Happy Friday! I hope you’ve all be enjoying the challenges that I’ve been posting each week for the Spring To Summer 6 Week Wellness Challenge because I’ve had so much fun creating the content for this series. We are quickly approaching the last week of the challenge, and thus far, we have focused on setting goals and sticking to them by eating clean, creating new recipes, staying active, being present in the moment and learning to meditate. These are all practices that are a part of my weekly routine, and I hope this series has encouraged you to include some of these practices into your daily routines. I received such positive feedback from last weeks post about meditation and learned that so many of you also love practicing meditation. I loved hearing from those of you that have not tried meditation but were inspired to try it after reading last weeks’ post. Please keep sending me your progress, as all of your hard work continually inspires me!
Healthy Skincare:
For the second to last wellness challenge, I wanted to turn the focus to skincare. One of my goals for at the beginning of this series was to continue to be diligent with my skincare and include more beneficial beauty into my skincare routine. Our skin is the largest organ of our body and what we put on it is absorbed into the bloodstream. So, not only should we take care our skin, but we should be using products that are high-quality, and safe for our skin. As much as I love a sun-kissed glow, I also care about my skin. I care about the health of it, its longevity and protecting it. One of the hero skincare products in my routine that I want to highlight in this post is SPF. For years, it has been essential for me to apply an SPF every day, even in the winter months. I am acutely aware of all the preventative measure I can take to not only keep my skin looking fresh but also free of brown spots and skin cancer. I go out of my way to always apply sunscreen and carry a hat and a pair of sunglasses with me whenever I know I am going to be in the sun. This beauty secret was passed down from my grandmother to my mother and then to me. My grandmother always expressed the importance of keeping your face out of the sun because the UVA and UVB rays can be very damaging and harmful to the skin. My mother put my grandmother’s words to practice and has been using SPF for as long as she can remember. I never questioned wearing sunscreen daily, because I thought, if I could achieve skin like theirs when I’m their ages, I would apply sunscreen five times a day if I had to! May is Skin Cancer Awareness month, so I want to make sure that our skin is in the best condition as we move forward into the warmer spring and summer months and prepare for a sunny Memorial Day Weekend. Scroll down to read more about the importance of SPF, my top 5 favorite SPFS, and I am also answering some of the most frequently asked questions surrounding SPF!
Why SPF Is Important:
While good genes could be playing a significant role in the appearance of their skin, my grandmother and mother say they owe it to one thing. The answer – SPF. “Why?” you ask. There are a whole host of reasons why SPF is so important. It helps with the prevention of sun damage, which includes uneven pores due to collagen damage, wrinkles, and those stubborn brown spots. I recently paid a visit to my dermatologist, who confirmed that wearing SPF daily is necessary and offered her expert recommendations for the best sunscreens. My doctor suggested a higher SPF as we are approaching warmer months when the sun is stronger, and a stronger SPF is necessary. Wearing sunscreen all year round because the UVA rays, which are the cause of aging, sun damage, and skin cancer, are always present. They are independent of cold or hot weather and are not blocked by the clouds, so don’t be fooled!
Your SPF Questions Answered:
We all know how important it is to wear sunscreen before heading outdoors, but I know the hard and fast rules behind sunscreen can often be blurred. I decided to clear up any confusion and reached out to my dermatologists to find out the facts about sunscreen, when to wear it and for how long. All of your sunscreen questions have been answered below:
Should I wear sunscreen daily? Also, do I need to wear it indoor and outdoor?
Complete indoor activities don’t require sunscreen, but many of us discount the sun on a daily basis from just running errands. The incidental sun adds up so be sure to apply sunscreen in the morning. If you know you have a sunny outdoor day ahead of you, using an SPF is essential! I know that we all love a good sun-kissed glow, but not at the expense of damaging your skin!
Besides the face, where else should I apply SPF?
Sunscreen should be worn all over the face, but also on the ears! Cover your entire face with SPF and don’t forget your neck and hands. One of the first signs of aging starts on your hands, so take the excess SPF on your palms and apply it to your hands. If you’re not sweating a lot that day, you are good to go with one application first thing in the morning.
What is the magic number when it comes to the strength of your SPF?
The American Academy of Dermatology always recommends an SPF of 30, because it is clinically proven to be a sufficient amount of protection. It is also proven to reduce or minimize the adverse effects of sunlight. Anything higher than SPF 30 is not essential, as any SPF over 30 provides only incremental extra blockage of the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays. SPF 30 blocks 97% or rays, while SPF 50 blocks 98%. As you can see, any SPF over 50 is already blocking 98%, and anything after this is providing minimal extra benefit. If you have a sunscreen that is over 30, that is completely fine and they work just as well!
Do you have to reapply sunscreen every couple of hours?
Ideally, you should reapply sunscreen every two hours, or more frequently if you are swimming, running or sweating heavily. When you reapply, make sure that you are covering all exposed areas to avoid those nasty lobsters colored burns.
Should I apply sunscreen on my lips?
I always recommend protecting your lips, as skin cancer in that area can be particularly dangers. Everyone needs a lip balm with SPF! I love this SPF31 lip balm from Elta MD and this tinted SPF 15 Lip Balm from Fresh beauty is one of my holy grail products! I wear it almost every day!
Does sunscreen help or hurt my acne?
Sunscreen helps your acne! Along with the other reasons why it’s important to wear daily sun protection, post-breakout discoloration is drastically exacerbated by exposure to UVA/UVB rays. I used to have the mentality that the sun actually helped my skin and helped to hide any red imperfections, but that is not the case. Not wearing sunscreen lends itself to breakouts in the first place — when sebum produced in our skin oxidizes at the skin’s surface inflammation occurs and pimples form as a result. Yikes! If that’s not reason enough to apply your daily sunscreen, I don’t know what is!
Week 5 Challenge: Try to apply sunscreen every day and include an SPF in your daily skincare routine.
This challenge is very simple, but the effects can be grand! If you apply an SPF every day and include a sunscreen in your skincare regime, you are protecting your skin from the harmful UVA and UVB rays that can cause damage to your skin and severe complications later on in life. If you aren’t sure what SPF is right for you, I’ve rounded up my top 5 favorite SPF so you can easily implement a regular application of SPF into your daily regime. Memorial Day Weekend is quickly approaching so make sure you grab one of these SPF’s to put in your beach or pool tote:
My Top 5 Favorite Sunscreens:
I am a firm believer in investing in your skincare because you were only given one face and you want to do everything you can to keep it looking healthy and youthful. So, with the help of my doctor and through trial and error, I have narrowed my list of sunscreens down to the five best SPF formulas. These sunscreens are hydrating (but not greasy or oily), lightweight, and designed to protect your skin from sun damage. These sunscreens are all broad-spectrum sunscreens that protect you from UVA and UVB rays with an SPF of at least 30 or higher. Keep reading for the five best sunscreens that will keep your skin protected and looking youthful:
Let me start off by saying that I have been using this SPF for years, and it has been placed at the top of this list for a good reason. This smooth lightweight formula provides protection from UVA and UVB rays and has refining pore power with lactic acid, which helps to clear pores and control oil. It also has an ingredient called hyaluronic acid to help seal in moisture to keep the skin hydrated. This SPF works really well under makeup, because it is extremely lightweight, nongreasy, and does not have an overpowering SPF smell. After I was my face in the morning, this product is a part of my morning skincare lineup. The same EltaMD formula also comes in a tinted version, with an SPF of 46. This works really well if you want to conceal any imperfections while shielding your complexion from the sun. The tinted broad spectrum SPF 30 formula can be purchased here.
This gentle formula is not only lightweight, but it was specifically designed for post-procedure, sensitive, and very dry skin. SkinCeuticals uses zinc oxide and titanium dioxide in this sunscreen, which provides all-day hydration, making it perfect for daily use. This dermatologist-recommended sunscreen is paraben-free, fragrance-free, and—most importantly—protects you from both UVA and UVB rays. This formula also comes in a tinted formula and has all the same benefits, plus a sheer-tint to conceal and boost radiance for a healthy glow. The tinted formula comes in an SPF of 50, and it is perfect to use every day. You can purchase the tinted formula here.
With anti-aging properties, this sunscreen protects from sun damage and helps prevent aging due to chronic exposure to infrared light. This formula goes beyond UVA and UVB protection by reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improving skin texture, and evening out your skin tone. It is important to use anti-aging products, even in your 20’s, because it will only help to reduce signs of aging in the long run. This Defense Repair formula is paraben free (a preservative found in cosmetic products) and dermatologist approved!
The title says it all – “Ultra Light.” This sunscreen has a very light texture that instantly dissolves into the skin, leaving your complexion with a satin finish. It is safe to say you will not be walking around looking like you have chalky white sunscreen on your skin. This 100% mineral UV protection offers a long-wearing broad-spectrum formula with Cell-Ox Shield, which helps to combat environmental damage. It is fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, and water-resistant, making it ideal for all skin types. This formula also comes in a tinted version for those who want sheer coverage, while protecting with an SPF of 50. You can purchase the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Tinted Mineral Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid SPF50 here.
5. SuperGoop Everyday Sunscreen
If you are looking for a more reasonably priced sunscreen, this one is a fantastic option. This formula is oil-free and water-resistant which is perfect for everyday wear on your face and body. It absorbs quickly into the skin and it is extremely lightweight, but with ultra-moisturizing results. I love it because it is made with natural ingredients like citrus, basil and bois de rose, so it doesn’t have that typical SPF smell. A little of this product goes a long way, so be sure to cover your face, neck, ear, and hands!
I hope you enjoyed this weeks post! I can’t believe we have one challenge left to the series and then it is finally Memorial Day Weekend! Stay tuned for next week and as always…keep up the amazing work! I am headed to Albany, NY this weekend for the Crossfit Regionals, so be sure to follow me on Instagram stories to see what I’m up to!
Love,
Liv
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