adminToday is the perfect day to have us a little chat about sunscreen. Why? Well, because I’ve got a little bit of red on my cheeks (cause I spent to much time outside and skipped the screen). I want to be very honest with you. I spent YEARS avoiding sunscreen. And I am still not the best at remembering.
I avoided it so well one time, that I burnt the tops of my feet. I was probably around 15 or so. My mom had told me a few times to be sure to use sunscreen on all the skin that was exposed. I did a pretty good on the rest of my skin but who thinks of the tops of their feet. Well after that happened to me I did get a little better about the sunscreen.
At first I wasn’t sure why I spent all those years avoiding sunscreen. Then I realized I didn’t like how much time it always takes to make sure you’re covered. And most of the time I wasn’t getting burnt. No burn, no damage right?
Oh thats not the case at all. The sun is pretty much always doing something to our skin. At least when we’re in it anyways. It can even get you through a window (at least one without UV ray protection).
A short run down on those rays we all like to catch. There are 2 kinds; UVB and UVA. UVB rays are the ones that burn. They do the damage to the surface and are what we all tend to use to judge when we’ve had enough sun. UVA rays are the ones that penetrate into the skin and cause wrinkles. These are the ones that are important to protect yourself from.
Now you know a little about the rays. 🙂 Lest talk about the actual sunscreen. Best time to apply is 15 minutes before heading outside. And be sure to reapply every hour or so. If you’re in the water reapply more often.
When you’re looking for the right sunscreen here’s a few things to look for. You want to be sure it’s safe for the reefs (even if you’re not going to be in the ocean, cause all water ends up there). And that the particles in the sunscreen aren’t so small they absorb into your blood. You have to watch out for chemicals oxybenzone and octinoxate.
After avoiding for so many years I have found one that I am in love with. It’s by Beautycounter. There are 3 different types; a spray (that is aerosol free), a face stick, and a lotion. Plus they just launched two spray screens that have tint in them. So now you don’t have to start out white and you’re protecting your skin at the same time. All of the products are reef safe.
I’m still not always the best as using sunscreen. I mean my cheeks are red from being in the sun too much today. But I’m always prepared. There’s a sunscreen by our back door, one in my purse and a handful in the bathroom.
I do try my hardest to remember the screen. What about you? Are you using the screen like you’re supposed to?
