SUN GODDESS | Sun protection tips. 💛
- Caitlin Manley
- Aug 29, 2017
- 3 min read
Photo by Dominic Petruzzi
LA livin' is great; beaches, outdoor sports, endless summers, but all that sun exposure can take its toll. That's why sunscreen is a no brainer and a big change for me coming from cold dark New York City. I'm pretty sure my skin is doing well because I spent most of my life in the North East with little sun and little sun damage because of it.
Now that I've set up shop here I've had to seriously change my skin regimen. The dry sunny climate here calls for more moisturizing and daily sun protection. I've also started to think about paraben and phalatate free options for myself and the kids.
Parabens are a class of preservatives in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products and they may be carcinogenic. It's very hard to find a product that is totally and completely Paraben and phalatate free. If one type of paraben is taken out they'll use a derivative of it and rename it, tricky little sneaks!
Lots of beauty products contain phthalates, which are used to make a product's texture even by dissolving solid ingredients. An example is Skippy peanut butter vs Organic versions. Skippy has a nice creamy texture but uses chemicals to make it that way. Organic peanut butter is separated, with the oil on top but uses no chemical to mis the two.
Both are found all over the beauty industry as preservatives, emulsifiers, and as bacteria prevention. These chemicals were thought to be a good thing but have now been linked to a bunch of health issues including Cancer. The Food and Drug administration has shied away from regulating these chemicals in part because the studies seem to be funded by some of the same companies that make the chemicals.
"A 2004 paper led to discussion over possible carcinogenicity and estrogenic effects being expressed over the continued use of parabens as preservatives. The mainstream cosmetic industry believes that parabens, like most cosmetic ingredients, are safe based on their long-term use and safety record and recent scientific studies.
Public interest organizations which raise awareness about cosmetic ingredients believe that further research is necessary to determine the safety of parabens, under the precautionary principle.
The concerns about endocrine disruptors have led consumers and companies to search for paraben-free alternatives.
Grapefruit seed extract is promoted as a natural preservative, but in a study, five out of six commercial products tested were found to contain artificial preservatives such as methylparaben and benzethonium chloride.
A common alternative has been phenoxyethanol, but this has its own risks and has led to an FDA warning on inclusion in nipple creams." - Wiki
Anyways! Here are my favorite pics.
I love love love La Roche Posay, really everything they make is good. This brand produces a few of my top 5 skin care products. Their La Roche Posay Anthelios 60 Ultra Light Sunscreen Lotion Spray 5.0 oz is absolutely the best feeling "cleanest" body spray I've found that doesn't feel like I'm throwing my money in the trash. At a nice middle of the road price point of $35.99 I don't feel too guilty if I go through 1 can every two weeks and I know it's doing it's job.
La Roche Posay also makes an incredible face sunscreen, La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50 Tinted Mineral Ultra Light Sunscreen - 1.7 Fl Oz . This sunscreen is very moisturing but I have to say it does leave a whitish tint to my skin which I don't love but for beach days or outdoor days it's a must; for every day work I can't have that tint to my skin.
That leads me to another layer of sun protection; my Benefit, Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow SPF 25 Liquid Foundation in Champagne cheers to me. This foundation is so moisturizing and dewy. It leaves my skin so natural looking I can't speak more highly of it. I used to use Chanel foundation until they canceled my favorite line then switched to Benefit and have never looked back. So this would be my everyday work, meetings, and lunch SPF.
Anyways I apply this foundation to clean moisturized skin with my Chanel foundation brush. I apply it quite liberally since it's so natural looking and I'm trying to get some good SPF coverage.
So thats my arsenal against sun damage and premature aging! Hope it helps! Here is a list of other good, go to sprays that I use on me and my family if I don't have the others!
Love Alba Botanica Hawaiian Suncreen Spray SPF 50 $15.99