Celebrate Sun Awareness Week with Aveeno, Ombrelle and Coppertone!

It's National Sun Awareness Week and you will be horrified to learn that 1 in every 10 Canadians has never even used sunscreen - which is crazy, it's just so important it is to wear sunscreen every single day - even on those cloudy days when you think you don't need the protection, you do - 70% of all UV rays penetrate through the clouds! Even those of us who are diligent about applying our sunscreen might still not be using enough of it - to completely protect your entire body it is recommended using 2 tablespoons of sunscreen which is approximately the size of a golf ball - so no more excuses, any one of these sunscreens will not only protect, but also leave your skin feeling great:

Aveeno Active Naturals Sensitive Skin Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 - 80ml - $15.99 - a gentle and effective, water-resistant up to 80 minutes, oil and fragrance-free lotion designed for sensitive skin that contains 100% naturally sourced sunscreen ingredients that form an effective barrier against UVA/UVB rays. With a moisturizing formula containing natural oat extracts that leaves delicate and sensitive skin feeling soothed and nourished.

Garnier Ombrelle Sport Endurance SPF 50+ - 231ml - $19.99 - an oil-free, non-greasy lotion with a water base that enables it to go on clear and provide uniform coverage, even on wet skin for 80 minutes of water and sweat resistance. The water based formula is important as classic oil-based sunscreens can leave gaps in coverage on wet and sweaty skin which means parts of your skin can be losing out on protection!

Also available in SPF 30 in a 231ml or 50ml travel size.

Coppertone ClearlySheer Spray Sunscreen SPF 30 - 142g - $9.99 - with a lightweight, moisturizing formula that feels clean and light, helps keep skin smooth and soft, is water resistant up to 80 minutes and leaves a matte finish and a fresh, clean scent behind.

All are available at drug and mass retailers across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Celebrate Day 7 of National Sun Awareness Week with Jergens BB Hand Perfecting Hand Cream SPF 20

It's the last day of National Sun Awareness Week and I truly hope that you have now become just as militant about sun protection as I am! I also hope you have enjoyed seeing all the amazing sun protection products along with the fun sun facts!

Of course just because the week is over doesn't mean you should start neglecting your sun protection - and remember to pay special attention to those areas that are easy to forget about because we are so concentrated on our face and body - like our hands - there is no point in having a wrinkle free face if you end up giving your age away with old-lady hands - so protect them with:

Jergens BB Hand Perfecting Hand Cream SPF 20 - 90ml - $10.99 - instantly and visibly improves that skin on the hands as it hydrates, evens, protects, visibly smoothes and diminishes dark spots. You’ll see significant improvements in the tone and texture of your hands, especially around your knuckles for hands that look more youthful in just 5 days!

Available at drug and mass retailers across Canada.

And remember to apply your sunscreen every day - even when it's overcast - those sneaky UVA/UVB rays are sneaking through the clouds! You can also get burned sitting in the shade as UV rays can be reflected off water, sand, snow and even concrete!

- Lisamarie -

Celebrate Day 6 of National Sun Awareness Week with Mary Kay SPF 30 Sunscreen

It's National Sun Awareness Week and considering how militant I am about us all wearing our sun protection, I decided we should dedicate a post every day this week to fun sun facts and an awesome sunscreen pick - enjoy and you're welcome!

Mary Kay SPF 30 Sunscreen - 118ml - $23 - offers waterproof and sweat-resistant protection for up to 80 minutes in a lightweight, oil-free formula for face or body that absorbs quickly, leaving skin feeling soft and moisturized.

Available now through your Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant - if you don't have one you can find one at - www.marykay.ca or 1-866-455-5454.

Did you know that one in three Canadian’s does not see tanning as a risky behaviour, or that 54% of Canadians think it is fine to tan, as long as they do not burn?

According to dermatologists, including Dr. Paul Cohen of Toronto, ANY change to the skin’s natural pigmentation from the sun is a sign that damage has occurred – even if you think your tan gives you a “healthy” glow. This damage can result in premature aging, including dark spots and wrinkles, as well as skin cancer, including life-threatening melanoma.

Which means you should never be leaving the house without your sunscreen on!

- Lisamarie -

Celebrate Day 5 of National Sun Awareness Week with Vichy Ideal Soleil Invisible Mist

It's National Sun Awareness Week and considering how militant I am about us all wearing our sun protection, I decided we should dedicate a post every day this week to fun sun facts and an awesome sunscreen pick - enjoy and you're welcome!

Vichy Ideal Soleil Invisible Mist SPF 50 - 150ml - $31.95 - offers quick application with a continuous invisible diffusion and a dry touch powdery finish.

Contains the #1 filter recommended by dermatologists: Mexoryl SX, with Parsol 1789 and octocrylene, a photostabilizer, ensuring broad spectrum protection from UVB rays, short and long UVA rays and its high UVA protection ensures additional skin benefits such as more luminosity, better skin quality, and fewer wrinkles and spots.

Available now at drugstores across Canada. 

Of course if not applied properly, even the best protection is not efficient and 7 out of 10 women are not well protected!
 
You need to apply the right dose - a standard amount is 2mg per cm2 of skin for optimal sun protection - and not forget any areas including: hair line, ears, hollow areas on neck and chest, back of hands and feet, inner knee area and bathing suit lines.

Vichy has developped a unique, practical, efficient and easy application technique that has been validated by Dermatologists:
 
First measure ½ tsp = 2 ml
Apply - 5 dots on face and 8 dots on chest.
Don’t forget hollow areas: hairline, ears, under the neck and collar bones.
Smooth from the inside towards the outside. Apply rapidly the product on the whole area.
Spread on face: smoothing liftings
Spread on neck and décolleté: with rolling movements.

Now you're ready to take on the sun - just be sure to reapply on a regular basis especially after swimming or excessive perspiration!

- Lisamarie -

Celebrate Day 4 of National Sun Awareness Week with Neutrogena CoolDry Sport Sunscreen Lotion

It's National Sun Awareness Week and considering how militant I am about us all wearing our sun protection, I decided we should dedicate a post every day this week to fun sun facts and an awesome sunscreen pick - enjoy and you're welcome!

If you're the sporty type and don't like sunscreen because it's always running in your eyes then you'll want to feast them on:

Neutrogena CoolDry Sport Sunscreen SPF 60 - 147ml - $14.99 - a non-greatsy, quick absorbing and oil-free lotion built for the toughest conditions of summer, even intense activities, so it stays on strong while you sweat with 80-minute water and sweat resistance. It is specially formulated with micromesh technology to allow your skin to breathe while you sweat so your skin feels clean and dry. It won’t run into eyes and also contains helioplex technology to provide photostable UVA/UVB protection for your skin.

Also available in an SPF 30 lotion as well as SPF 60 and SPF 30 in a spray format.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in Canadians… and it is also the most common cancer in the world, according to the Canadian Dermatology Association (CDA) which means that you can’t afford to not wear sunscreen!

By following the CDA’s four simple steps outlined below, you can help minimize your risk for the type of skin cancer with the fastest-rising diagnosis rate, melanoma:

1.       Limit sun exposure during peak sun hours, 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. and especially around midday when the sun’s radiation is the strongest.

2.       Seek shade as much as possible, especially when your shadow is shorter than you. That is a key sign that the sun is directly overhead and its rays are the strongest. Short shadow = seek shade!

3.       Wear protective hats and clothing. Though this doesn’t mean you still shouldn’t apply sunscreen, so it’s important to remember to always apply sunscreen to the parts of your skin that are exposed, like your face, lips, neck and ears.

4.       Always use a SPF 30 or higher broad-spectrum sunscreen and reapply at least every two hours, and even earlier after swimming or sweating.

- Lisamarie -

Celebrate Day 3 of National Sun Awareness Week with Tarte Tarteguard 30 Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion

It's National Sun Awareness Week and considering how militant I am about us all wearing our sun protection, I decided we should dedicate a post every day this week to fun sun facts and an awesome sunscreen pick - enjoy and you're welcome!

Don't like sunscreen because most sun protection products don't smell good or look pretty on your dressing table? - then check out:

Tarte Tarteguard 30 Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 - 50ml - $38 - an all-mineral, non-chemical, lightweight, non-sticky liquid lotion sunscreen that helps to protect, moisturize, brighten, and re-invigorate skin for a youthful-looking appearance. The formula is also infused with maracuja, red algae, soybean, apple, and honeysuckle extracts to nourish, tone, and retain moisture while helping to combat signs of aging for a firmer, brighter, smoother appearance. The fresh, ocean’s lily scent allows for luxurious, spa-like daily applications, while the high-performance liquid emulsion seamlessly melts into skin, leaving it supremely soft and silky.

Available at Sephora and sephora.ca.

Ever wonder how tanning even became a fashionable thing to do? Some of the blame goes to Coco Chanel. It used to be that women's clothes covered so much that a body tan was impossible, and a tan on the face and hands signified what it still does in developing nations - that the tanned person is an outdoor laborer, most likely of low social status. Lily-white skin remained a sign of a lady even after industrialization, but legend has it that when Chanel was accidentally sunburned during a trip to the Riviera and developed a tan from the burn, her new hue took hold among the fashionable as a symbol of all she herself embodied: modernism, luxury and independence. 

If you don't want to get over your love of the tanned look, don't despair - self-tanners today are so good that you can still have all the glow without any of the risk!

- Lisamarie -

Celebrate Day 2 of National Sun Awareness Week with La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mist SPF 50

It's National Sun Awareness Week and considering how militant I am about us all wearing our sun protection, I decided we should dedicate a post every day this week to fun sun facts and an awesome sunscreen pick - enjoy and you're welcome!

If you find spray protection convenient to use but hate the downside of not being able to see where you've already sprayed then this new solution from La Roche-Posay will please you:

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mist SPF 50 - 155g - $32 - sprays a continuous,water resistant, non-greasy, ultra-light, microfine diffusion at any angle that goes on white to ensure even protection which dries invisible with a dry touch.

Available now at drug stores across Canada.

La Roche-Posay has launched a sun platform to build awareness and engage Canadians on the need for sun protection with a campaign set to raise awareness on the Save Your Skin Foundation and encourage people to share their sensitive skin stories.

The campaign commemorates Melanoma Awareness Month. Since 2000, the incidence of melanoma has increased 75 per cent in Canada, compared to only 31% for all types of cancer. And this year, one out of every three cancers diagnosed in Canada will be skin cancer. It’s an alarmingly high number, especially considering Canadians get far fewer mole checks than the rest of the world. 

For every story submitted to the laroche-posay.ca/sun La Roche-Posay will donate $1 to the Save Your Skin Foundation (up to a total of $10,000). #YourSkinStory

- Lisamarie -

Celebrate Day 1 of National Sun Awareness Week with Ombrelle Ultra Light Advanced Weightless Body Lotion SPF 50+

It's National Sun Awareness Week and considering how militant I am about us all wearing our sun protection, I decided we should dedicate a post every day this week to fun sun facts and an awesome sunscreen pick - enjoy and you're welcome!

If you loved the Ombrelle Ultra-Fluid Lotion for Face then you will be thrilled with the introduction of:

Ombrelle Ultra Light Advanced Weightless Body Lotion SPF 50+ - 120ml - $19.99 - an easy to apply light, quick absorbing, broad-spectrum UVA-UVB protection lotion that is hypoallergenic and free of any fragrance or dyes.

Available now at drug and mass market retailers across Canada.

And here's something I didn't know - according to Consulting Dermatologist to Ombrelle Dr. Khanna, the SPF # on a product is only related to the UVB protection. Which is not so helpful since UVA rays (which are the ones responsible for accelerated skin aging, furrowed brows, deep wrinkles, skin rashes, skin yellowing and cancer) represent 95% of the rays reaching the skin's surface and are 100 times more abundant and penetrate the skin more deeply than UVB rays.

Which makes me wonder how the hell we're supposed to pick a sunscreen if we don't even know how much of the SPF is protecting us against the UVA rays...

Problem solved! Luckily there's a new UVA logo approved by Health Canada that will solve this annoying dilemma - incidentally, until recently, products could claim they protected against UVA without identifying the percentage of ingredients targeting these rays. To be able to use this new label, 30% of ingredients must be dedicated to UVA protection - something few brands can claim so keep an eye out for the distinctive circle around the UVA when you're shopping so you know what you're getting!

- Lisamarie -

After the sun with Life Brand, Avon and Mary Kay!

Even if you wear your sun protection (and especially if you don't), sun, wind and surf can still play havoc with your skin, leaving it feeling dry and uncomfortable. These skin helpers will rehydrate, relieve and refresh, leaving your ready for more fun in the sun:

Life Brand After Sun Aloe - 470ml - $7.49 - cools and soothes skin and protects against the drying effects of the sun while relieving itching due to dry skin and replenishing skin moisture. Perfect for summer and using year round for softening and nourishing skin. Also available in a 150ml size for $3.49.

Available exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart.

Avon Sun + Cooling After Sun Aloe Gel - 250ml - $7.99 - a lightweight, non-sticky, oil-free, after sun cooling gel with aloe vera to moisturize the skin.

Available from your Avon rep- 1-800-265-AVON or online at www.avon.ca.

Mary Kay Sun Care After-Sun Replenishing Gel - 192ml - $16 - an ultra-light, oil-free, cooling gel suitable for all skin types which contains soothing botanical extracts including: camellia sinensis leaf extract, rhodiola rosea root extract and vanilla tahitensis fruit extract which help skin feel hydrated, smooth and refreshed following sun and wind exposure.

Only available for a little bit longer - until June 15th - so get on the horn to your Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant right away - if you don't have one you can locate one at - www.marykay.ca or 1-866-455-5454.

If you've missed any of the other posts in our CDA National Sun Awareness Week series, be sure to check out:

Monday's post on lightweight sunscreen options! 

Tuesday's post on great SPF 40+ options! 

Wednesday's post on spraying your way to sun protection!

Thursday's post on double duty moisturizer/sunscreen options!

Thursday's Prevent and Protect contest from SkinCeuticals!

Friday's post on out of the ordinary sunscreen texture options! 

- Lisamarie -

Out of the ordinary sunscreen textures from Coppertone, Vichy and Ombrelle!

I'm very much a texture people so when people tell me that they don't wear sunscreen because they don't like the normal texture of it, I get it! You'll need to find a new excuse though now that there are several products that are anything but the usual thing...

Coppertone Sunscreen Oil Free Mousse SPF 60 - 170g - $11.99 - with an oil and fragrance free whipped mousse formula perfect for delicate skin, that vanishes quickly without a greasy residue and won't clog pores. With broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection that contains avobenzone and other sunscreen ingredients is free of PABA and parabens.

Available in the suncare sections of drug, food and mass stores across Canada.

Vichy Capital Soleil High Protection Oil SPF 30 - 177ml - $29.95 - an indulgent, luxurious dry body oil with photostable broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection with soothing oils that condition the skin and prevent moisture loss and a luxurious satin finish, for a radiant, sun-kissed glow.

Available now at drugstores across Canada.

Ombrelle SPF 60 Face Stick - 9g - $19.99 - the hypoallergenic formula offers broad spectrum sunscreen with a dry touch feel that's perfect for sun sensitive areas. Great for the ears, nose around the eyes or my trick, along the hair part so you don't burn your scalp!

Available at drug, grocery and mass retailers across Canada.


If you've missed any of the other posts in our CDA National Sun Awareness Week series, be sure to check out:

Monday's post on lightweight sunscreen options! 

Tuesday's post on great SPF 40+ options! 

Wednesday's post on spraying your way to sun protection!

Thursday's post on double duty moisturizer/sunscreen options! 

- Lisamarie - 

Spray your SPF 60 with Neutrogena, Ombrelle and Coppertone!

If your biggest compliant about sunscreen is it's too hard to get it on all those hard to reach places then spray sunscreen is about to become your new best friend! This format also makes it very easy to reapply which you should be doing every couple of hours with any sunscreen, especially after swimming or excessive sweating!

Neutrogena Beach Defense SPF 60 Spray - 184g - $14.99 - a dermatologiest-recommended water and sweat resistant oil-free spray with Helioplex technology that provides photostable broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection and protect skin's moisture barrier from the elements that can be harsh on your skin, not only sun but also prolonged water exposure.

Ombrelle Sport SPF 60 Clear Continuous Spray - 140ml - $17.99 - designed to last through sun, sweat and water making it perfect for all your summer sports. Can be sprayed from any angle and provides broad-spectrum protection against UVA & UVB rays with Mexoryl technology.

Coppertone Sport Sunscreen Continuous Spray SPF 60 - 177ml - $11.99 - the waterproof and sweatproof formula has a cooling sensation that offers quick and even coverage that won't run into the eyes and sting. With a broad spectrum protection against UVA/UVB rays with avobenzone and other sunscreen ingredients.

All products can be found at drug, food and mass retailers across Canada.

If you've missed any of the other posts in the series, be sure to check out:

Monday's post on lightweight sunscreen options! 

Tuesday's post on great SPF 40+ options! 

- Lisamarie -

Life (and sunscreen) begin at 40 (SPF) with Alyria, Aveeno, Life Brand and Avon!

Today for CDA National Sun Awareness Week we investigate the wonderful and confusing world of sun protection factor, otherwise known as SPF - numbers that were introduced in the 60's to measure a sunscreen's effect against UVB rays.

To determine a sunscreen's SPF scientists measure the amount of UV rays it takes a test group to burn without sunscreen. Then they redo the test with sunscreen. The "with sunscreen" number is divided by the "without sunscreen" number, and the result is rounded down to the nearest five. This is the SPF.

For example, if you burn after 10 minutes of sun exposure, an SPF of 30 will allow you to be in the sun for up to 300 minutes without burning. This of course is assuming that you apply enough sunscreen to begin with which most people don't... an ice cream scoop amount is what you should be using for proper coverage!

If you burn after 10 minutes, these sunscreens will allow you 400-450 minutes of sun exposure:

Alyria Sunscreen Lotion - 75g - $57 - with physical sunscreens - zinc oxide and titanium dioxide and botanical extracts - buriti fruit oil - helps nourish, moisturize and repair, rosemary extract - an anti-inflamatory and Vitamin E - helps protect and repair skin at a cellular level - which combined protect skin from the multiple harmful effects of the sun. In a formula that contains tiny micronized particles that are easily absorbed and allow for transparency so that no thick, white layer is left on the skin.

Available exclusively at doctor's offices - check out www.alyria-med.com to find one near you.

Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Sunscreen Lotion - 88ml - $14.99 - with a fast-absorbing, oil-free and non-comedogenic dermatologist-recommended formula that delivers broad-specturm and photostable protection that is waterproof and sweatproof and provides all day hydration with skin-soothing Active Naturals Oats to leave skin feeling healthier than before sun exposure.

Avon Sun+ SPF 40 Sunscreen Face Lotion - 88ml - $12.99 - with a lightweight, oil free formula that absorbs quickly and leaves skin feeling moisturized which offers broad spectrum protection against the sun.

Available from your Avon rep - 1-800-265-AVON or online at www.avon.ca. 

Life Brand Sunscreen Lotion SPF 45 - 220 ml - $10.99 - features an oil-free, non-greasy, water-resistant formula with broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection.

Available exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart.

If you missed Monday's post be sure to check out the lightweight sunscreen options!

- Lisamarie - 

Face the day with a lightweight sunscreen from Vichy, La Roche-Posay and SkinCeuticals!

It's CDA National Sun Awareness Week so what better time to share all the latest, greatest and fave sun care products with you! It's not like you haven't heard a million times before (and half of those times from me) that you really MUST wear sunscreen everyday, it's the best anti-aging product you could ever hope to find - one of the most often heard excuses for not doing it is that sunscreen feels too heavy/greasy/uncomfortable on the skin.

Problem solved with these three super light options:

Vichy Capital Soleil Ultra-Light Lotion SPF 50 - 40ml - $25 -with a water resistant, paraben and fragrance free formula that is like the name says, ultra-light which makes it a perfect base for makeup and is ideal for normal to combination and oily skin.

La Roche-PosayAnthelios SPF 60 Ultra-Fluid Lotion - 50ml - $26 - with a paraben and fragrance free formula which features a mattifying, weightless texture that is perfect for everyday use, under makeup or on its own and is suitable for all skin types, even oily.

SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 - 50ml - $42 - a paraben-free weightless, mattifying fluid formula with broad specturm UVA/UVB protection which contains mineral filters making it great for all skin types - even very sensitive, intolerant, oily and acne prone.

Available from dermatologists and medical-spas – visit http://www.skinceuticals.com/canada to find one near you. 

And be sure to come back every day this week at 11:30am for even more wonderful products in the world of sun care!

- Lisamarie -