UVA & UVB Blockers
Since UVA rays (that cause wrinkling and skin cancer) penetrate clouds and windows, choose a sunscreen that includes a UVA blocker along with a UVB blocker (the rays that burn, damage and tan your skin). Recently, the FDA approved Mexoryl SX which is considered the best UVA blocker so far and it doesn’t degrade after prolonged sun exposure. It can shield against a larger portion of UVA spectrum than other blockers. Also, look for sunscreens labeled “Broad Spectrum Protection” which means it protects against both UVA and UVB rays. There are two types of sunscreen-physical or chemical. Chemical sunscreens absorb UVA before it can penetrate skin. Some good chemical blockers for UVA are: avobenzone, Parsol 1789, Mexoryl, oxybenzone. Physical sunscreens are better for sensitive skin but are heavier and can be chalky such as: titanium dioxide, zinc oxide. Since 89% of skin aging is due to exposure to UVA rays, be sure to wear a blocker every day, even when it’s cloudy.
If you do get Burned
Take aspirin to keep skin damage from inflammation to a minimum and ease the pain. Apple cider vinegar added to cool bath water also help take the heat out of a burn. Some of my friends and myself swear by applying Nivea Body Milk to a sunburn to take the redness and burn out faster and we used to buy it by the bagful when visiting Mexico since it's also a really nice light body moisturizer. I highly recommend Nivea creams-they have been around for decades and the most popular cream worldwide-and for good reason, it's excellent!
Showing posts with label Tanning and Sunscreens. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tanning and Sunscreens. Show all posts
Sunscreen Information
Avoid Tanning & Burns---
Avoid Wrinkles & Skin Damage
Use the highest SPF you can, at least 15 SPF but 30 or higher is better. Apply sunscreen at least 15 minutes before exposure to the sun so it can absorb into your skin properly. Reapply often and especially after swimming or sweating since no sunscreen is water ‘proof’-they are just water ‘resistant’. Most clothing fabric will allow the sun to penetrate through the fibers and expose skin to harmful rays. The denser and thicker the fabric, the better protection it gives. Some fabrics even have sun protection ratings for outdoor activities. When wearing sheer or lightweight fabrics, apply sunscreen on your skin as well. Check the fabric’s coverage by holding up to the sun or a light bulb and seeing how much light it lets pass through. Sunscreens with ingredients of titanium dioxide, zinc oxide or avobenzone are considered the best protection. Sesame oil is a natural sunscreen screening out as much as 30% of the sun’s rays-a good alternative if you have sensitivities to the chemical sunscreens. Most people can tolerate zinc oxide without sensitivity since it’s a natural mineral and not a chemical. Tanning beds emit mostly UVA light and is extremely damaging to skin cells and causes wrinkles, especially since the light is only inches away from your skin. The darker your skin, the more melanin you produce and the less susceptible you are to sunburns since melanin absorbs the sun’s UV rays. Darker skin does provide some protection from damage by the sun but dark skin is still at risk for all effects of sun damage--skin spots, freckling, burning, wrinkles, skin cancer. If you do get a sunburn, try soaking in a bath that has a large jar of Nestea added to lukewarm or cool water. My book has lots more tips and remedies for sunburns: Beauty and the Budget at VirtualBookWorm
Avoid Wrinkles & Skin Damage
Use the highest SPF you can, at least 15 SPF but 30 or higher is better. Apply sunscreen at least 15 minutes before exposure to the sun so it can absorb into your skin properly. Reapply often and especially after swimming or sweating since no sunscreen is water ‘proof’-they are just water ‘resistant’. Most clothing fabric will allow the sun to penetrate through the fibers and expose skin to harmful rays. The denser and thicker the fabric, the better protection it gives. Some fabrics even have sun protection ratings for outdoor activities. When wearing sheer or lightweight fabrics, apply sunscreen on your skin as well. Check the fabric’s coverage by holding up to the sun or a light bulb and seeing how much light it lets pass through. Sunscreens with ingredients of titanium dioxide, zinc oxide or avobenzone are considered the best protection. Sesame oil is a natural sunscreen screening out as much as 30% of the sun’s rays-a good alternative if you have sensitivities to the chemical sunscreens. Most people can tolerate zinc oxide without sensitivity since it’s a natural mineral and not a chemical. Tanning beds emit mostly UVA light and is extremely damaging to skin cells and causes wrinkles, especially since the light is only inches away from your skin. The darker your skin, the more melanin you produce and the less susceptible you are to sunburns since melanin absorbs the sun’s UV rays. Darker skin does provide some protection from damage by the sun but dark skin is still at risk for all effects of sun damage--skin spots, freckling, burning, wrinkles, skin cancer. If you do get a sunburn, try soaking in a bath that has a large jar of Nestea added to lukewarm or cool water. My book has lots more tips and remedies for sunburns: Beauty and the Budget at VirtualBookWorm
Damage from the Sun CAUTION!
It’s not just your face and body that suffers the ravages from the damaging rays of the sun. Lips are very sensitive and easily damaged. Wearing lipstick helps protect lip skin from damage and possible future skin cancer. The more opaque a lipstick is, the better protection it provides from ultraviolet rays. Women typically develop lip cancer less than men simply because they wear lipstick regularly. For sheer lipsticks and balms, make sure they contain a sunscreen of at least 15 SPF.
The sun damages eyes too. Eyes can’t shed layers and repair tissue the way skin does, so the damage accumulates, causing permanent vision problems. Be sure to wear sunglasses with lenses rated for 100% UVA and UVB protection that covers the entire eye area. The larger the glass frames the better, and wrap around styles give the best protection. Good sunglass coverage around your eyes also helps protect the most delicate skin you have-around your eyes. Celebrities don’t wear oversized sunglasses just for the style! You can purchase contact lenses that provide UV protection as well.
UVA rays can pass through glass so even sitting behind glass in your office or car will not protect you against damage from the sun. The rays that can get through glass may not burn you but in time will cause wrinkling. Take for example some curtains hanging in your window for years and how the fabric after a period of time begins to shred, but if that same fabric was not exposed to sunlight (even behind glass)it would retain its color with no damage to the fibers-the same is true for your skin. Tinted glass provides some protection but still doesn’t block out the rays completely and the percentage blocked depends on the type of tinting used. Even indoor fluorescent lighting can emit some UV rays. These UV rays also cause damage to hair, making it drier on the upper layers and fading color so don’t forget to protect your hair from rays as well. Even fingernails can suffer from the effects of the burning rays, with damage resulting in dry and brittle nails.
The sun damages eyes too. Eyes can’t shed layers and repair tissue the way skin does, so the damage accumulates, causing permanent vision problems. Be sure to wear sunglasses with lenses rated for 100% UVA and UVB protection that covers the entire eye area. The larger the glass frames the better, and wrap around styles give the best protection. Good sunglass coverage around your eyes also helps protect the most delicate skin you have-around your eyes. Celebrities don’t wear oversized sunglasses just for the style! You can purchase contact lenses that provide UV protection as well.
UVA rays can pass through glass so even sitting behind glass in your office or car will not protect you against damage from the sun. The rays that can get through glass may not burn you but in time will cause wrinkling. Take for example some curtains hanging in your window for years and how the fabric after a period of time begins to shred, but if that same fabric was not exposed to sunlight (even behind glass)it would retain its color with no damage to the fibers-the same is true for your skin. Tinted glass provides some protection but still doesn’t block out the rays completely and the percentage blocked depends on the type of tinting used. Even indoor fluorescent lighting can emit some UV rays. These UV rays also cause damage to hair, making it drier on the upper layers and fading color so don’t forget to protect your hair from rays as well. Even fingernails can suffer from the effects of the burning rays, with damage resulting in dry and brittle nails.
Self Tanners
Tanning Skin Color from Natural Products
Spread moist coffee grounds on your face for a natural looking tan, leave on for about 20 min. then rinse, tan should last for about 3 days.
Another solution for a natural looking color is to use pure cocoa. To some of your favorite white lotion add pure cocoa powder until you get the desired shade (color will appear much darker in the lotion than it does on your skin). This is good to use on your body as well since the cocoa has a tightening effect which is good for cellulite and your skin in general. Substituting loose bronzing makeup powder for the cocoa will also work. Be sure the lotion doesn't clump in any areas like knees and ankles.
A trick women in the 1940s and 50s used was Tincture of Iodine (a brownish orange antiseptic liquid found in the first aid section of stores). They added the desired amount of the Iodine to a bottle of baby oil and massaged it into their skin to get a suntan color. Do not use on the face if you have oily or acne prone skin as the baby oil (which is just mineral oil) can clog pores. You could also try adding the Iodine to an oil free lotion for your face instead of baby oil.
Camoflage Tan Lines from your Swimsuit Straps
Use some bronzing powder on a small eyeshadow brush and dust lightly along lines. For longer lasting coverage, paint the lines carefully with self tanning cream.
Spread moist coffee grounds on your face for a natural looking tan, leave on for about 20 min. then rinse, tan should last for about 3 days.
Another solution for a natural looking color is to use pure cocoa. To some of your favorite white lotion add pure cocoa powder until you get the desired shade (color will appear much darker in the lotion than it does on your skin). This is good to use on your body as well since the cocoa has a tightening effect which is good for cellulite and your skin in general. Substituting loose bronzing makeup powder for the cocoa will also work. Be sure the lotion doesn't clump in any areas like knees and ankles.
A trick women in the 1940s and 50s used was Tincture of Iodine (a brownish orange antiseptic liquid found in the first aid section of stores). They added the desired amount of the Iodine to a bottle of baby oil and massaged it into their skin to get a suntan color. Do not use on the face if you have oily or acne prone skin as the baby oil (which is just mineral oil) can clog pores. You could also try adding the Iodine to an oil free lotion for your face instead of baby oil.
Camoflage Tan Lines from your Swimsuit Straps
Use some bronzing powder on a small eyeshadow brush and dust lightly along lines. For longer lasting coverage, paint the lines carefully with self tanning cream.
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