Are you blocking the UVA?

While we have all heard of the benefits from using a daily sunscreen (anti-aging, avoiding skin damage and cancer), it is good to note that not all sunscreens are created equal. Many sunscreens are good at blocking the long UVB rays, however most do very little to block the damaging short UVA rays.

Ingredients that absorb UVA/UVB rays, such as avobenzone and octyl methoxycinnamate, are known as absorbers or chemical based sunscreens. In contrast, physical blockers of UV radiation have ingredients such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.

In a recent post from SkinTour.com “Are You Blocking UVA, Too?” Dr. Brandith Irwin explains,

“Remember that SPF refers only to UVB protection and doesn’t help you on UVA. And buying a sunscreen that says “broad spectrum” or “UVA Protection” won’t necessarily protect you much. Some of those have only a tiny amount of zinc or titanium for UVA blocking.”

To read her entire article including a list of affordable UVA sunscreens for the body and face, go to: http://www.skintour.com/tips/Are-You-Blocking-UVA-Too-.html.

I know I need to wear a daily SPF on my face and neck to avoid the damaging effects of the sun. Further more, I know that you need to be hyper-vigilant about using sunscreen while using retinoids, or after using facial skincare products with BHA or AHA’s. Even so, sometimes I still hesitate using a facial sunscreen.

Here is a list of some of the “excuses” I use to justify not using a facial sunscreen:

• the smell, many sunscreens have a chemical smell that really bothers me
• the feel, greasy and difficult to use with my existing makeup
• breakout factor, sensitivity to some sunscreen creams can cause breakouts
• the shine, even a little bit of moisture can add to my already summer oily-shiny skin
• sting my eyes,  don’t get a sunscreen close to your eyes or you’ll be teary all day long! (more…)

For the past 7 months, I have been using prescription strength Retin-A.

Retin-A , Renova and/or Generic Tretinoin Cream is an emollient and is much less harsh than what I tried as a teenager. I have read that every person over 30 can benefit from using Retin-A. That is unless you are pregnant.

After mentioning using Retin-A in a recent post, Marilyn made the comment:

“I used Retinoids in my 40’s – they are great – but insurance companies are extremely hesitant to cover the prescription products (Retin A comes to mind), which from my experience, give the best results. Stupid insurance companies.” (more…)

Summer is in full swing and last weekend spent an afternoon at Jordanelle reservoir with some good friends.  While donning a borrowed incredibly high-cut black bathing suit, my pal Rai commented that my legs were so white they almost appeared blue.

Blue Rai?  Seriously?!  Geez, by trying to protect my skin from sun damage, I end up taking on the look of the Cullens.

And unfortunately I cannot allow myself to bake in the sun, mainly because I want to avoid skin cancer risks, but also because I would just burn and freckle.  Such sad circumstances warrant a great sunless tanner. (more…)

Just because you have dark skin doesn’t mean you don’t have to worry about protecting yourself from the potentially harmful rays of the sun.

As more people head outside for the warmer months, dermatologists and health experts are warning men and women that there is no such thing as being immune to skin cancer.

“Pigmentation doesn’t give you a free pass,” dermatologist Dr Charles E. Crutchfield III told CNN. “It doesn’t matter what color your skin is – everyone can get skin cancer.”

It seems that some people are not taking the warnings seriously, however.  A study by Consumer Reports found that only slightly more than one-quarter (27 percent) of people with darker skin applied sunscreen, compared with 64 percent of people with lighter complexions. (more…)

Many of us would like to use Alpha Hydroxy Acids but cannot tolerate using Gylcolic Acid (the most commonly used and considered one of the harsher forms of AHA’s). So what do you do if you want the exfoliating and anti-aging benefits of using an AHA, but have sensitive skin?  I recently discovered a wonderful Gylcolic Acid alternative skincare line called NuCelle.   Not only does it incorporate the use of the a gentler Mandelic acid AHA, NuCelle has created a skincare line that responds beautifully with sensitive, dry, oily or acne prone skin.

The secret ingredient that will reveal your naturally beautiful skin is NuCelle’s almond-based Mandelic Acid. Physicians have long recognized the powers of this anti-bacterial alpha-hydroxy to treat common skin problems such as photo-aging, irregular pigmentation, and acne. (more…)

Val is asking:

Does anyone else have problems with sunscreen breakouts?   I believe I have used almost every one from cheap to very expensive and all types and always end up with one bump that takes weeks to go away.

We all are aware that we need to wear a daily SPF on our face and neck to avoid the damaging effects of the sun.  Further more, we need to be hyper-vigilant about using sunscreen while using retinoids, or after using facial skincare products with BHA or AHA’s.   Even so, sometimes there are reasons one will hesitate using a facial sunscreen. 

Excuses I have made that justify not using a daily facial sunscreen: 

• the smell, many sunscreens have a chemical smell that really bothers me
• the feel, greasy and difficult to use with my existing makeup
• breakout factor, like Val, my skin’s sensitivity to some sunscreen creams can cause breakouts
• the shine, even a little bit of moisture can add to my already summer oily shiny skin
• sting my eyes,  don’t get a sunscreen close to your eyes or you’ll be teary all day long! (more…)

For your amusement, I decided to list some of the beauty products that I reviewed  in 2008 that left me feeling less than enthusiastic.  We are all entitled to our opinion, and personally know individuals who adore many of these particular items, and if you are one of them, feel free to defend your beloved product.   Without further adieu, here are my list of beauty stinkers for ‘08:

• Lorac aquaPRIMEâ„¢ Oil-Free MakeupPrimer ($30) - Love the idea of not adding silicones, absorbed well into my skin, sure it added moisture, but felt like it was overpriced and didn’t notice any added benefits while using it.
• Clinique Superfit Makeup – too much shimmer in the formula for my taste, hard to blend, shade appeared slightly orange with my skintone.
• Urban Decay’s Transformaton Potion – Sloppy, hard to apply, and heaven forbid some drips into your eyes, OWIE!  Wanna create your own eyeliner using an eye-shadow or mineral makeup pigments?  Try this sealant with a bent eyeliner brush:  “Indelible” Eyeliner Sealant ($4 at Aromaleigh.com). 
• Blinc Kiss Me Mascara – Love the fact that this mascara doesn’t run or smudge, hated how my lashes appeared spidery and clumped together.  Difficult to remove.
• NP SET Eye shadow duo – found the color lacked vitality, overpriced, and difficult to apply.
• Ole Henricksen’s Red Tea Eye Cream – My eyes teared up for several minutes after using this, whatever is in it, my eyes do not like!
• Somme Institute Double Defense Sunscreen – Similar problem, the sunscreen seems to seep into my eyes and causes them to tear and sting.  Yes I need the sun protection, but can you make it so it won’t irriate my eyes?
• YSL’s Radiant Brush Foundation - The application brush stinks, the formula seemed too thin in its consistency, and my skin’s flakiness was magnified while wearing it.  

Any beauty products that you tried this year and ended up feeling disappointed?  Feel free to warn the rest of us!

For even more fun, check out Bionic Beauty’s Worst of 2008 and Beautiful Makeup Search’s 10 Things I’d Like to Forget.  You won’t want to miss out on these reads.

Summer has arrived, and along with the long summer days, come the strong summer sun rays that can wreak havoc and damage our tender skin. You have all heard the sunscreen drill, but don’t you still long for a bit of color and glow on that skin? Summer’s fashion sandals, sundress, shorts and skirts don’t quite seem complete without a bit of tan. Thanks to Clinique, we can all protect and add some innocuous golden color to our skin.

I am so pleased to announce that Mythbuster Beauty will be giving you a chance to win a set of amazing Clinique Suncare products!

Safe Is The New Sexy Summer Clinique Giveaway at MBB

Clinique is providing a skin suncare prize (retail value of $53.50) that will be awarded to three lucky individuals.

The “Safe is the new Sexy” Clinique Suncare prize will include:

Clinique’s Touch of Bronzeâ„¢ Moisturizing Body Lotion (retail value, $18.50)

You can read the MBB review of Touch of Bronze at this post:  Safe is the New Sexy: Sunless Tanners.

Safe is the new sexy, so find a sunless way to give your skin a natural-looking bronze radiance. This daily body moisturizer with a touch of self-tanner provides an allover, faux glow. Just smooth on this mistake-proof formula to gradually build or maintain even colour. Skin feels soft, looks luminous.

Clinique’s Body Spray 30 SPF Sun Block (retail value, $18.50), love the idea of a sunscreen in a spray!

Comfortable, oil-free spray provides high-level, full spectrum UVA/UVB sun protection. And with skin-defending vitamins, helps prevent signs of premature aging. Water-resistant, sweat-resistant.

Clinique’s Lip/Eye SPF 30 Sun Block (retail value, $16.50)

Spot stick provides high-level, full-spectrum UVA/UVB sun protection ideal for lips, eye-area skin, nose, ears, scars. And with skin-defending vitamins, helps prevent signs of premature aging. Waterproof. Sweatproof.

To enter, please place your comment at this post. One entry per person. All entries must be submitted before midnight July 4, 2008. Three winners will be selected at random and will be contacted by email.  I will also submit the winner information to the PrizeyWinners website.

Best wishes and have a fabulous summer!!! 

After skimming through my newly received Summer 2008 “Calendar Girls” Sephora catalog, I noticed on the back cover a blurb about Sephora’s 2008 Sun Safety Kit.

What really grabbed my attention is that this kit contains some of my favorite new skincare finds:

• Cosmedicine’s Medi-Matte Oil-Control Lotion
• Tarte’s 24/7 Lip Sheer
• Juice Beauty’s Green Apple Moisturizer
• Smashbox’s Photo Finish Foundation Primer with SPF 15

Yes, these are all just trial-sized items, but between all 11 products in this kit, you will probably have enough products to get through the summer with them!

*Sephora is also donating $21.55 from each sale to the Skin Cancer Foundation.  Another fringe benefit for doing something good for your skin!