Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Tuesday Tip: Stay safe in the sun

Did you know the SPF of a pair of blue jeans is about 1700?  And a white t-shirt has an SPF of about 8.  Certainly, the American Cancer society does a great job at educating us about skin cancer.  We've all heard we need to use sunblock to protect us from serious sunburns that can lead to skin cancer.  But there are so many options available!  So which products should you use?

Well, the answer is that you need to use the products that work best for you.  For me, it's a little tricky.  Sunscreen makes me break out, and there is nothing attractive about sitting at the beach covered in pimples.  So here's what I like.

For my son, who has sensitive skin, I like Banana Boat's Kids Tear Free SPF 50 Lotion. It doesn't seem to bother his skin and it protects him very well. I also insist he wears a hat. Sometimes its a struggle, but I don't want his delicate skin to get too much exposure. www.bananaboat.com.

For me, I use a combination of products. I use the Mary Kay Day Solution SPF 25 on my face. It has good coverage, age fighting properties, and doesn't make me break out. It's a little pricey at $30 for a small bottle, but it lasts for a pretty long time if you only use it on your face. And it's well worth avoiding sunblock-induced pimples! www.marykay.com.

For the rest of me, I like Ultra Defense® UltraMist® Sunscreen SPF 30 Continuous Clear Spray. It goes on soooooo easy. You just shake it and spray it all over you. It feels tacky for a minute or two until it dries, but then you're good to go. I'm much less likely to miss a spot and it goes on so much quicker than lotion. And it hasn't failed me yet! It's easier to reapply at the beach since there's no rubbing involved. I also try to spritz a tiny bit at the partline in my hair. An awful lot of melanoma's go undiagnosed on the scalp since you can't see your skin there very well. Banana boat also makes a Scalp and Body Sunscreen spray. It's a good idea, especially if your hair is thin or thinning, to prevent sunburn on your head. It's a really sensitive place!

I'm very intrigued by the Bare Minerals SPF 30 Sunscreen. It's a powder that goes on anywhere you need it. I haven't tried it yet, but its on my to do list! www.bareescentuals.com.

Another interesting product - www.coolibar.com - clothes recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation for its SPF properties.

When you're applying sunscreen, make sure you don't miss any hard to reach parts, and apply 20 minutes before you go out into the sun. Reapply according to the directions on the package. Take frequent breaks from the sun, drink lots of water, and wear a great big hat!

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