Hi all! In case you've missed it on the news this week, the FDA will be rolling out some mandatory changes to sunscreen labels beginning in 2012. So why am I bringing it up now? Well, because some of the information is good to know ahead of time and all the time. The short version of the story is this: Manufacturers will now have make their labels much clearer as to what the ingredients are and what the product will do, making them more like an over-the-counter medication than a cosmetic item. The biggest changes are:
1. No more words like "waterproof" or "sweatproof" because that was kind of a marketing gimmick to begin with. If you swim, exercise/sweat, surf, whatever you have to reapply. Period. There will be instructions on when to re-apply on the label as well.
2. Only SPF 15 and above, broad spectrum (UVA and UVB protection) can claim to prevent skin cancer. Everything else will say "prevent sunburn" or something similar.
Again, this won't take effect until next summer, but these things are good to know right now.
This article from Boing Boing on 4 things you didn't know about sunscreen is excellent, I highly recommend giving it a read.
Also, here's a video link to the Today show where they discuss the changes.
Showing posts with label sunscreen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sunscreen. Show all posts
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
Annual summer sunscreen tote!
 |
| Photo: Sephora.com |
Sephora's annual summer sunscreen tote is now available. I usually get this every year, it's nice to have the little samples to throw in your purse or beach bag. Plus, $25 is a good deal for all of this:
- 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 +++** (Two stars for this one!!)
- 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 (Have heard good things about this!)
- Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Mini Flawless Application Brush
- Beach Tote (not the sturdiest, but a nice little bag to have around)
The asterisks (*) by the items are things I have tried and enjoy! You can order HERE at Sephora.com. Also, 100% of the proceeds go to the Skin Cancer foundation, so it's beauty for a good cause!!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Review: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid
I have a new favorite face sunscreen! I got this in my Allure summer beauty bag that I bought a few months ago. I just now got around to trying this out (here near the end of summer, but it stays hot for months down here...so I can still use it). I present to you:
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid in SPF 70
I was already a fan of Neutrogena, using their regular face sunscreen all the time. However, this newer liquid has some definite benefits over the sunscreen.
1. It's sheer, just as advertised. I didn't try to wear it under makeup, but I can totally see this being a viable option. It's like a serum. It comes out white, but once you rub it in it's clear.
2. It soaks more into the skin, so I got improved, longer lasting coverage.
3. Comes in a nice, small package that easily fits in a small cosmetics bag or purse. A little goes a loooong way too.
4. THIS IS THE KICKER. No burning once I started to sweat. NONE. I don't know about all of you, but even if it says "PABA free" it still burns a little bit right at the beginning of wearing it, especially around the eyes. Not this stuff. Based on that ALONE I have switched to this product as my primary face sunscreen.
Price is $12, but it's on sale at neutrogena.com for $9.99, so it may be on sale in drugstores as well.
Photo courtesy of www.neutrogena.com
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Consumer Report's top sunscreen on the Today show
Morning! You all probably remember my recent post all about sunscreen. Well this morning on the Today show they had Consumer Reports on to discuss their top brands. The winner? Target's Up and Up Continuous Sport Spray! I just checked the Target website, and a twin pack is $9.44! That's a really great price. On the segment, the Consumer reports rep said it provided great coverage and protection with the best price point. I will definitely have to check this out. I shop at Target all.the.time...so it's an easy grab.
Walgreens brand took second place, and Banana boat took third. BananaBoat is one of my personal favs, we have about 10 spray cans in the house right now. The link to the full article from the Today show is HERE.
Photo courtesy of Target.com
Walgreens brand took second place, and Banana boat took third. BananaBoat is one of my personal favs, we have about 10 spray cans in the house right now. The link to the full article from the Today show is HERE.
Photo courtesy of Target.com
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
It's Here!
The sunscreen kit I spoke about last post has arrived! SUNKIT AT SEPHORA for only $25. This year it comes with a Sephora makeup bag, which is fun. I still use my little tote I got last year, so I'm sure this one will be sturdy as well. I'm very interested to test out the UV bracelets. I've never heard of a monitor like that! Here's the list from Sephora.com:
This set contains:
On a side note...for all of you that read my blog and live in Nash, I feel for you. I'm so sad to see my part-time home in such turmoil from the flood. There are many ways for others to help. Here is a list provided by Nashvillest: Nashville is Flooded, How Can I Help? I hate I'm not there to help, but hopefully some people will read this and help. Again, for my friends there, I'm thinking of y'all!
This set contains:
- 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 (Tried this last year, liked it)
- 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+++ (LOOOVVEE THIS)
- 0.25 oz Ole Henriksen Herbal Day Cream SPF 15
- 0.25 oz Smashbox Photo Finish UVA/UVB SPF 15 (Good stuff!!)
- 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
On a side note...for all of you that read my blog and live in Nash, I feel for you. I'm so sad to see my part-time home in such turmoil from the flood. There are many ways for others to help. Here is a list provided by Nashvillest: Nashville is Flooded, How Can I Help? I hate I'm not there to help, but hopefully some people will read this and help. Again, for my friends there, I'm thinking of y'all!
Monday, April 26, 2010
Sunscreen 101
Um, yeah it's basically summer in Louisiana now. The full force of the humidity hasn't hit yet, but we are getting there. The mosquito swarms showed up last week, so that's a big sign. AND I took my first trip out on the river where I didn't have to wear a cover-up to keep warm the entire boat ride. I DID, however, require sunscreen. SPF 70, actually, since my vampire skin can't take the full sun right off the bat. By July I may be able to back down to SPF 30, but that's about as low as I can go.
So I thought I would do a post on sunscreen! The beauty magazines and websites have started discussing, so I thought I would share some of the things I had been reading and include some of my own tips as well. So, let's discuss.
1. What's the difference in SPF anyway?
Well, past about SPF 30, not much. According to a report in Allure this month, there is not much difference in the actual protection. HOWEVER, a study showed that higher SPF helps throughout the day. If you are not one who is good about re-applying (like me), then go with the high SPF. Participants wore SPF 30 or SPF 70. They did not reapply all day. Only one person wearing the 70 had a sunburn, while all of the SPF 30 wearers got burned. While the researchers are unsure why this occurs, they did say that it shows there is some benefit to higher SPF.
2. How much do I need to apply?
A lot. A WHOLE FRICKIN LOT. A tablespoon on your face, and basically a shot glass or two for the rest of your body. You also need to apply before you go out in the sun. I recommend slathering up before you put your suit on. Let it absorb while you finish getting ready, and then hit the beach/pool/river/etc!
3. What to look for?
Key words: UVA and UVB protection. Helioplex is a relatively new addition that is supposed to block out more harmful rays. I've noticed when I use Neutrogena with Helioplex I don't get burned EVER. If you don't like the sting, look for Pabafree. Sweatproof, sport, and waterproof are also good because even if you are a beach bum like me (i.e. not one bit of physical activity) you still sweat. Buying the sport brands helps it stay on!
4. What order to apply SPF, moisturizer, makeup, etc?
From what I've read in various sources, you should go from lighter items (serums, light lotions) to heavier items (sunscreen and makeup). On a daily basis my makeup has sunscreen, so I just apply as normal. I don't wear much makeup when I have heavy duty sunscreen on...plus I'm usually sweating to death anyway. My order of operations, nonetheless, is: wash face, apply light lotion, apply sunscreen, apply tinted moisturizer, apply waterproof mascara, chapstick, done.
5. What are some good brands?
So I thought I would do a post on sunscreen! The beauty magazines and websites have started discussing, so I thought I would share some of the things I had been reading and include some of my own tips as well. So, let's discuss.
1. What's the difference in SPF anyway?
Well, past about SPF 30, not much. According to a report in Allure this month, there is not much difference in the actual protection. HOWEVER, a study showed that higher SPF helps throughout the day. If you are not one who is good about re-applying (like me), then go with the high SPF. Participants wore SPF 30 or SPF 70. They did not reapply all day. Only one person wearing the 70 had a sunburn, while all of the SPF 30 wearers got burned. While the researchers are unsure why this occurs, they did say that it shows there is some benefit to higher SPF.
2. How much do I need to apply?
A lot. A WHOLE FRICKIN LOT. A tablespoon on your face, and basically a shot glass or two for the rest of your body. You also need to apply before you go out in the sun. I recommend slathering up before you put your suit on. Let it absorb while you finish getting ready, and then hit the beach/pool/river/etc!
3. What to look for?
Key words: UVA and UVB protection. Helioplex is a relatively new addition that is supposed to block out more harmful rays. I've noticed when I use Neutrogena with Helioplex I don't get burned EVER. If you don't like the sting, look for Pabafree. Sweatproof, sport, and waterproof are also good because even if you are a beach bum like me (i.e. not one bit of physical activity) you still sweat. Buying the sport brands helps it stay on!
4. What order to apply SPF, moisturizer, makeup, etc?
From what I've read in various sources, you should go from lighter items (serums, light lotions) to heavier items (sunscreen and makeup). On a daily basis my makeup has sunscreen, so I just apply as normal. I don't wear much makeup when I have heavy duty sunscreen on...plus I'm usually sweating to death anyway. My order of operations, nonetheless, is: wash face, apply light lotion, apply sunscreen, apply tinted moisturizer, apply waterproof mascara, chapstick, done.
5. What are some good brands?
My favorite face product is Neutrogena Dry Touch SPF 70 with Helioplex. It's GREAT. It goes on fairly thick and white, but after a few seconds is completely absorbed. It doesn't sting, and when I wear it on my face I do NOT get burned. $10.99 at drugstores.
My favorite body product is Banana Boat Sport SPF 30. It does need reapplying throughout the day, but it's light, absorbs well, and works well!
I used to love the spray sunscreen. And I still do to an extent, especially when out on the beach and in need of a even re-application. However, never never spray this stuff in your house/bathroom. It takes major elbow grease to get it out of the tub and off the tiles. We also found out that it stains our boat seats. Big time. Which probably means it stains your car leather, chairs, etc. So we've switched back to lotion in our house. (If you want to know though, the best spray as far as application and staying power is BananaBoat. By FAR. Coppertone is terrible, I don't recommend).
Allure has a list of it's editor's fav products for the face HERE. Be on the lookout for Sephora's sample sunscreen sale. It usually happens around May, and you get a cute bag stuffed with samples to try for about $20 if I remember correctly. It's great because you can try different samples, and the little containers fit in your purse or beach bag perfectly! But why buy little samples? That's my next point:
6. THROW AWAY SUNSCREEN FROM LAST YEAR
Sunscreen expires. Within a year of purchase usually. If it is expired, it will not work. So while that giant container of sunscreen may seem like the best value dollar-wise, it isn't if you don't plan to use it and throw away almost all of it the following summer. I have found it's best to just buy the normal size tubes, use it, and buy more. Just don't use old stuff, mmmkay??
7. Anything else?
Don't forget your hair and lips. I am a chapstick addict (I honestly cannot make it through even half a day without it). I also have light hair that I spend good money on to maintain with color and cut, so to protect it I have found Redken Color Extend Sun spray. Warning, it's kinda greasy/oily. I spray it on my wet hair and pull it back into a ponytail. I would not use this at an event where I wanted my hair to look good. In that case, I would wear a cute hat! :) Out at the river or on the beach it's great, and helps keep my hair from getting tangled and dried out. I think it was around $15 when I bought last year. It is sold at salons and some drugstores.
HAPPY SUMMER GALS! Hope you enjoyed my long winded post! Let me know if you have any fav products or if there are any you want me to research and try out!
My favorite body product is Banana Boat Sport SPF 30. It does need reapplying throughout the day, but it's light, absorbs well, and works well!
I used to love the spray sunscreen. And I still do to an extent, especially when out on the beach and in need of a even re-application. However, never never spray this stuff in your house/bathroom. It takes major elbow grease to get it out of the tub and off the tiles. We also found out that it stains our boat seats. Big time. Which probably means it stains your car leather, chairs, etc. So we've switched back to lotion in our house. (If you want to know though, the best spray as far as application and staying power is BananaBoat. By FAR. Coppertone is terrible, I don't recommend).
Allure has a list of it's editor's fav products for the face HERE. Be on the lookout for Sephora's sample sunscreen sale. It usually happens around May, and you get a cute bag stuffed with samples to try for about $20 if I remember correctly. It's great because you can try different samples, and the little containers fit in your purse or beach bag perfectly! But why buy little samples? That's my next point:
6. THROW AWAY SUNSCREEN FROM LAST YEAR
Sunscreen expires. Within a year of purchase usually. If it is expired, it will not work. So while that giant container of sunscreen may seem like the best value dollar-wise, it isn't if you don't plan to use it and throw away almost all of it the following summer. I have found it's best to just buy the normal size tubes, use it, and buy more. Just don't use old stuff, mmmkay??
7. Anything else?
Don't forget your hair and lips. I am a chapstick addict (I honestly cannot make it through even half a day without it). I also have light hair that I spend good money on to maintain with color and cut, so to protect it I have found Redken Color Extend Sun spray. Warning, it's kinda greasy/oily. I spray it on my wet hair and pull it back into a ponytail. I would not use this at an event where I wanted my hair to look good. In that case, I would wear a cute hat! :) Out at the river or on the beach it's great, and helps keep my hair from getting tangled and dried out. I think it was around $15 when I bought last year. It is sold at salons and some drugstores.
HAPPY SUMMER GALS! Hope you enjoyed my long winded post! Let me know if you have any fav products or if there are any you want me to research and try out!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)