Just as I had come to assume that eye cream application is a nighttime ritual, Clarins corrects my thinking.  This under-eye protection from Clarins prevents lines and wrinkles, and also provides delicate skin around the eyes with the sun protection it needs. 

This eye cream is incredibly light, and is easily worn under makeup.  It’s also a 2007 CEW Beauty Awards Winner!  For good reason!

Every morning, I apply sunscreen to my face prior to makeup application.

But here’s the catch…. sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours for it to provide the protection your skin needs– even more frequently if you’re swimming or physically active.  With summer in full swing, there are endless opportunities to get outside and enjoy the summer sun. 

Have you ever successfully reapplied sunscreen over your foundation and powder?  Of course not.  No one has!  It creates a hideous mess.  Another option would be to wash your makeup off and reapply, but that is WAY too time consuming.

Peter Thomas Roth has introduced Instant Mineral SPF 30.  This talc-free UVA/UVB protection is in the form of a completely translucent powder, and can be dusted over a made-up face for SPF 30 protection with a perfect matte finish.  The tube is perfectly portable and application is easy.  The mineral powder is contained in brush handle and dispenses through the brush.

The retractable brush makes it easy to replace the cap without bending and deforming the bristles.  This innovative product is a must have for the summer, and has earned a permanent spot in my beauty routine.

Beyond Coastal Sun Care was founded by Shawn Biega, a sports enthusiast who spent a lot of time outdoors (often wearing no sun protection). According to the Beyond Coastal website, Shawn “witnessed firsthand the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation when a few friends developed skin cancer in their early 30s.”

My husband is an avid cyclist, and sometimes weeks will pass before he even uses a car to commute to work.  Great for the environment, yes… but his rigorous riding schedule could certainly damage his skin and heighten his risk for skin cancer.  As a result I am constantly on his case about sunscreen application.  I also occasionally like to use him as a guinea pig for product reviews.  You can see where I’m going with this, right? 

After using it for a day or two, I asked him what he thought.  His words to me were: “It didn’t smell bad.  It went on fine.”  I laughed.  He then added.  “What more do you want?  It’s a $%@&! sunblock.”

Obviously, I would have to sample this myself to write a review.  I was impressed.  This SPF 30, broad-spectrum sunscreen is designed to stay on through even the most active of athletic challenges.  Unlike some sunscreens, this product never ran into my eyes or irritated my sensitive skin.  Beyond Coastal Active Daily Sunscreen absorbed quickly, and I was able to apply my makeup over it with no problem.

My husband was perhaps unable to articulate how much he likes this product, but it quickly became the household favorite, with every member of the family using it (until it was gone)!

Beyond Coastal products are all dermatologist tested, hypoallergenic, paraben-free and oil-free.  Their products are manufactured to meet USA- FDA, Australian, European EEC, Japanese AND South African standards.  A 4 oz. bottle sells for $15.00 on the Beyond Coastal website (shipping is free with a purchase of $25 or more- via Pay Pal), or you can check for a retailer near you.

Most of us have invested in a sunscreen or sunblock at some point in our lives.  Yet, I’d be willing to bet that many of my faithful readers need a refresher course on what to look for in a sunblock.

The SPF rating on sunscreen roughly informs the buyer how many times the ordinary rate you can be exposed to the sun without burning.  This calculation is based on an assumption that the average person will burn after 20 minutes of sun exposure with no protection.  So, an SPF 15 will protect you for 15×20 minutes, or 5 hours. 

But, did you know that SPF does not tell you if there is UVA protection in your sunscreen?  UVB rays are the rays that burn.  UVA rays are the damaging rays that cause premature aging, and cancer.  UVA block is crucial for everyday use, because even some WINDOWS do not protect you from UVA rays!  You must be on the lookout for this, as some sunscreens do not contain UVA protection… leaving your skin fully exposed to these harmful and damaging rays.

Scary fact…  UVC rays are widely regarded as the most dangerous of the three forms of ultraviolet radiation.  UVC is rarely discussed, because until recently they have been irrelevant.  The ozone layer has served as a protector from UVC rays…  Guess our children are in for a real treat!

I’ve been using Korres Natural Products Watermelon Sunscreen Face Cream for several weeks now, and absolutely love it.  This sunscreen has a faint watermelon scent, and contains vitamins and other ingredients to keep the skin healthy while simultaneously protecting it.  Korres Watermelon Sunscreen is a "Broad-Spectrum" sun-block.  The term "Broad-Spectrum" implies that both UVA and UVB protectors are present in the formula.  Korres Natural Products Watermelon Sunscreen Face Cream contains the following active ingredients: Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide.  It is non-comedogenic and free of mineral oil, silicone, propylene and ethanolamine.

If you can, try to avoid direct sun exposure between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.  If you have to be out in the sun, I highly recommend Korres Natural Products Watermelon Sunscreen Face Cream.