I’ve been focusing on sunscreen because it’s Skin Care Awareness month. Another factor to consider before you go out in the sun is that certain very common medicines and skin care products can increase your sensitivity to the sun and heighten your reaction to the sun. Prescription drugs, such as antibiotics or Accutane, over-the-counter pain relievers, herbal remedies such as St. John’s wort,  perfumes, exfoliating skin care products, and even some sunscreens can increase sensitivity to the sun. Pain aside, a bad sunburn or excessive sun exposure increases the risk of skin cancer. My SPF-40 Lotion Mist Sunblock is formulated to block UVA/UVB rays and is PABA-free with soothing aloe to reduce inflammation and is safe for children to use. Like all of our products, it is allergy-tested and fragrance free.

May is Melanoma Awareness Month. Skin cancer affects one in five Americans, and more than 1 million new cases are diagnosed each year. Of these cases, more than 65,000 are melanoma, a cancer that claims nearly 11,000 lives each year. Studies have confirmed that sun exposure is responsible for the development of at least two-thirds of all melanomas. To minimize your exposure to damaging rays:

• Avoid outdoor activities between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun’s rays are the strongest;
• Seek shade whenever possible;
• Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or higher;
• Wear sun-protective clothing and accessories, such as wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses; and
• Follow the “Shadow Rule” – if your shadow is shorter than you are, the sun’s damaging rays are at their strongest and you are likely to burn.

There are five more days left for our special Buy One, Get One Free offer on all of my SPF products, be sure to stock up and keep your skin safe this summer.

SPF is a measure of how long a person can stay in the sun without burning. An SPF 30 means thirty times longer than if you went out with nothing on. It’s important to keep in mind that all skin is different. A woman with very pale skin, of Irish heritage, for example, may last only a minute or two before her bare skin turns pink, so an SPF 30 would give her 30 minutes before she needed to reapply.

UVA and UVB: SPF measures a product’s ability to block UVB (burning) rays. A product’s power to shield against UVA (aging) rays is not currently labeled. UVA rays break down collagen and elastin fibers supporting skin. It doesn’t matter what your nationality is, if you don’t want wrinkles you need to guard against UVA light.

Sunscreen vs sunblock: Sunblocks are physical barriers; they sit on top of skin and reflect the rays off of it. The SPF-40 Lotion Mist Sunblock is a high power, lightweight mist that helps protect skin from harmful UVA/UVB rays. The mist helps prevent sun induced damage, as well as soothes the skin with aloe to reduce inflammation. Sunscreens are chemical UVA shields. They sink into tissue and when light hits them, they create a reaction that neutralizes the radiation. The Sunless Tanning Bronzer is a safe tanner with SPF-15 which offers a beautiful and natural-looking tan all year round. Not only does this bronzer give you amazing radiance, it is also rich in antioxidants and vitamins to leave your skin smooth and supple.