Summer is Right Around the Corner
Summer is on and so is the heat. Once again the summer months are creeping up on us, in fact the official first day of summer is June 21st making it the longest day of the year for those of us in the northern hemisphere.
Along with the beauty of summer comes those nasty sunburns (ouch!) and the need to care for our skin like never before, and that means sunscreen. While I rely on the experts for their advice, I have my own formulas which have worked for me for years that I will share with you.
According to SHAPE Beauty Lab, sunscreen rules haven’t changed for decades—that is, wear a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher and reapply it every two hours that you’re exposed to the sun. Oh, and don’t forget, the rules apply even when it’s cloudy outside.
The options are numerous when it comes to sunscreens. Some of the best feature a wide range for all skin tones which make them feel invisible and smell fantastic. Ceramides and cherry acerola, a prebiotic, are quite appealing because they replace the moisture you lose from sweating and balance the softness of your skin. Mineral based sunscreens are another hit, especially if they comprise physical blockers such as zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. These offer great protection against UVA and UVB rays.
I’m sure you remember using zinc oxide when we were younger. We would apply it to our nose and look like some alien-being. But it worked and thank goodness we did use it for protection.
Another favorite is ISDIN Eryfotona Ageless which protects us from the blue light our devices emit and contains DNA repair enzymes which help fix sun damaged skin cells. It’s a light-weight fluid that blends easily and can serve as a base makeup foundation.
For acne prone skin, there’s Hero Cosmetics Force Shield Superlight SPF 30 a mint-colored lotion that sinks into the skin and balances redness.
However, it must be noted no sunscreen provides 100% protection; they do allow for a substantial safeguard if you’re out in the sun for short periods of time. You should definitely apply it liberally to your exposed skin, and especially to those little grandchildren who love the beach, pool and sunbathing. Just remember, the majority of our skin damage came from when we were younger.
UVA rays can penetrate your skin more deeply and cause your skin cells to age prematurely, causing your skin to darken and to become less elastic. The reason, they attack and degrade the collagen layer below your skin. About 95 percent of the UV rays that reach the ground are UVA rays. The other 5 percent of UV rays are UVB. They have higher energy levels than UVA, and typically damage the outermost layers of your skin first, causing sunburn. They can wreak havoc on the top layers causing DNA mutations that can eventually lead to melanoma and other types of skin cancer.
Here are several of the highly recommended sunscreens from noted dermatologists:
- Mesoestetic Mesoprotech Melan 130+ pigment control
- Uriage Bariesun XPCreme SPF 50+
- Riemann P20 Suncare for Kids SPF 50+
- Bioderma Photoderm Sensitive Extreme Milk SPF 50+
- Kinship Self Reflect Sport SPF 60
My favorites are:
- Neutrogena Age Shield Face Oil-Free SPF 100.
- Coppertone Sport SPF 50 for the body. I love the smell of it because it reminds me of summers at the beach or by a lake or stream.
- My face makeup has an SPF of 50 and I use it for sunscreen but also the color correction plus the hydrating and anti-aging concealer.
As stellar as these sunscreens are, they’re only one line of defense against harmful UV rays. Be sure to layer a vitamin C serum underneath your sunscreen to neutralize the oxidative stress from UV radiation and inhibit melanin production. The best on the market is Glytone Age Defying Vitamin C that is fragrance free and won’t cause your skin to break out.
Vacation Chardonnay Oil SPF 30 is especially nice and easy to glide on. It is a safe, modern version of the tanning oils we loved in our youth. It gives skin tones a transparent, subtle sheen and it smells of coconut and jumping into the pool.
Further protection includes a good pair of sunglasses, a wide brim hat, and sunscreen spread from head to toe. One point worth mentioning, if your BoomerGuy or BoomerFriend has thinning hair on top, it’s not only a good idea to use a little sunscreen but also to wear a cap or hat.
Every store out there has loads of sunscreen, so there is absolutely no reason not to buy it and slather your body for summer. Don’t just buy it, use it.
Let’s enjoy summer to the fullest!!! Your BoomerGal.
Editorial contribution by:
Dotdash Meredith Premium Publishing, SHAPE, “The Science of Skin,”
Whitney Bowe, M.D., Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin, M.D.,
and Elizabeth K. Hale, M.D.
Wikipedia
DISCLAIMER—As always, I attempt to thoroughly research the topics for my blog. I am not a physician nor trained dermatologic professional. The comments in this blog are not an endorsement for any particular product or procedure, except for those I have used on my own skin. You should consult with your doctor for any specific needs you might have relative to the effects of sunscreen and the protections they provide. I wish to thank Dotdash Meredith Premium Publishing and Wikipedia for their editorial substance.