We are firm believers in sun protection. Once upon a time, we sat outside dipped in baby oil and tried to use tinfoil to get a tan. We were, we believe, ten years old. We also thought that using Sun In on our very, very brown hair (with red undertones) was a good idea. We loved New Kids on the Block. We did not have the best judgment in really, any regard.
Since then, we've gotten a bit wiser about our sun exposure. We've been to the beach more times than we can even try to count, and we always start the day off with a good dose of sunscreen. Follow up throughout the day? Risk a breakout because of our face hating sunscreen? Eh, we're not so good at that.
We've decided this year, we're taking care of our skin better than ever before. We've vowed to put proper sunscreen on whenever we go outside for more than the walk from our car to our house/office/mall/etc. We're putting proper face sunscreen on, too – we're not relying on the piddly SPF in our moisturizer. Sure, being a bit slimy takes some getting used to, and there's no doubt that sunscreen is expensive, smells kind of gross and feels awful – but all of those are better than skin cancer.
It should go without saying that we don't understand/support tanning salons involving UV beds (spray tans, go for it). We have one Work Friend, and she tells us every other day about tanning the night before. We've mentioned the risks involved, and her response is that since her hair is bleached so light, she needs to have a dark tan to balance it out. We've tried to get the point across that she's going to have skin like a handbag before she hits 30, but she doesn't get it.
So, consider this your yearly sun PSA from BS HQ. We at BS wholly subscribe to taking care of your skin as best you can, as it's the only one you've got. We'll deal with the breakouts and the stickiness, and the pale white legs. We've even got a nice, big, floppy hat to rock this summer to help keep sun off our face, and we're wearing huge sunglasses every second to help fight wrinkles from squinting. We don't have a favorite sunscreen – we like Coppertone and Neutrogena and Aveeno. We are partial to the Age Shield faceblock from Neutrogena for above the neck – we wore it all day today, and it didn't run, turn us zinc-y white, or break us out.
Neutrogena Age Shield Face Sunblock, $11.99
-LB
Sunblock, where would I be without you? In a turtleneck sweater all summer, likely. I need to try that SPF 90, my current daily lotion is Banana Boat Faces, 30 SPF. Good stuff.
Years ago, I knew a woman, and one day I saw her after not having seen her in a while. . . and a piece of her nose had been removed. It put the fear the sungod into me. I’m still not as vigilant as I should be, but I wear spf on my face every day. And I’m not talking spf 6, no I go for the hard stuff.
When my mom had a few (ack!) cancerous spots removed from her face a few years ago, her dermatologist said that neutrogena is the best sunblock on the market – it blocks both UVA & UVB rays (most don’t block both). Not wanting to follow in my mom’s footsteps, I’m religious about it, even leaving some in the car to put on my left arm while I drive in the summer. I’m particularly fond of neutrogena’s ultra sheer dry touch – its not sticky after you put it on and it doesn’t have that sunscreeny smell.
not to knock sunblock, however, i think it’s important to address the chemical issues inherent in most sunblocks. here is a website that rates the health standards of sunblocks. it’s pretty interesting. i remember you talking about the powder(mineral) sunblock, and apparently it’s the best.
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/index.php?nothanks=1
I use sunblock, but I have awful tan lines because I work out in shorts and a tee shirt. Do you recommend any self-tanners for me to use?
I’m currently living in Asia, and here they sell this awesome sunscreen called “Sunplay.” It goes up to SPF 130, but the best part is the finish…it doesn’t feel like you are wearing anything at all! It comes out of the bottle a little watery feeling, but it goes on super light and refreshing. It is so light, I use it underneath my usual moisturizer and make-up. And no break-outs at all. There really is no sunblock in the US that even comes close to this!
Found it, just in case anyone is interested: http://web2.sasa.com/SasaWeb/eng/product/viewProductDetail.jspa?itemno=100539903001
I need to try that SPF 90, my current daily lotion is Banana Boat Faces, 30 SPF. Good stuff.