Uniprotect - it's a lightweight antiaging serum with spf. I would love to try it!! My one concern is whether it would be possible to apply enough of the product to protect without it leaving a weird "film" on the skin (sometimes that makes it hard to apply foundation). $32 for 1.7 oz. - comes in a nifty airless pump bottle.

Peter Thomas Roth Max Sheer All Day Moisture Defense Lotion spf 30 (oil-free)
Pros: easy to apply, absorbs quickly & well, includes anti-aging ingredients, fragrance-free w/ a very, very faint sunscreen odor that dissipates quickly, lightweight lotion with almost a thick mousse-like consistency, cool pump bottle, left my face no more oily than it would normally be after a few hours 
Cons: price
Repurchase: Probably, but I wish it wasn't so expensive!
Price: $42 for 1.7 oz.
Ingredients: Octinoxate 7.5%, Octisalate 5.0%, Meradimate 5.0%, Oxybenzone 3.5%, Avobenzone 1.0%, Water (Aqua), Propylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Peg-100 Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Stearic Acid, Gingko Biloba Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Phospholipids, Ceramide 3, Dimethicone, Panthenol (Pro Vitamin B5), Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Allantoin, Cetyl Alcohol, Tetrasodium Edta, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Butylparaben, Propylparaben, Ethylparaben, Isobutylparaben.
Note: I really, really, really want to try the PTR Uber-Dry Sunscreen spf 30!! $26 for 4.2 oz. - I may buy this one to take on vacation in October. There is also Ultra Lite Oil-free Sunblock spf 30, $26 for 4 oz. and Un-Wrinkle Makeup-Less Chemical-Free spf 30 Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer, $48 for 1.3 oz. I need to go to Sephora & see if I can get samples!

(picture from sephora.com)

Tan Towel
Pros: very handy, single-use product, citrus-scent
Cons: I had a lot of difficulty getting this product to glide smoothly over my skin - it kept getting "stuck" and my hand would slip off it and I would have to go back & pick it up. It was very annoying & I was afraid that I would get uneven color, so I ended up going over all areas with another sunless tanning product. I later noticed that the product also contains erythrulose (another self-tanning ingredient) in addition to DHA - and erythrulose & I don't get along well. When I use erythrulose, I get funky fading - not good.
Repurchase? I don't think so - although I wish it had worked because it would be great for travel.
Price: $27 (med-dark) for either 5 full-size towelettes or 10 half-size towelettes; $24 (fair-med) for either 5 full-size towelettes or 10 half-size towelettes
Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Ethoxydiglycol, Dihydroxyacetone, Butylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E Acetate), Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Erythrulose, Sodium Metabisulfite, Fragrance (Parfum), Citric Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Propylparaben, Propylene Glycol, Methylparaben, Diazolidinyl Urea
Note: I had a difficult time using the full-size towelette, so I ended up cutting it in half, which made it easier to handle.

Link to Facial Sunscreen Reviews, Part 2

Sun Safety

You guys know I'm a huge believer in sun safety - so I wanted to remind you all to practice "safe sun"!! I recently purchased Sephora's Sun Safety kit, and inside was a little card with The Skin Cancer Foundation's Prevention Guidelines - I thought I'd share them here.

• Seek the shade, especially between 10 am and 4 pm.
• Do not burn.
• Avoid tanning and UV tanning booths. (Use a bronzer or self-tanner as a safe alternative)
• Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day.
• Apply 1 oz. (2 TBSP) total of sunscreen to all exposed areas, 30 minutes before going outside. Re-apply every two hours or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating.
• Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.
• Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreens should be used on babies over the age of six months.
• Examine your skin from head-to-toe once every month.
• See your physician every year for a professional skin exam.

This information was on the back of the card:
Sun is the #1 cause of Skin Aging.

Don't kid yourself - no matter how much you love it, the sun does not always love you back. According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, 90 percent of all premature skin aging and skin cancers are caused by sun exposure.

Protect yourself by using an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) 15 sunscreen or higher year-round, over (or in) your moisturizer in the morning. Use a powder with SPF 15+ to touch up throughout the day and look for products that help protect often missed areas such as the lips. To learn more go to www.skincancer.org.

(above info from Sephora/skincancer.org sun safety pocketguide)

The Sun Safety Kit is pretty cool - and it's a great way to try a lot of different sunscreens, etc. Unfortunately, it's out of stock now, so remember to order early next year! This year's kit contained:
- 0.03 oz Bare Escentuals bareMinerals SPF 25 Mineral Veil
- 0.5 oz Boscia Oil-free Daily Hydration SPF 15
- 0.5 oz DDF Mattifying Oil Control SPF 15
- 0.7 oz Murad Essential-C Day Moisture SPF 30
- 0.5 oz Ole Henriksen Fresh Lips SPF 15
- 0.5 oz Peter Thomas Roth Max Sheer All Day Defense Moisture Lotion SPF 30
- 0.4 oz Philosophy Hope Oil Free SPF 30
- 0.23 oz Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion SPF 60 PA +++
- 0.25 oz Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer SPF 15 With Dermaxyl Complex
- 0.33 oz Supergoop! Everyday SPF 30+
- 0.4 oz Supergoop! SPF 30 Sunscreen Swipe with Zinc for Sensitive Skin
- 0.5 oz TanTowel Plus Self-Tan Towelette For Face & Body
- Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Mini Flawless Application Brush
- Beach Tote

I'm working my way through them & will post reviews when I'm finished. Of the ones I've tried so far, my favorite (for my face) is the Peter Thomas Roth Max Sheer All Day Moisture Defense Lotion. I like the Boscia Oil-free Daily Hydration, too, but it has a slightly funky smell (like ashes/charcoal) and tends to make my face a little greasy after 3-4 hours.

I also got a cool wide-brimmed hat from Kohl's - it was on sale for around $15 and it's packable, which I love.

What are you doing for sun safety?

Cosmedicine Medi-Matte Oil Control Lotion

I have several facial sunscreen samples that I want to test - so I'm starting with this one by Cosmedicine. The Medi-Matte Oil Control lotion is marketed as an oil control lotion that is also a skin protectant with spf 20 (1.35 oz. for $42).

Tip #1 - if you are sensitive to silicones, avoid this product! Tip #2 - if you love how silicones make your skin look/feel - try this product!

I've used silicone products in the past - some I liked, some I didn't. Some made my skin look smoother and some made my face very oily after a few hours (even though my skin really isn't very oily anymore). Some made it impossible to apply mineral makeup (MMU) because the powder "stuck" to the silicones.

The Cosmedicine company says "a little goes a long way" and "if your face feels sticky, you've applied too much". Hmmmm. Now we all know that "a little goes a long way" are not words one hears in connection with a sunscreen. So if you follow the company's advice and just use a little, I wouldn't rely on it as your only sun protection.

I'm sure I used more than the company recommends, but it seemed to work just fine. I even mixed a bit of my MMU with it - and I loved how that turned out! When I mixed the MMU with the Medi-Matte Oil Control Lotion, the lotion became thicker, but I was still able to easily apply it. It made my pores virtually disappear! After waiting a few minutes for the product to set, I was able to dust more MMU on my skin for a bit more coverage without any caking of the powder.

I think the most impressive thing about this product is that at the end of the day, my makeup looked just like it did when I applied it! Even in 90 degree heat and 60% humidity!

The Cosmedicine site lists the key ingredients as:

• Dimethicone: OTC ingredient with a breathable barrier bolsters skin's natural defenses. Creates a "zone of inhibition" that prevents the entry of harmful external irritants and potential environmental skin-agers and prevents the exit of vital moisture.
• Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs): The ultimate cell regenerators. These marine-derived complex proteins help support the intercellular matrix and increase skin's elasticity.
• Pomegranate Extract: A potent antioxidant whose free radical fighting activity is shown to be higher than that of red wine and green tea.
• Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate): Powerful anti-oxidant in an easily absorbed form. Helps counteract skin damage; boosts skin's natural resistance UVA/UVB damage.

Active Ingredients:

• Octinoxate 7.5%
• Avobenzone 2%

Other ingredients:

• Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
• Purified Water
• Glycerin
• C12-14 Pareth-12
• Butylene Glycol
• Punica Granatum Extract
• Tocopheryl Acetate
• Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
• Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Root Extract
• Sorbitol
• Squalane
• Yeast Extract
• Bambusa Vulgaris Extract
• Pisum Sativum (Pea) Extract
• Glucosamine HCl
• Panthenyl Ethyl Ether
• Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
• Polysorbate 60
• Isopropylparaben
• Isobutylparaben
• Butylparaben

Bottom line: I wouldn't rely on this for adequate sun protection, but it's really great as a makeup primer if you have a tendency towards oily skin and don't have issues with silicones.
 

Repurchase? I liked it, but I don't know that I liked it enough to pay $42 for such a small tube - especially when you can't apply enough to get adequate protection from the sun. If it could actually double as a primer/sunscreen, then I would definitely consider repurchasing.

Is tan prettier?

Do you find people who are tan more attractive? Do you think they look healthier than their pale counterparts?

If you answered yes to one (or both) of those questions, you're not alone, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. In a survey of 7100 women and men nationwide, 80 percent said they have concerns about skin cancer; but 72 percent admitted they still find tanned people more attractive, and 66 percent said they think people with a tan look healthier. (read about the study here)

Personally, I think it depends upon the person. There are different shades of pale. Nicole Kidman has that perfect pale porcelain skin that just seems to glow. To me, she looks just as healthy as a tan and glowing Kate Hudson. But then you have my shade of pale. The pale where you can see all of the blue-green veins. The pale that looks sickly and has a bluish tinge. The pale where people constantly ask you if you're ill. In all honesty, a little bit of color does make me look healthier.

But getting a little bit of color doesn't have to be unhealthy. Go sunless, baby!!

I read this article on Glamour.com - and I was impressed to see that in one of their polls, only 16% of respondents planned to use a tanning bed this summer. Of course, they didn't ask how many planned to tan outside...

More articles from Glamour.com:
Still not wearing sunscreen? Look at these photos!
Fake Tan Take Two

What do you think?


Remember - May is Melanoma/Skin Cancer Awareness Month!! Practice safe sun and protect your skin!!

Skin Cancer/Melanoma Awareness

May is Skin Cancer/Melanoma Awareness Month, so it's a great time to think about protecting your skin if you're not already doing so. I know I've talked about this before, but it's something that is near and dear to my heart - and I don't want to see anyone develop skin cancer because they didn't practice sun safety.

Sephora has just listed their annual Sun Safety Kit. For $25, you get 10 sunscreens, 2 uv-monitor bracelets, and a pink makeup bag ($95 value). 100% of the profits go to the Skin Cancer Foundation!! Don't hesitate, because these sell out quickly. I bought last years set and it was great to be able to try different sunscreens. This year's set has:

- 0.10 oz Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25 in Lemon and Chamomile
- 0.25 oz Peter Thomas Roth Max Sheer All Day Defense Lotion SPF 30
- 0.16 oz Kate Somerville Protect SPF 55 Serum Sunscreen
- 0.27 oz Clarins Delectable Self Tanning Mousse SPF 15
- 0.16 oz Cover FX BritePrep FX Brightening Foundation Primer & Photo-Aging Defense SPF 50
- 0.34 oz Bliss Best of Skintentions Daily Moisturizer SPF 15
- 0.23 oz Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream SPF 60 PA+++
- 0.25 oz Ole Henriksen Herbal Day Cream SPF 15
- 0.25 oz Smashbox Photo Finish UVA/UVB SPF 15
- 0.02 oz Bare Escentuals BareMinerals Multi-tasking Face SPF 20 in Summer Bisque
- Pink Sephora makeup bag
- 2 x single-use UVSunSense UV monitoring bracelets

Did you know that there are many sunscreens out there that don't provide adequate UVA protection? UVA rays make up 95% of the UV spectrum - and they're the ones that cause aging/skin damage. UVB rays are the ones that cause sunburn and they're strongest at midday and during the summer. UVA rays are present year round, all day long - and they can penetrate glass. So if you're not protecting your skin year round with a good UVA-blocking sunscreen, then you're damaging your skin.

And don't let marketing jargon fool you - there aren't any sunscreens that offer "all-day protection" or are "water-proof", despite what the bottle may say. They may be water-resistant, and that's great - but if you're in the sun all day, you need to reapply the sunscreen every couple of hours - especially if you're sweating or in the water.

Another misconception is that a high spf will give you more/better protection. Not necessarily. A product with spf 15 will block 94% of the UVB rays, while a product with spf 30 will block 97% of the UVB rays. The problem arises when people think that because they have applied a product with spf 70, they can stay out all day without reapplying. No, no, no!!! And spf doesn't have anything to do with the UVA rays at all! So even if you don't get a burn, you may have still allowed the sun to damage your skin.

Read this article for more information about chemical and physical sunblocks.

Read this article for information about sunscreen myths/concerns.

(Thanks, Vicki, for the links to the articles!)

Sunless.com is a great place to find information about sun safety. There is a wealth of information about sunless tanning - and even a list of "good" sunscreens. This link takes you to the FAQS, where you can find information about Vitamin D, sunscreen ingredients, UV damage, etc.

Remember - using sunscreen alone is not enough!!! The Skin Cancer Foundation has a list of tips for skin cancer prevention:

• Seek the shade, especially between 10 A.M. and 4 P.M.
• Do not burn.
• Avoid tanning and UV tanning booths.
• Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day.
• Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours.
• Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.
• Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreens should be used on babies over the age of six months.
• Examine your skin head-to-toe every month.
• See your physician every year for a professional skin exam.

They also have a list of year round sun protection tips that can be found here.

I hope y'all have a fun, sun-safe summer!!

Don't forget the sunscreen!

Spring is here and the weather is getting warmer! I love sunshine! But the sun doesn't love me. And I don't like what it does to my skin. So a good sunscreen is an absolute "must" for me. This isn't a problem for my body - a good broad spectrum UVA-UVB sunscreen will do the trick - but my face is another story. My face is very sensitive and is prone to break-outs, clogged pores, and oiliness when it comes to sunscreens. My go-to facial sunscreen for the past few years has been Neutrogena's Ultra Dry Touch Sheer - it offers great protection and doesn't irritate my face. But it does tend to make my face feel greasy after a few hours - and I hate that.

Recently, I saw an ad for Neutrogena's new sunscreen - Ultra Sheer Liquid Daily Sunblock. My hope was that it would have the same consistency as La Roche-Posay's Anthelios Fluide Extreme (the one available in the UK). The Fluide Extreme is a great product with a thinner consistency and I really like it - but I don't like the price (or the shipping charges to the US).

The Ultra Sheer Liquid is offered in 55 spf and 70+ spf. It contains Helioplex®, which offers broad-spectrum UVA-UVB protection. It's oil-free, PABA-free, and is both waterproof & sweatproof.

Active Ingredients: Avobenzone (3%), Homosalate (10%), Octisalate (5%), Octocrylene (7.5%), Oxybenzone (5%)

Inactive Ingredients: Water, Cetyl Dimethicone, Silica, Styrene/Acrylataes Copolymer, C12 15 Alkyl Benzoate, Pentylene Glycol, Steareth 2, Cyclopentasiloxane, Polyester 7, Chlorphenesin, Bisabolol, Disodium EDTA, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, BHT, Mannan, Xanthan Gum, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Camelia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Diethylhexyl 2 6 Naphthalate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Pantothenic Acid, Retinyl Palmitate, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance.

In my area, the price was $13.49 at Walgreens and $11.00 at Target. Last week, Walgreens was offering a special on Neutrogena suncare products - buy one, get one 50% off. I had a coupon for $2 off a Neutrogena suncare product, so I bought two bottles at Walgreens.

So far, I'm very impressed. It absorbs quickly, leaves a matte finish, and I haven't  experienced any oiliness (even after a day of running errands in 83 degree weather). There is a slight "sunscreen" odor when first applied, but that seems to dissipate quickly. I wear mineral makeup as my foundation, and sometimes sunscreen can cause the powder to go on unevenly. This hasn't been a problem with the Ultra Sheer Liquid.

Now I just have to wait 2-3 weeks to see if I have any issues with breakouts. I'm really hopeful though - and think this will probably be my new holy grail facial sunscreen.

Practice safe sun! And don't forget that you need to wear sunscreen even on overcast days. Some articles to read:

• FDA - Sun Safety: Save Your Skin
• kidshealth.org - How to Be Safe When You're in the Sun
• skincancer.org - Go With Your Own Glow
• sunless.com - a list of good sunscreens