I have mentioned before our good friend Lina’s blog, Dalai Lina, as a wealth of carefully researched information in multiple subjects. Whether its health, relationships, or fitness I learn more and more from her blog each time I read it. (Have I mentioned that she does this all while being a mother of four?!) I seriously don’t know where I would be if it weren’t for her and my trainer’s constant knowledge!
What most recently struck me on Lina’s blog was a post she wrote about sunscreen and which drugstore sunscreens are considered to be “safe”. With summertime here, I am adamant about lathering my body with sunscreen while in the sun but I also know that that is a very tricky and touchy subject. There constantly seems to be a dispute about the amount of Vitamin D we are getting and how much we should be getting these days. Vitamin D is afterall a cancer fighter and we don’t want to completely neglect our bodies of it, but we all know that too much sun is extremely harmful. And then there’s the sun protection, which can be just as harmful seeing as certain sunscreens are literally chemicals that when applied to your skin enter the bloodstream. Ugh – SO much to keep up with! See why Lina is a total saint!?
Just today I learned that my three favorite sunscreens (NO-AD, Neutrogena Ultra-Sheer, and Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch - can you tell I am weird about my sunscreens being sheer!?) are all rated a 7 out of 10 on the scale (1 being the safest and 10 being the greatest hazard) created by the Environmental Working group. (You can search your sunscreens here to see what they’re ranked) That is not good. Those sunscreens are going into the trash today and I have already run to CVS this morning to get a drug store replacement (L’Oreal Sublime Sun Advanced) until I can order Lina’s favorite – Supergoop. Zappos has it on sale now – $48 for 18 oz. of sunscreen (it would normally cost $148!) – done and done.
As much as I love the warming properties of the sun and as pretty as I feel with a tan, I would rather know that I am protecting myself as best as I can and invest in some killer sunless tanners to get the color I want instead. My friend Hannah just told me about St. Tropez sunless tanning moose and says she swears by it. Her tan tells me its true!
I don’t claim to be an expert on this subject whatsoever, but protection from the sun is definitely something that hits close to home and I wanted to share the knowledge I just picked up in hopes that you all will take it and pass it along!
(Slim Aarons Image)
St Tropez sunless tanning mousse is seriously the best. it's $40 for the bottle but it lasts at least 3 months if you use it 2-3 times a week! And two times a week is really all you need!
Hm, I've never thought about the effect of my sunscreen on the environment … I've been too focused on protecting myself first, I guess. Good to think about!
I really love L'oreal's Sublime Glow for Fair Skin. It doesn't smell too badly, I've never had streaking problems, and it's really affordable, especially if you buy in bulk on Amazon! I'm ridiculously picky about sunless products, too (like, most of my life I've just happily accepted being the ghostly one and gone on about my merry business). This is the product that's converted me to the world of self-tanning!
Love y'all's blog; I've been reading for a while and am finally commenting!
http://jessieammons.blogspot.com
A lot of those "safe for you sunscreens" are virtually impossible to apply. My child ends up looking like ET on his death bed….I may have to give her fave a try. And I second the St. Tropez – I have the everyday moisturizer and it's great.
This is a great post. I've been trying to follow up on this sunscreen controversy, but it gets so confusing. Sunscreens are supposed to protect us. It's an oxymoron they can also harm us. Every so confusing!
Cup of Yo blogger made a short & sweet posting about this topic not long ago. She recommends Josie Maran brand – as an all natural sunscreen. I think I might try to start using it.
http://www.azrakunworld.com
I love new blog recommends! Thanks!
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Hello beautiful ladies! It is disheartening to find your favorite sunscreen is full of junk, isn't it? I can't get my hands on any of the L'Oreal spray and I'm dying to try it since it is one of the few decently rated spray sunscreens.
I agree with Sarah that so many of the ones you get at the store are hard to apply. The zinc is effective but a pain to rub in! Trust me, Supergoop is worth the try. It goes on fabulously!
I've been meaning to invest in some good sunscreen! I'm really, really awful at wearing it daily (or, for that reason, any makeup at all
xoxo
I just did a post that included sunscreen. My favorite Neutrogena Sensitive Skin SPF 30 got the rating of 4. I have to check out other ones I want to get as close to 1 as possible…especially living in Miami
to know the sunscreen I have used for years is rated so poorly is such a SCARY thought!
As of this summer I switched to L'Oreal Sun Sublime for it's 'cute' packaging and the reviews I've heard on it. So far I love it and have been wearing it everyday- it feels really great on and is perfect for sensitive skin.
I'm going to share the sunscreen rating website with my family and friends.
Such a helpful post, thank you!
http://adeyonker.blogspot.com/