Penny's Not Done - More Sunscreen

 It's 9am....Do you know where you SUNSCREEN is? 

Okay folks! Its currently 91 degrees and sunny where I am now! Well, let's face it, most of us don't wear sunscreen daily or even think about it as we get dressed each day (unless we work outdoors). Penny admits that although I wear sunscreen on my face daily, and have for many years, I don't think about my body. I have worked in a corporate office for most of my career and I can easily go an entire day without being out in the sun for more than the time it takes to get to my car and commute to and from work. But I really want to change my habits and become more protective of my skin. It doesn't have to be complicated people. We develop bad habits in an instant...and keep them for half a lifetime. Why not develop some good ones? LOL!

If you dread an extra step to apply sunscreen in the morning (cause everyone knows we don't have a minute to spare!)...then purchase a body lotion "with" sun protection. The key is to look for 'broad spectrum' products; products that fight UVA and UVB rays. Here are a couple body lotions with SPF you muight want to try:

• Eucerin Extra Protection Moisturizing Body Lotion, SPF 15 ($9.99, 13.5oz Target)
• Yes to Carrots Hydrating Lotion with SPF 30 ($14, 4.2oz, Walmart)
• KIEHL'S Creme de Corps Light-Weight Body Lotion SPF 30 ($27, Bloomingdales)
• Lubriderm Advanced Therapy Moisturizer with Sunscreen SPF 30 ($6.99, ULTA) *

* Some may contain 'oxybenzone' which may cause allergic reactions amongst other things. See blog post from May 25th.

Here are some more commonly seen brands of sunscreen as well. I found that the list I gave you the other day had lots of brands I've never heard of that may be hard to find. So here are some that should be more recognizable.

• Aveeno Active Naturals Protection Mineral Block Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30 ($10, drugstore.com)
• Banana Boat Sport Performance Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30 ($10, Target)*
• NO-AD Ultra Sunblock Lotion, SPF 30 ($9, Kmart) *
• Walgreens Sport SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion ($2.99, Walgreens)*
  
  

* Some may contain 'oxybenzone' which may cause allergic reactions amongst other things. See blog post from May 25th.

Penny also recommends NOT using the same product that you use on your body, for your face. Especially if you have sensitive skin. Almost every brand mentioned in these blog posts has a formula specifically for the FACE. There are also formulas for babies and kids needs.  (read full story...)


A couple days ago I gave you some tips on the best sunscreens to use. Today I think I should emphasize WHY you should use them and share some common misconceptions about sun protection.

 The Skin Cancer Foundation has a pretty good article explaining sunscreens and how they should be used. Here are some excerpts from their website that I wanted to share:

Who should use sunscreen?

Anyone over the age of six months should use a sunscreen daily. Even those who work inside are exposed to ultraviolet radiation for brief periods throughout the day. Also, UVA is not blocked by most windows.
Children under the age of six months should not be exposed to the sun. Shade and protective clothing are the best ways to protect infants from the sun.

Common MYTHS:

Eighty percent of your sun exposure comes as a child, so it's too late to do anything now.

It appears that this universally promoted idea was based largely on a misinterpretation. A recent multi-center study showed that we get less than 25 percent of our total sun exposure by age 18. In fact, it is men over the age of 40 who spend the most time outdoors, and get the highest annual doses of UV rays. And since adult Americans are living longer and spending more leisure time outdoors, preventing ongoing skin damage will continue to be an important part of a healthy lifestyle.

If it's cold or cloudy outside, you don't need sunscreen.

This is not true. Up to 40 percent of the sun's ultraviolet radiation reaches the earth on a completely cloudy day. This misperception often leads to the most serious sunburns, because people spend all day outdoors with no protection from the sun.

Wearing sunscreen can cause vitamin D deficiency.

There is some controversy regarding this issue, but few dermatologists believe (and no studies have shown) that sunscreens cause vitamin D deficiency. Also, vitamin D is available in dietary supplements and foods such as salmon and eggs, as well as enriched milk and orange juice.

Excerpts from:

http://www.skincancer.org/sunscreens-explained.html

 

Try to look for the The Skin Cancer Foundation's Seal of Recommendation. Their list of products is much more extensive than the one in my post from May 25th. They don't seem to be as concerned about "oxybenzone" as others. They just want folks to understand the importance of protecting themselves from UVA and UVB rays daily.

The moral of Penny's Skin is In story? Find a sunscreen that works for you (and your family members) and make it a habit to put it on regularly. And remember to reapply. Skin cancers (like melanoma) are very real. So are age spots, melasma, and other skin disorders caused by over exposure to the sun's powerful rays.

 

Be blessed. Be beautiful.
Penny