Is sunscreen really important?
Myth: It’s a cloudy day! I don’t need sunscreen.
Fact: Yes you do! You always need sunscreen, even if it’s a cloudy day.
When I think of the seasons coming and going, I can’t help but think along these lines:
Autumn’s reverence passes to
Winter’s perseverance passes to
Springs innocence passes to
Summer’s exuberance
And isn’t that the truth? Summer is exuberant. The heat has come in all forms--humid-dry-stifling-- and exuberantly into our lives. This blog is about slowing down a bit, despite the excitement of the sun, in order to focus on the tender loving care we need to give our skin.
Summer is my most favorite time of year. I love the heat. In my youth, I spent hours amongst hours in the sun reapplying tanning oil and sprinting in front of the mirror to see my tanning progress. It was always a thrill to remove that little palm tree sticker I placed on my hip and see my “before” skin as white as snow. I wanted to be dark. I wanted to be tan, because let’s be honest beauties, we all look better tan.
Then, I became the Beauty Nurse. When I entered this industry I was astonished at the stats. Did you know that skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States? Did you know that 80 percent of the sun’s rays pass through clouds to penetrate your skin? Did you know that sunscreen expires? That even though you may be hiding under an umbrella on the beach you're still getting rays reflecting off the sand and water that still burn you.
Did you know that the number one cause for premature aging is ultraviolet exposure?
Wow.
I was stunned. After I had the facts, I threw away my tanning oil. I boycotted tanning beds. I applied sunscreen on my entire body like it was nobody’s business. After hearing those facts, wouldn’t you too?
Let’s all get on the bandwagon. Let us not only fight the potential for skin cancer, but also fight the aging process. Are you in?
Here are a few tidbits I have gathered through my years in this industry. You may already know this, but refreshers don’t hurt!
~ SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. I didn’t know that!
~ There are numerous levels of SPF ranging from 7-70. The higher the number, doesn’t necessarily mean your skin will be protected. It’s sufficient enough to apply SPF 15 or 30 if you apply every two hours and liberally.
~ Choose a sunscreen that is broad-spectrum, meaning it will protect you from UVA and UVB Rays.
~ Choose a sunscreen that has Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide. These are two key ingredients.
~ Apply 15-30 minutes before entering the sun
~ I cannot stress this enough. Sunscreen should cover you EVERYWHERE. It’s not just for your face. Someone wise once told me, “Whatever you do to your face, do to your neck and chest.” I loved that. I don’t want to age having a flawless face and a wrinkled neck!
~Even though you are wearing moisturizer and/or makeup with SPF in it doesn't mean that's sufficient. No one applies their makeup like they should an SPF.
Want to know what some of my favorite sunscreens are? See below! If you came to my house, looked in my beach bag, car and purse you would find all of these.
Supergoop! 'Everyday' Sunscreen with Cellular Response Technology Broad Spectrum SPF 50
Anthelios 60 Face & Body Melt In Sunscreen Milk SPF 60
SuntegrityNatural Moisturizing Face Sunscreen & Primer, SPF 30
SuntegrityNatural Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 For Body
Vanicream Sunscreen SPF 35 Sport 4 oz
EltaMD UV Lotion Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 30+, 7 oz
Sunscreen + Primer SPF 30
30 mL / 1 Fl. Oz.
SUNFORGETTABLE®TOTAL PROTECTION BRUSH-ON SHIELD SPF 50
What are your must-have sunscreens?
Now, go get your sunscreen. Lather yourself up. Wait 15 minutes. Grab yourself a cocktail, a big sun hat, and go enjoy that summer sun before it passes.
Take care of yourself.
Shine on you exuberant beauties.
Shine on.