Ok, Ladies, let's talk protecting our skin from the sun. In case you haven't heard yet, it's not fabulous anymore to exposure your skin to the sun without protection. Yes, when we are in our teens and 20s we want that pretty golden brown look, but when you reach your 30s and 40s you realize you were just borrowing against future beauty when the wrinkles and sun spots show up. It's also not fun to hold your breath before your dermatologist appointment to have a new mole checked for cancer - here's some not-so-fab, but necessary reading:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skin_neoplasm. You are fabulous the way you are - consider the front and center, fair-skinned beauties of the day like Angelina Jolie, Megan Fox, Nicole Kidman, Taylor Swift, etc, etc, etc. We can't all have the skin of Jennifer Lopez or Halle Berry so work and take care of what you got, and you will thank yourself later - promise.
So hopefully now you are convinced you need to protect your skin and looking for recommendations on what to use. I am fair skinned and about my late 20s wised-up that I should have sunscreen on my face every day to protect from UVA and UVB rays, but - my goodness! - the trouble I had trying to find something that was:
1) enough SPF - most experts now recommend to wear at least 30 spf, but most tinted moisturizers or foundations that I came across only have a spf of 15
and
2) something that didn't smell or feel like sunscreen. Traditional formulas have a scent I prefer not to smell on my face throughout the day and/or are sticky or greasy and, if not tinted to serve as makeup, do not mix well with foundation or other make-up for a smooth coverage
After years of trying several sunscreen products for my face, to get a spf of 30 I just accepted I would have to smell like I was pool side all day and take extra time in the morning to get the sunscreen to dry completely before I applied my make-up. That was until I found my next post to what is fabulous - Elta MD Skincare's UV Physical SPF 41 Tinted Sunscreen:
http://www.eltamd.com/ProductDetail.aspx?p=9.
I believe it was an aesthetician that recommended Elta to me. What is great about this product is first the spf of 41 - it's broadspectum, protecting against UVA and UVB rays, while being gentle for sensitive skin. Second, it doesn't smell or feel like sunscreen. It's fragrance and paraben-free plus noncomedogenic and oil-free for those of us (like myself) that fight the blemish battle. I have used this product every day for over a year now and love how smoothly and quickly it absorbs into my skin, with no dry time needed, and doesn't gunk up when I apply my tinted moisturizer over it for move coverage. Also, for days that I don't want the extra coverage of my tinted moisturizer (like the weekends) because UV Physical is tinted, I just wear it.
Unfortunately, Elta products are currently not sold at department or well-known cosmetic stores like Ulta or Sephora. Elta's site, though, provides a guide by location where they are available (
http://www.eltamd.com/Locator.aspx), and I find it easy to order online through amazon.com, lovelyskin.com or dermstore.com. Use froogle.com or Google shopping to find the best price (usually around $20 - which makes it a fabulous, affordable buy). Added bonus, UV Physical also comes in a 3 oz bottle that will allow you to carry it onto planes.
Now go enjoy your fabulous summer with this fabulous product that will protect your skin and help you to look fabulous now and in your future years. Now how many products do you know that help with a fabulous future? :) Stay fab until we talk fab again.
