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Sunscreen is our friend.
By Kelly Reising |
June 20, 2007
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Read more: mother magnetism, sunscreen, beauty advice, makeup
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ODE TO SUNSCREEN - My True Friend
Oh, Sunscreen! How I love you so!
You do so much for me that you will never know
How your SPF of at least 30 protects me from the UVA
And UVB rays
So that my skin won’t end up looking like a prune
With wrinkles and sunspots.
I'll tell my friends that I am in my 30s when I am really 65.
Because of you, dear sunscreen, I am line and crow’s feet free.
I don’t want to bring up the dreaded “C” word, but you help prevent Melanoma, too.
Oh sunscreen! How I really do adore you!
Don’t be offended that my kids don’t love you as much.
I know there is a lot of screaming and running around when I go to put you on them.
Do not be alarmed.
I catch them and slather them up anyway!
Luckily, you are a versatile friend, coming in many different forms.
A stick version goes smoothly on my baby's faces, and the spray kind is great for touchups after the pool.
I even rub you on my squirmy husband because men age from sun exposure, too
Even though it doesn’t matter so much on them - lucky SOB’s.
We have been together a long time, Sunscreen, my friend.
For awhile during my teenage years, I thought I didn’t need you.
I tried to get tan like all the other girls, but alas, my skin just turned red and burned.
So I grabbed a bottle of you and held on tight.
Now I use you every morning, and even sometimes at night! (Well, not really.)
So here’s to you my opaque little friend, my true friend in keeping me safe from the sun.
THE END!
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The Sunscreen Review—What I have used so far this summer
All right, summer technically doesn't start until tomorrow, but I pulled out the serious sunscreen way back in April. For most of the year I wear an SPF 15 in my daily moisturizer. Incidental sun exposure -- like the sun that shines on you when you are outside for three minutes putting your kids in the car -- does add up. Most dermatologists recommend an SPF 15 or even a 30 for everyday use. I live in a seasonal climate, so from April to October I bring out the big sunscreen guns. If you live somewhere sunny year round, like on the West coast, you are going to need to be more vigilant in applying a higher SPF daily. You will not catch me outside without at least an SPF 45 or more all over. You want to know why? There is a statistic that says that 80 % of aging in the skin is due to environmental factors. You can prevent a lot of it by simply using sunscreen! How easy and cool is that? So, where does the other 20% of aging come from? Genetics. You can’t do much about that, so you might as well pray at the Altar of the Sunscreen Gods because they can do a lot for you in the form of prevention. They say that most skin damage occurs during the childhood and teen years, but even if you are well into your 30s, 40s or 50s it’s never too late to start layering on the sunscreen. If you are one of those people who is still baking in the sun with nothing on your skin, or if you think that an SPF 8 is enough, think again, and start using one of these stellar sunblocking formulas that I recommend:
Aveeno - Continuous Protection Sun Care ($8.99-$10.99)
I have used the SPF 45 or 55 all over my body when I know I am going to be out for longer than 20 minutes. Otherwise I use the SPF 30 Face Lotion. I love this formula because it’s oil-free so it won’t clog my pores or cause my face to break out. Plus it’s non-greasy, and water resistant. Aveeno is the first brand to receive the American Academy of Dermatoglogy's Seal of Recognition, and furthermore, it’s endorsed by the Skin Cancer Foundation. You gotta love anything with someone’s big, fat "seal of approval" stamped right on it! They make a “Baby” formula as well that is fragrance free, and won’t sting the eyes if they happen to rub their hands in them, which all babies tend to do.
 KINeSYS - Performance Sunscreen ($9-$15)
This is one of my new favorites (www.kinesys.com), especially the formula that comes in the spray version. This “microspray” application is the best because it requires no rubbing and dries quickly. They also make a kid's version, too. It has a yummy tropical mango scent, so you feel like you are wearing baby oil as opposed to the usual white, chalky sunblock.
 Neutrogena - Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock ($9)
When this famous skincare company came out with this formula a couple of years ago, I jumped at the chance to try it. The bottle says that it has an “ultra light clean feel” and it truly does. I don’t know what they put in it to make it absorb so completely into the skin. Well actually, I do—it’s the amazing powder-like substance. It really dries to a soft satiny finish. Perfection in a sunscreen, if you ask me. It’s especially nice under makeup, and over my daily moisturizer.
Fab Facts About our Friend Sunscreen
1. You need a shot glass full to cover your entire body. A little dab will not do. You know what a shot glass looks like, right? I actually got a reminder last weekend when I was in Chicago and I knocked back a couple of shots of tequila. I toasted to my amazing friend, sunscreen! Purely for reseach purposes, mind you. I did ask the bartender exactly how many ounces would fit into a shot glass. Turns out it’s only an ounce of sunscreen! So check how many ounces are in your bottle of sunscreen. Do the math. If it holds eight ounces, that’s only eight full body applications for you.
2. Apply it BEFORE you go outside. This is very important. The sunscreen needs time to absorb into your skin. Try to put it on 15-30 minutes before heading out.
3. One application is not enough for the entire day. You need to REAPPLY every two hours or after swimming or even after excessive sweating. Gross I know, but even the water resistant kind wears off.
Final Word
I know all you folks out there who are sun worshippers with your golden tans are probably not liking my long sunscreen lecture. But seriously, the American Academy of Dermatology says that there is “no such thing as a safe tan.” That includes the evil rays of the tanning beds. Don’t go there. It’s not worth it. Cosmetics and skincare companies make such awesome sunless tanners and bronzers nowadays. These are definitely worth looking into as a way to get your faux tan fix. I know, I know, the tanning bed sometimes feels good, but don’t do it! Otherwise, if I see you at the pool or beach with no sunscreen on, I'm warning you now - I am coming after you with my spray bottle of sunscreen. It’s quick and I’m sneaky, and I will protect you my friend!
Have a question for Kelly? Send it to magnet@imperfectparent.com!
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 Kelly Reising is the Beauty Editor of Mode, a lifestyle magazine geared towards women in the direct sales industry. Her monthly column for HotMomsClub.com is called “The Beauty Bite” and you can seek out even more of her advice at Lifetips.com where she is an Expert Guru Author in Makeup. Her first book, Lifetips 101 Makeup Tips will be available on Amazon.com and at Barnes&Noble.com This former makeup artist and mother of two girls knows that while her day may not be perfect, at least her lip gloss will be. |
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