I have always been pretty religious about sun protection, mostly for vanity, but this year hit closer to home. My husband had basal cell skin cancer removed from his nose and skin grafted from behind his ear. It was not the deadly version of skin cancer, but the episode has made me even more vigilant about sun protection for the whole family. Here are a few tips and tricks when it comes to sunscreen—plus some exciting new products that I’m obsessed with, and old standbys that I use year round.
1. Layer: I layer my sunscreen products in the morning. After moisturizing, I apply a sunscreen on clean skin followed by BB cream with SPF and mineral powder (Jane Iredale Pure Pressed Base). Then I seal with a makeup setting spray like the new Coola Makeup Setting Spray that I carry with me all day. I never neglect my lips (Jane Iredale LipDrink SPF 15) or my hands (Clinique Even Better Dark Spot Correcting Hand Cream). I spread skin care onto my neck and décolleté as well. Top it off with a hat and polarized sunglasses and I’m ready for summer!
2. Reapply: For sunscreens to work as directed, you must reapply every 90 minutes or however long it recommends on your bottle. It is much easier to easier to do on the beach. But for city days, you can reapply the Coola setting spray on top of makeup—it leaves a nice matte finish. Or try one of the mineral sunscreen brushes like the Arcona Sunsations Nearly Invisible SPF 30 Dry Mineral Powder. Dust onto your face, décolleté or hands throughout the day or when caught in the sun unexpectedly.
3. Try Foreign Formulas: I recently learned that other countries allow for more sunscreen ingredients than we do in the US (the FDA hasn’t approved any new sunscreen ingredients in years). Many European countries, as well as countries like Canada, Japan, Korea, and sun-baked Australia have broader spectrum-blocking ingredients available. You can find La Roche Posay, a French brand, in Duane Reade drugstores. Blue Lizard, an Australian brand, can be ordered online and offers great SPF options for kids and babies. Laneige is a Korean brand sold at Target. I’ve been using and loving their Sunscreen Triple SPF 40.
4. Use Enough: The general rule is to use a teaspoon’s worth for your face and a shot glass’ worth for your body. Don’t be stingy: Use enough to cover all of your skin. You should go through your bottles of sunscreen in one season. It loses potency over time, so buy new bottles in June with the goal of using it all up by the first day of school. Be safe and have a happy summer!
Amity Spiegel is an esthetician, writer and Brooklyn mom of one active son. She is fascinated with all aspects of beauty and there is no treatment she will not try once in the name of research. Find her on Twitter @amityps and Pinterest @amityps.
