So it is the dog days of summer (how is it August already?!) and with being outside so much, a girl's thoughts turn to sunscreen. I don't know about all of you but I have a love/hate relationship with the stuff. I love that it holds off wrinkles, keeps me nice and alabaster and most importantly helps prevent skin cancer. I hate that it is a pain in the butt to apply, often makes me feel dirty/greasy and is just another step in getting ready in the morning.
Well, today I went for a lovely beach day in Malibu with some of my nearest and dearest. It was sunny with not a cloud in the sky and of course there was a nice coastal breeze about. The air even had a lovely coconut smell making me think of frosty umbrella-holding beverages. The reason the air was so delicious? The girl on the towel about 20 feet away from me was using aerosol sunscreen. And so we arrive at my sunscreen thoughts for the day.
Beware aerosol sunscreen. I know it is convenient, I know it keeps your hands clean and I know it is much easier to apply on kids than the old school goop. The problem? Unless you are using it in an area with NO WIND, I do not believe you are not getting the same coverage as you would with a more traditional cream.
Now don't get me wrong, when aerosol sunscreen first debuted a few summers ago I was very intrigued. However, my one experience with it was on a barely windy day when most of what I was spraying flew away into the air and as a result I used an entire can for one day the beach and still got burned. Not exactly healthy or economical. Although I had a bad experience, if aerosol sunscreen works for you and your fam, go with it. Just make sure you are using enough and that what you are spraying into the air makes it onto you and your children's skin. It is no fun thinking you are doing all you can to protect yourself only to find out that you are not as safe as you thought.
Some other quick thoughts on sunscreen:
Well, today I went for a lovely beach day in Malibu with some of my nearest and dearest. It was sunny with not a cloud in the sky and of course there was a nice coastal breeze about. The air even had a lovely coconut smell making me think of frosty umbrella-holding beverages. The reason the air was so delicious? The girl on the towel about 20 feet away from me was using aerosol sunscreen. And so we arrive at my sunscreen thoughts for the day.
Beware aerosol sunscreen. I know it is convenient, I know it keeps your hands clean and I know it is much easier to apply on kids than the old school goop. The problem? Unless you are using it in an area with NO WIND, I do not believe you are not getting the same coverage as you would with a more traditional cream.
Now don't get me wrong, when aerosol sunscreen first debuted a few summers ago I was very intrigued. However, my one experience with it was on a barely windy day when most of what I was spraying flew away into the air and as a result I used an entire can for one day the beach and still got burned. Not exactly healthy or economical. Although I had a bad experience, if aerosol sunscreen works for you and your fam, go with it. Just make sure you are using enough and that what you are spraying into the air makes it onto you and your children's skin. It is no fun thinking you are doing all you can to protect yourself only to find out that you are not as safe as you thought.
Some other quick thoughts on sunscreen:
- Apply sunscreen, at home, in the mirror, before you put on your suit. It is so easy to miss the spots that are right along your suit's edge when you apply with your suit on.
- Apply before you get to the beach. It is cleaner and easier and sunscreen needs time to sink in and work properly.
- Reapply. If you are out for a bit, reapply a few times.
- Don't rub it in too much - just enough so that the white color is gone.
- Make sure whatever you use offers UVA and UVB protection.
- Love your sunscreen! It is keeping you young. Most skin damage is caused my the sun not by aging or diet or anything else.
My two favorites? (Both available at drugstores nationwide)
Neutrogena Sunblock, Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SPF 55, 70 - $10-$12
Coppertone Sport Lotion, SPF 50 - $9.99
Have a great summer and keep looking fabulous!
BGND
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