Accessorize

One of the many things that I love about being a women is our god given right to accessorize. From bangles that dangle on every inch of our forearm to the plethora of head bands, we have an opportunity to dress up every aspect of our life. Let’s just take the multitude of options available for our “most needed” electronic devices. That blackberry or iPhone that’s responsible for finger and wrist issues? Oh yes, it has to be clothed with a decorated case at all times. The iPod? Don’t worry it has convertible holder that allows it be used 3 ways. The lap top? Did you see Goyard's carrying case? It’s a must have! And of course all of these essential items can’t be carried around without our favorite accessory of all…the handbag! So when it comes to sun protection it should come as no surprise that there are plenty of accessories to go around!

But like all things, we need a discerning eye to weed through the garbage and identify the must haves:

My Top 6 “Don’t Dream of Leaving Home Without It” Suncare Accessories

1. UVSunSense Bracelet: This wrist bling is takes the concept of adornment to the next level. An intuitive bracelet, this sun monitor identifies what SPF level you’ve applied and changes colors to indicate when you should be reapplying sun creen and when it’s time to head indoor. With this sun smart system there’s no reason you should ever end up looking or feeling like a cooked lobster.

2. Sun Guard Laundry Additive: Did you know that those festy UVA rays (the ones responsible for aging) can penetrate through glass and clothes? By washing your clothes with Sun Guard you infuse your clothes with an invisible shield that provides an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of 30 for up to 20 future washes.

3. Sun Protection Towelettes: These nifty on the go wipes make sun protection easy and fast. Try Supergoop! SPF 30 Sunscreen Swipes to give weightless protection all over (including those hard to reach places!). Formulated with physical blockers (I know you’re up with the suncare lingo since you read the last 2 posts), these wipes are safe for even the most sensitive skin. Now there’s really no excuse to not be protected!

4. Eye Cream: Your eye is the most fragile area with the thinnest skin found on your face so it needs a souped up protection to keep those pesky crow’s feet at bay. The problem is sunscreen formulations tend to be too irritating to this delicate area. That’s why I have fallen head over heels in love with the Shiseido Sun Protection Eye Cream SPF 32. Luxurious and sweet smelling this cream fortifies and protects the area most prone to premature aging.

5. Powder: So yes you put on the sunscreen and then the eye cream (see above) but why not give a little extra sun shielding oomph to the most sun suspetible areas like your nose or cheekbones. Mineral based loose powders like Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral SPF 45 allow you to dust on an added layer of invisible protection with physical blockers to prevent freckling, burning and spotting. Added bonus? This powder keeps your skin matte (no oil slicks for you!) and smooth.

Usage tip: Perhaps your new accessories will need a carrying case...I wonder what beach bag Goyrad has!

The result: Sun saviness with all the latest "it" accessories!

Best in Class

Have you noticed that we’ve become a “best” obsessed society. Everything we do, wear, consume, own or even believe in must be the absolute best. And so when the “best” e-reader (iPad-it does more than the rest) or Chanel lipstick (did you see the waitlists for Rouge Coco Mademoiselle?) launches we herd like brainwashed sheep into atrocious long lines often days before this “best” is even available to be the first to have the “best.” But I guess that’s just the way evolution has preprogrammed us. Supported by Darwinian theory of survival of the fittest we, like active hunters, seek out the best in class, so that we have the right tools and resources to be the best version of ourselves. So with that I would like to present to you the best in class suncare, itemized by your lifestyle, skin type and protection level. This way you will be armed with the “best” as you spend the holiday weekend poolside, beachside or bbqside.

Best in Class Suncare

Active: Coppertone Sport Continuous Spray SPF 70+ mists your body with a weightless veil of essential protection that resists water and sweat. Skin feels bare as you spike that volleyball.

Beach Bound: If you’re like me you hate the way sand and your sticky body seem to be magnets for one another. That’s why I love Neutrogena Ultra Sheer SPF 100. It’s virtually invisible, drying instantly while keeping UV damage at bay with their Helioplex complex of UV filters.

For the Kidos and the Family: I’m sure you read the last post where we covered the mildest yet most comprehensive sun protection so it should come as no surprise that I recommend Neutrogena Baby Lotion SPF 60. Yes I know your 3 year old is not a baby but this sunblock is formulated with physical filters that are naturally derived treating the skin as delicately as possible.

Sensitive Skin: You know the answer! We covered it last time!

Anti-Aging: It’s essential that your suncare care not only has broadspecturm protection but that is also fortified with super power antioxidants like vitamins C and E to protect skin from free radical damage. I recommend the Neutrogena Spectrum+ range with offerings for the face and body or La Roche Posay Anthelios 60 available in a fluid (so amazing!), lotion or milk.

Rolls Royce of Sun Protection: Available only abroad (and in some cases a stone throw away in Canada) the La Roche Posay Anthelios XL SPF 50+ is one of the most comprehensive, truly full spectrum protection sunscreens I’ve seen. An insider favorite, many European bound travelers end up smuggling and stockpiling this sun essential in their luggage. You can find it online through Canadian pharmacies.

Usage tip: Remember the 5 essentials rules! They should always be your sun mantra.

The result: Flawless, discerning protection custom chosen for you! I wish you, your family and friends a Happy 4th of July! Enjoy…but remember the sunscreen!

Green SPF

I can't tell you how tired I'm of reading yet another article about some sort of chemical ingredient causing cancer, severe allergic reactions or even fetal deformities. It seems like there's nothing left we can eat, drink, rub on ourselves, wash our clothes or even paint our houses with without worrying about the consequences. So the 15 year double digit growth of organic and natural products only makes sense in this environment. Despite recessions, budget cuts and trading down consumerism the natural and organic sector has thrived not because it's trendy but because there's a validity behind it...it's safer, better for you and for the environment. Luckily when it comes to sunscreen there is a widely available natural alternative.

Often referred to as organic filters, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are the greener, more natural version of UV protection. Naturally derived and mineral based, these filters are used in "sunblocks" versus "sunscreen." Notice the difference! Sunscreens are made up of chemical filters (like avobenzone, octocrylene, etc) that absorb UV light and deactivate it from it's destructive nature. Sunblocks are actual physical blockers that act like a shield on the skin prohibiting UVA and UVB rays from penetrating the skin's surface. Providing full spectrum protection against all UV wavelengths these filters act as a wall sitting on the skin's surface. Therefore they are not absorbed into the epidermis making them ideal for sensitive skin and kids/babies. No breakouts, no allergic reactions just pure protection. That's probably why Neutrogena Sensitive Skin SPF 60+ Sunblock is made with "Puresceen technology" aka titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Years ago these sunblocks use to have a heavy white residue (remember the life guards?) but thanks to technology innovation these filters have become micronized to be as weightless and sheer as chemical sunscreens. For this invisible coverage also try the new Skinceuticals Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50 designed to protect needy skin made ultra susceptible by cosmetic work like peels and lasers.

Usage tip: Sunblocks can be wiped off more easily by water and sweat so I would recommend reapply every 60 to 90 minutes especially if you're spending a lot of time in the pool or ocean.

The result: Natural broadspectrum protection for even the most sensitive or green oriented skin!

No Nonesense

There are some topics that are just so juicy they ooze sexiness, like the new come hither mascara or the cleavage enhancing bronzing technique...and then there are the other subject matters. Topics not as enticing or delicious but equally if not more important, like sun protection, an apt subject matter for the summer season and upcoming 4th of July holiday. So for the next few posts we will focus on the ins, outs and in-betweens of suncare. It won’t be juicy (think grade school sex ed vs experiential learning) but at least you will be become an expert in properly protecting yourself from harmful UV rays. With the incidence of melanoma not only on the rise but higher than the number of new cases of breast, prostate, lung and colon cancer combined there’s no excuse in not being suncare savvy.

So to ease into the pain I thought it might be beneficial to start with the top 5 things you need to know about sun protection. Then in the coming posts we will cover the products, newest technologies and even techniques/tips to take your protection to the next level.

Suncare 101:

1.What does SPF mean?
SPF=Sun protection factor and is an indicator of how much UV exposure your skin can tolerate before burning while wearing sunscreen versus not being protected at all. So the higher the SPF the greater the shield. Some people like to do creative math and assume that if they're skin can tolerate 10 minutes of sun before burning then an SPF 50 will allow them to stay out for 500 minutes (10 x50). Unfortunately what this equation doesn't consider is the intensity of the UV rays. This is of course dependent on time (sun is always strongest around 2pm) location (UV rays are stronger in higher elevations and places closer to the equator). Bottom line? Apply sunscreen (an SPF 30 at a minimum but I recommend at least a 50).

2. How do I use it?

The greatest challenge is improper application. Often people are too stingy in the amount they apply so an SPF 50 becomes more like a 12. Here's the rule of thumb you should always follow. Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before going outside allowing the filters to set in and protect. Then you must reapply every 1-2 hours during the entire duration you are outside. Don't be cheap! Trust me the cost of lasering off suspicious moles is much pricier than a bottle of sunscreen. Always apply a shot glass full of sunscreen to your body and a nickle size to your face.

3. I think I might be Vitamin D deficient so can I skip the SPF?

All I can say is seriously?! If you want to argue your way out of this (which is impossible) try a more legitimate reasoning. The reality is you only need 10 minutes of sun to synthesize vitamin D. Chances are that you already get this during your daily outside time while running errands in a skirt or t-shirt (of course your face is still protected with a moisturizer plus SPF because sun exposure on legs or arms during those 10 minutes is all that's needed!).

4. Will sunscreens completely block photoaging (premature aging caused by the sun)?

The reality is there is no single sunscreen on the market that blocks all UVA and UVB and shields skin against infrared rays (made primarily from sun's heat). Instead boost your sun protection with antioxidants that help block any escaped UV or infrared damage. Layer an antioxidant-rich serum under your sunscreen or look for SPF's that are formulated with vitamin E like Neutrogena's new Spectrum. Make sure that your sunscreen does not include any vitamin A which has been found to become carcinogenic when exposed to sun.

5. I rarely burn when I'm in the sun so it must mean I'm ok using a lower or no SPF, right?

WRONG! Even that sun kissed tan of yours spells UV damage. Understand that tanning is your skin's natural defense mechanism to protect itself from sun damage. As you sit in the sun your skin starts to produce more melanin (pigment) which in turn form a barrier within the skin trying to shield the dermis (skin's deeper layer) from the harmful UV rays.

Usage tip: Something tells me that you have any enough tips from all the above. The only other things I can repeat for the millionth time is that this is not a joke. Melanoma is real and it can kill.

The result: Younger, healthier skin compliments of your newly acquired sun IQ.