Sunscreen Sprays and Lotions
Traditional sunscreens can come in the form of lotions, oils, creams and sprays and are recommended to be used year-round by organizations like the American Cancer Society. And remember, just because it is a cloudy day or you plan to be indoors, that doesn’t mean you can skip the SPF; the sun can still wreak havoc on your skin during cloudy weather and even through glass.
When shopping for the perfect SPF (which stands for Sun Protection Factor), be sure that you snag one that is a broad-spectrum sunscreen; this means that it protects against both UVA and UVB rays. UVA radiation doesn’t cause sunburns but it does increase your skin cancer risk, while UVB rays are the ones that cause nasty burns.
As far as going with a lotion, oil or spray, the choice is yours. The ease of a spray, like Sun Bum Continuous Sunscreen Spray, is perfect for those on the go, while lotions and oils have moisturizing benefits. Just keep in mind when applying any type of SPF that the amount of sunscreen you should apply to your body is roughly the same amount that can fit into a shot glass.
Tinted Moisturizers, BB Creams and CC Creams and Makeup with SPF
Who doesn’t want skin that looks young, fresh and vibrant as long as possible? That is why SPF is a key product to use on your face daily. The harmful UV rays from the sun can cause you to age faster and can leave you with premature wrinkles, sunspots and even worse, the big ‘C’ (yes, we are talking about skin cancer). So, do not rely on makeup with SPF alone. Be sure to put on a double dose when it comes to protecting your face. What do we mean by a double dose? Keep using your makeup that includes SPF protection, but also put a layer of sunscreen on before by using a facial moisturizer with SPF, a tinted moisturizer with SPF or a BB or CC Cream that includes it.
West Coast skin specialist, Trish Sbarro recommends using at least SPF 30 on your face prior to applying makeup. Her favorite sunscreen pick is the La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50 Mineral Ultra-Light Sunscreen Fluid because of its matte finish and high level of sun protection. Sbarro also reminds you to protect your pout with a lip balm that has an SPF of at least 30, a good pick is Shiseido Sun Protection Lip Treatment with SPF 36.
Sunscreen Tips to Live By:
-Apply your choice of sunscreen about 15 minutes before you head outdoors.
-A shot glass of sunscreen is the ideal amount to cover your entire body.
-Reapply your sunscreen every 2 hours, sooner if you have taken a dip in the water.
-Pick a broad-spectrum SPF to protect against ALL harmful UV rays.
-Don’t forget the “trouble” zones that are often neglected when you apply sunscreen. These include the ears, back of the knees, hands and feet.
And lastly,
-Don’t rely on last season’s sunscreen. SPF loses its potency over time so make sure you are 100% protected by picking up a new sunscreen with each new season.
Published in the SU2014 Issue of RUNWAY.