What You’ll Need for Sun Safety 6/26/08

By: Kim Myers
For the past few weeks, Sephora offered a kit containing several brands of travel/trial sized products that were completely devoted to sun safety. As a matter of fact, 100% of the net profits made from the purchase of the kits benefited The Skin Cancer Foundation. The kit cannot be purchased any longer at this time, but I’m going to provide you with some of the items sold that should be your must-haves for the summer if you intend to be outside or even driving because the sun is always there no matter if it is cloudy or not.
Here is a list of the following items:
1. Murad Firming Bronzer SPF 15 for face and body. Murad is famous for its age-proof skincare. This bronzer can be removed with soap and water. It provides a luminous healthy glow.
2. Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream with SPF 55 for face. This sunscreen provides a higher level of protection from the sun and is extremely water resistant. It is still advised to reapply after being in the sun for up to 80 minutes.
3. Clarins Sun Wrinkle Control Cream Ultra Protection SPF 30 for sun-sensitive skin. Clarins has always provided plant- derived products for the skin and is well known for its sun protection products.
4. Doctors Dermatologic Formula (DDF) Daily Protective Moisturizer SPF 15. This product is fragrance-free and glides on the skin smoothly which is perfect to go underneath foundation.
5. Cosmedicine Medi-Matte Oil Control Lotion Skin Protectant Sunscreen SPF 20. This is great for those with oily prone skin and wearers should especially focus on the t-zone, forehead, and chin.
6. Korres Sunscreen Face Cream Watermelon Sun Protection SPF 30. Korres has brought to the front some of my favorite products. Korres products are made in Greece and this one is especially luscious with its light watermelon scent.
7. Peter Thomas Roth Max Sheer All Day Moisture Defense Lotion with SPF 30. This is also fragrance-free and contains ceramides, gingko biloba, anti-oxidants, vitamins A and E, and Parsol 1789, which is becoming quite popular in newer sunscreens of the day. The lotion is sheer and light, yet it still provides plenty of moisture for the face.
8. Smashbox Photo Finish UVA/UVB SPF 15 Foundation Primer. This is another likable one. I used to wear the regular foundation primer and I’m so glad they finally came out with one containing a sunscreen. Of course a foundation primer acts mainly to allow for smoother application of foundation/base. I would still wear a sunscreen or a moisturizer containing sunscreen in addition to this product.
9. Juice Beauty Green Apple Moisturizer SPF 15 revitalizing sunscreen with brightening and refining hydroxy acids. This one smells so yummy and with the skin brightening effects, you can’t go wrong.
10. mdskincare by Dr. Dennis Gross Powerful Sun Protection SPF 30 Sunscreen Packettes. These little babies are great for putting in your purse or beach bag and applying on-the-go. There are different levels of protection such as SPF 45 Cream, SPF 30 Lotion, SPF 30 Packettes, SPF 30 portable lotion, and SPF 25 Lip Balm.
11. Tarte 24-7 Lip Sheer in "Thursday", a sheer rose, SPF 15. These are vitamin E enhanced sheer lip tints that come in 9 different shades.

Always keep in mind:
Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes prior to going out in the sun.
Wear a wide brimmed hat and UV blocking sunglasses.
Reapply sunscreen at least every 2 hours or more if you’re in constant contact with water and always apply enough which is approximately 2 tablespoons or more to all areas that will be exposed. (I even advise to apply on areas not exposed such as if you have your back or behind covered, still apply there. It can’t hurt.)

Just remember, sunscreen is to be applied externally. And if you want to play it even safer, try staying in the shade.
All products can be purchased at sephora.com and/or department stores.