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Practice safe sun
Even with this research, it’s not okay to skip sun protection. Instead, consider sunblock (also called physical sunscreen), which may be a safer option. It acts like a wall between sun and skin using ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Both are 100% natural minerals, ground into very fine powder that blocks, reflects and scatters both UVA and UVB rays by forming a physical barrier on the skin’s surface. They work differently than chemical sunscreens, which absorb UV rays.
Physical suncreens can be found in products such as: Burt Bee’s Chemical Free Sunscreen SPF15; Aveda Dual Nature Face Protection SPF15; Badger SPF30 Sunscreen, Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Sunblock SPF30, and are also in Alba Botanica Sun Fragrance-Free Sunscreen.
If your skin is sensitive, consider using a children’s sunscreen formula. It’s great for grown-ups, too, because it won’t sting your eyes and it’s hypoallergenic. Try Coppertone’s new Kids QuickCover Lotion Spray SPF50.
When it comes to sun protection factor or SPF, the Canadian Dermatology Association recommends a minimum of SPF15, but some dermatologists are suggesting a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 is better. Why? When we put on sunscreen, the majority of us do not apply enough so we aren’t getting its full protective benefits. It also has slightly more protection than SPF15 (but not double, as one might think). To make up for our not-so-stellar application, switch to a formula with a higher SPF.
Apply sunscreen before heading outside and reapply every 80 minutes – even if the sunscreen is waterproof and sweatproof.
Post-sun, skin might feel dry and tight. Restore some of the body’s lost moisture to feel comfortable again. Try these organic, natural products: REN Moroccan Rose Otto Ultra-Nourishing Body Oil, or Dr. Hauschka’s After Sun Lotion, or Kiss My Face After Sun Aloe Soother.
Ouch! If your time outdoors left you with a nasty sunburn, take a cool bath or shower to ease discomfort. For a bath, add 120 mL (1/2 cup) of cornstarch, oatmeal or baking soda to soothe the skin. Apply an aloe vera lotion or witch hazel several times a day and cool the burn with cold compresses. Do not use petroleum jelly, butter or other home remedies.
They can prevent or delay healing.
Self-tanning strategies
The ultimate bronzed skin comes from products that create a fake bake, that tanned skin look without the sun. The Canadian Cancer Society has deemed these to be safe since they use temporary dyes absorbed only by the uppermost layers of the skin. The colour fades in time as your skin naturally sheds dead skin cells. Unless you reapply a self-tanning product, your faux tan will be gone in about four to five days. The active ingredient is dihydroxyacetone, or DHA. It’s a colourless sugar that reacts with the top layers of the skin and causes colour to develop. |
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The new breed of self-tanners is easier to apply and also offer faster results. Try Neutrogena Build-A-Tan Gradual Sunless Tanning for the Face, SPF15; or Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel. You’ll still need to wear sunscreen unless the product specifies it also has sunscreen. Boost the longevity of your fake tan by exfoliating your skin in the shower before you apply a self-tanner. Forget lotions that promise to accelerate tanning. There’s no scientific evidence to back up their claims.
Keep moisturizing
When summer temperatures are balmy and warm, do you need to wear moisturizer since your natural oils are doing the trick? Well, don’t pack them away with your winter coat. You’ll still need one for your face. Moisturizer is important in the regulation of oil production, and helps balance your skin’s moisture levels. The key is to lighten up. If you used a cream in the winter, switch to a lotion. If you were a lotion user, opt for an oil-free version for the summer. The top picks include: Eminence Sugar Plum Oil-free Revitalizer, Eminence Stone Crop Hydrating Gel, NeoStrata Oil-free Lotion SPF15 (also fragrance free), and Clinique Super City Block Oil-free Daily Protector SPF40. Choose a moisturizer that incorporates sunscreen to save a step in your skin care regime and get you out the door faster. Applying a single product will feel better on your skin than two, which could feel too heavy in the summer.
Make it fragrance-free
Have you ever had hives or itchy, red skin after being in the sun? The blame may go to the fragrance. It can cause allergic contact dermatitis with sun exposure. Don’t spritz on your favourite scent before you head outdoors. Choose products labeled as ‘fragrance free’ or ‘without perfume.’ Even ‘unscented’ products may contain fragrance in order to mask other chemical odours. You don’t have to skip fragrance altogether. Try using a scented powder like the talc-free Principessa Bianco Breeze Hair and Body Powder, which is also handy for absorbing excess oil in hair, making it look fresher and cleaner without shampooing.
Whether you’re hiking, swimming, or just sitting lakeside at the cottage, play it safe this summer and defend your skin from everything under the sun. H&L
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