It’s time to start thinking of sunscreen again! I know some parts of the country are already getting hot and soon it will be warm everywhere. So you better start protecting your skin (if you aren’t already)!
Hawaiian Tropic is a good company to get your sun care from because they are established, their products are affordable and smell really great, too! An effective way to get coverage is with the new SPF 50 Sheer Touch Crème Lotion ($9.69 USD). This cream is rich but non greasy, and after I applied it, my six-year-old came in and said, “Mmm, I smell coconuts”! And indeed, she did — the new and improved signature tropical coconut scent is pretty fantastic!
Hawaiian Tropic’s formulas include a patented SunSure® Technology that is tested in the natural sunlight, have less chemicals in the sunscreens and contain advanced UVA Protection. They are also oil-free and water-resistant.
A couple of other new Hawaiian Tropic products I like are the SPF 10 Tanning Crème Lotion ($9.99 USD)which contain formulas enriched with skin-nourishing antioxidants and moderate levels of SPF to keep your skin moisturized, soft and glowing while obtaining a little color and the Mango After Sun Crème Lotion ($9.99 USD) which is infused with nourishing ingredients such as Aloe Vera and Cocoa, Shea and Mango butters, this moisturizer is great for everyday use! Plus the Island Mango scent is very summer-y.
To purchase these products visit a drugstore nationwide or go to www.hawaiiantropic.com.
Looking for anti-aging products that are gentle on the skin? Try CosMedix. These skin care products claim to to be the answer to a healthy complexion without irritation. I have been testing the following products for the last few weeks and I have to say that I like the youthful glow that my skin now has. They products I have tried are:
Purity Clean Exfoliating Cleanser ($34.00 USD) — This exfoliating cleanser has peppermint essential oil to cool the skin and stimulate circulation. The claims are that it, “penetrates deep, eliminating cellular debris, decongesting pores and hydrating, to keep normal to oily skin healthy and glowing.” This does make my skin tingle, but it irritates my eyes so I keep it away from the eye area. I feel that it cleans without drying my skin out and my acne has been clearing up, which is great! This product can also be left on the face for 1-3 minutes and used as a mask.
Radiance Skin Management Serum ($92.00 USD) — This serum claims to “shield against harmful free radicals and glycation aging (hardening of the skin) while stimulating collagen to rejuvenate damaged, aging skin.” It contains antioxidants like spin trap and blueberry extract. I notice that after I use it my skin glows. Make sure that you do put on a moisturizer with sunscreen while using this product as it makes the skin sensitive to the sun.
Reflect SPF 30 Natural Sunscreen ($44.00 USD) — This is the first titanium, non-chemical, spray-on sunscreen on the market. It offers broad spectrum SPF 30 protection in a non-irritating, oil-free formula. This is a great everyday sunscreen because it goes on dry and is absolutely not greasy. Yay! It is not waterproof, so I wouldn’t use this at the pool. I use it doing everyday activities because you never know when you will be exposed to the sun.
Visit www.cosmedix.com to learn more and to purchase these products.
Looking for a quality sunscreen that isn’t greasy and doesn’t leave a white residue on your face? Arcona’s Reozone 40 ($28.00) could be the one for you! This unusual sunscreen is tinted and moisturizes the skin as well as protects it.
Reozone 40 includes Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide — both have powerful UVA/UVB protection. It also includes Sodium Hyluronate to moisturize and Sodium Selenite which offers natural anti-aging benefits. It does not contain petrochemicals, binders or fillers, chemical stabilizers, parabens, sodium lauryl sulphates, perfumes, dyes or any other caustic ingredients.
I apply this over my moisturizer and under my makeup, but it can be worn as moisturizer. The tint is very sheer and could work for most skin tones. It doesn’t cover like foundation but it does seem to even out my skin tone.
You can purchase this product at beauty.com
***Now fun news! I am giving away one of these wonderful sunscreens to a lucky reader! To win it leave a comment on my blog letting me know that you would like the Reozone 40. I will draw a name and notify the winner on Friday August 14, 2009. Good luck!
Looking for a great day moisturizer? How about an effective sunscreen? An anti-aging wrinkle cream? Does your skin need a little glow? Yes? Me too!
Borba Advanced Aging Deep Wrinkle Repair SPF 45 ($55.00) will bring you all of these. Skeptical? I was too until I tried this great product. The Borba website describes it as, ” light day moisturizer with an SPF 45 and an amazing dry touch feel that will leave skin supremely moisturized, not white or ashy like other SPF facial moisturizers. This powerful crème reverses the most extreme signs of aging, addressing deep wrinkles, exacerbated loss of firmness, loss of radiance, severe dryness and sun damage.”
This product includes an advanced multi-layer liquid Crystal System that boost skin’s ability to hold and retain moisture immediately and over time. Sepilift DPHP and Elastin Fiber stimulate natural anti-aging defenses in dermal layers and counteract skin-aging enzymes for a younger, more toned appearance. It also includes broad spectrum SPF 45 UVA, UVB and UVC sunscreens. Argan oil, glycerin and kojic acid are also included to hydrate and even out skin tone.
This cream is white when you first apply it, but blends into skin beautifully. It its silky, not greasy and absorbs quickly for makeup application. I find that it does even out my skin tone and gives me a little glow. And it even smells nice!
I love not having to wear moisturizer, plus wrinkle cream, plus sunscreen. Having it all in one product is great for the summer because it doesn’t weigh down your skin or make it greasy.
Visit www.borba.com to learn more about this fantastic product and where to purchase.
La Fresh and its products are created to meet various needs of those who travel frequently or always on the go. Their Travel Wipes — products such as insect repellent, sunscreen, makeup removers and anti-bacterial wipes — are airport security friendly, adhering to the strict guideline regulated by TSA*.
Each product comes in a compact and sanitary single-use package. All La Fresh towelette materials are made with biodegradable cloths and natural ingredients are used whenever possible.
The latest addition to the Travel Wipes are All Natural Biodegradable Insect Repellent Towelettes ($3.99 for 6). The first thing you notice when you open one of these packets up is the fresh mint scent. It is strong, but much more pleasant than normal insect repellents. The wipes contain all natural peppermint oil, sesame oil, olive oil, castor oil,, wheat germ oil and vitamin E.
Even more pleasant than the scent, is that the product is 100% Deet-free and is still very effective. My family and I all rubbed this on the evening of the 4th of July when we did our fireworks and no one got bit (there are a lot of bugs where we live).
I also recommend the La Fresh Sunscreen towelettes SPF30 ($3.99 for 4) for a summer trip. They are pre-moistened biodegradable cloths that one applies on the skin for protection from sun damage. These have a mild sunscreen scent to them and the lotion absorbs into the skin quickly.
Visit the website at www.lafreshgroup.com to learn more about these products as well as the other great Travel Wipes that they carry.
Soleo Organics All Natural Sunscreen ($19.99 2.8 oz and $13.99 1.4 oz) is a healthy alternative to the many sunscreens that rely on chemicals to sheild from the damaging rays of the sun.
The active ingredient is 22.3% Zinc Oxide and and also contains grape seed, sunflower, vegetable, macadamia and safflower oils, beeswax and green tea. These moisturizing ingredients condition while protecting your skin. What it doesn’t include is chemical UV absorbers, titanium dioxide or synthetic preservatives.
I really like that this is formulated for all skin types (including sensitive skin) and is safe enough for kids. It is water resistant and has an SPF of 30.
The trick to avoid the telltale white residue is by first squeezing the tube so that the ingredients mix. You then rub it on until the white disappears.
So if you are looking for an effective “green” sunscreen, try Soleo. Check out the website at www.soleousa.com
Kate’s Somerville’s luxury skincare line carries wonderful products to get you through the summer. Both the serum sunscreen and the tanning towelettes reviewed below are made with the same care and quality of Kate’s other skincare items.
Protect SPF 55 Serum Sunscreen ($45.00 2 oz) — “This mild, antioxidant-rich sunscreen is free of oils, parabens and alcohol. This formula was made with innovative technology which gives high-level protection against skin-burning UVB radiation and aging UVA rays. This serum is mild, quick-drying and non-whitening. AM Apply daily to face, neck, and chest. Apply liberally 20 minutes before sun exposure and as needed. Reapply after swimming or exposure to water.”
When you first apply this sunscreen it is white, but when you rub it in the white disappears completely, unlike other high SPF sunscreens. It is really creamy, so you can skip your moisturizer if you wish, especially if you have oily or combination skin.
Each Somer360°™ Tanning Towelette ($48.00 for 8) is” concentrated with a paraben-free self-tanning formula to give you a quick and even application with no streaking. Somer360°™ Unfold towelette and apply to dry, clean skin in a circular motion over your body. Wash hands immediately. Towelettes will produce a uniform, natural-looking glow within 2 to 4 hours. For a deeper tan and to maintain your glow, reapply as needed.”
Self tanning is always tricky, especially if you are my 13 year old daughter and you think you can throw your clothes on after tanning and act all crazy! She tried a tanning towelette and it did streak on her.
But not on me. I made sure I exfoliated first, then put on my swimsuit and applied a towelette all over. I let myself dry for a couple of hours before I put my clothes on. It does take a while to dry, but the color is a very lovely light brown. If you do it right, it is worth the wait!
A reliable household name, Coppertone has a very large variety of sunscreen to meet your every need this summer. Their wide range of products include sunscreen for babies and children, anti-aging sunscreen, sports protection and more.
Here are a few of my favorites, which all are an SPF of 70, the highest Coppertone SPF ever:
Coppertone NutraShield Faces SPF 70+ with Dual Defense ($10.99 USD) — is moisturizing with a non-greasy formula that won’t clog your pores. This sunscreen was formulated for women and helps prevent premature skin aging caused by the sun. It is enriched with antioxidants to promote natural skin repair. And for us ladies who like to swim, it is waterproof. This also comes in a version for the rest of the body. I recommend this for women of any age!
Coppertone KIDS Continuous Spray SPF 70+ ($9.99 USD) — This waterproof and hypoallergenic sunscreen is dermatologist tested and is great for the kids. It has a twist-and-lock cap which means no cap to lose and it sprays at any angle.
Coppertone ultraGUARD Sunscreen SPF 70+ ($10.99 USD) — With a moisturizing formula that contains Viamin E, this sunscreen is also hypoallergenic and dermatologist tested. It goes on non-greasy and is waterproof. This is a great one for the whole family.
Check out Coppertone’s website for their full line of products at www.coppertone.com. Stay safe this Memorial Day and all summer long!
Are you at that age (25-35) where you can see that your skin is beginning to grow up? You don’t quite have as many breakouts and you seem to need a little more moisture? Biore has created the perfect line for you! The Biore Skin Preservation Collection is for transitional skin and helps by improving dryness, texture and tone and preserves skin’s youth, strength and radiance.
Each product in the collection is oil-free, dermatologist tested, hypo-allergenic and non-comedogenic. The line contains Botanamide Technology which combines botanical antioxidants and ceramide based technology to preserve the youth of skin.
Here is a breakdown of the products included with descriptions from the website:
Clean Things Up Nourishing Gel Cleanser ($6.99 USD) – Collapsible vitamin E beads are part of the special formula that lifts and removes impurities, including the most stubborn make-up.
Even Smoother Microderm Exfoliator ($14.99 USD) – features the same ultrafine alumina crystals that are used in microdermabrasion, a process aestheticians use to help skin look radiant and smooth. Skin-conditioning Shea Butter and calming White Tea Extract are on hand to help soothe skin, with the result that it feels beautiful – not irritated.
Dual Fusion Moisturizer + SPF 30 ($14.99 USD ) — By keeping the moisturizer separate from sunscreen, the unique Dual Fusion™ moisturizer dispenser preserves the power of each formula. That means maximum effectiveness and protection for you. The sunscreen has a powerful zinc oxide base – and yet isn’t heavy and white like traditional zinc oxide. The product feels light on your skin as it offers superb UVA and UVB protection.
Hard Day’s Night Overnight Moisturizer ($14.99 USD) — This super-hydrating moisturizer gets part of its power from tiny collapsible beads filled with Vitamin E. The formula helps to strengthen the skin’s surface and smooth fine lines.
See the Future Fortifying Eye Cream ($14.99 USD) – The unique pin point dispenser precisely delivers the benefits of Botanamide™ Technology to the delicate eye area. It’s the ideal formula for women who aren’t yet ready for heavy-duty eye products. Safe for contact lens wearers.
Even though I am forty, I really enjoyed theses products. They feel great on and smell very fresh and not overpowering. The cleanser feels cool on my skin and really cleans without drying my face. The eye cream is very soft and lovely, and feels great on my eyes.
My favorite product would have to be the Dual Fusion Moisturizer + SPF 30. The top is a wide pump that has moisturizer in one side and sunscreen on the other. It took a little bit to get both products to dispense. My trick was to set in a bowl of warm water. I really love this because even though it has an SPF 30 — which is pretty high for moisturizer — it goes on smooth and creamy, and doesn’t sit on my face in a white mess! Very good quality for the price.
You can visit the Biore website at www.biore.com to learn more about the line, and check your local drugstore to purchase.
Colorescience is known for “blending the line between colore and science”. They have some pretty amazing face products and sunscreen.
Colorescience Sunforgettable ($50.00 USD for the brush applicator) – is a mineral powder 30 SPF sunscreen with broad spectrum (UVA and UVB) protection. It comes in four different applicators; a brush, a roll-on a shaker can and a puff. You can purchase it in three shades; All Clear (transparent), Perfectly Clear (a light shade) and Almost Clear (a medium shade) and you can get matte or sparkle. This is a very innovative sunscreen. They suggest you apply it over your moisturizer, but I have been using the matte Almost Clear as a setting powder over my foundation and/or Line Tamer primer. It is very light (must be the minerals) and does not clog my pores.
Colorescience Line Tamer ($45.00 USD) — is one of the best primers I have tried. The website states (and I enthusiastically agree), “This beautiful yellow mousse smooths on like velvet and sets to absolute perfection. The yellow colore hides red discoloration while the active ingredients promote the actual reduction of redness in the skin.” This not only hides my redness, it smooths over my pores perfectly! I find that when I use it I don’t need a lot of foundation. I just use a little to cover my dark circles and blemishes. The ingredients include Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, oats and oat beta glucan to reduce the appearance of redness, blue algae extract feeds and tightens the skin, beta carotene and vitamin E to nourish the skin plus an antioxidant cocktail of green tea, lavender and tangerine.
Visit the website at www.colorescience.com, to check out these items as well as their fab mineral foundations, bronzers and other great products!
Hey All! Enter my 100th Blog Post Giveaways! I will be giving away products from It Cosmetics, Yes to Carrots and EcoTools! To enter, just leave a comment on ANY of my posts between 4/26 – 5/2. I will draw 3 names on Sunday 5/3/09 and notify the winners! To see exactly what I am giving away, check out my post http://tinyurl.com/dgnxda. Good Luck!
Forty, Flirty & Fabulous 