expert advice: don't shun the sunscreen

After this endless winter, spring is finally starting to show its face. Which means summer isn't far behind. As the weather warms up, don't leave home without your SPF.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 70 percent of adults do not apply sunscreen regularly and more than one-third of the U.S. population reported experiencing sunburn in the previous year. These are alarming statistics, especially since melanoma and sun-induced skin cancers are increasing each year. Here, Dr. Ranella Hirsch, noted Boston dermatologist, explains how to properly apply sunscreen so your skin is protected from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

Q: When should you use sunscreen?

Dr. Hirsch: The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that a broad-spectrum water-resistant sunscreen of at least SPF 30 be used year round.

Q: Where should you apply sunscreen?

Dr. Hirsch: Sunscreen should be applied to any exposed skin. This includes, minimally, the face, décolleté, and backs of hands and forearms, but should be adapted for an individual’s weather and clothing.

Q: If you’re using a sunscreen on your face, what should the order be (if you’re also using makeup etc.?)

Dr. Hirsch: Always apply sunscreen first.

Q: When should you apply sunscreen?

Dr. Hirsch: Always apply at least 30 minutes before going outdoors.

Q: How much sunscreen needs to be applied to the face and body and how often should you reapply?

Dr. Hirsch: One ounce, or the amount needed to fill a shot glass, is considered to be an ample amount to protect exposed skin. Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours and more frequently if you are sweating or swimming.

Protect Your Skin: Vichy Capital Soleil Soft Sheer Sunscreen Lotion provides water-resistant broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection in a lightweight, non-greasy formula. The sunscreen contains a unique combination of effective UV filters with Vitamin E and White Grape Polyphenol, powerful antioxidants to protect skin at the cellular level.

Vichy Capital Soleil Soft Sheer Sunscreen Lotion is available in SPF 30 ($27.50, 5 fl. oz.) and SPF 60($29.50, 5 fl. oz.) and is sold at select CVS/pharmacy, Duane Reade and Walgreens stores, and sold online at www.vichyusa.com.

look like the balm

Need a touch of color but can't get to the beach? Smooth on Balm Shelter Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 18 ($25). It improves tone and texture so your skin looks smooth. Plus, it's tinted for an added dose of color and has spf 18 to protect you from the sun's harmful rays. I wore it yesterday and it really helped minimize fine lines--you know, the ones you really want to hide! As far as the tint goes, the challenge is in finding a shade to match your skin tone. It comes in light, lightweight and medium. I tried light/medium which seemed at little too light at first but blended in perfectly. A definite must-have for your summer makeup bag. See more at www.thebalm.com.

expert advice: tips for choosing a sunscreen, from Rhea Grous, La Suite Skin Care

When it comes to the sun, protection is key. Rhea Grous, beauty guru and owner of La Suite Skin Care, offers this advice for choosing the right sunscreen and using it correctly.

1. USE A BROAD SPECTRUM SUNSCREEN WITH A MINIMUM SPF of 15. It covers all the spectrum of sun rays. Look for a product that has ingredients such as transparent zinc oxide or titanium dioxide which are best for sensitive skin. (This is a physical sunscreen that reflects the sun). Some key chemical ingredients found in broad spectrum sunscreens are oxybenzone, avobenzone, and mexoryl (ecamsule). People with sensitive skin should avoid too many chemicals as they may cause irritation.

2. APPLY SUNSCREEN 30 MINUTES BEFORE AND REAPPLY EVERY TWO HOURS TO GET THE PROPER COVERAGE. In order to maintain the proper strength and coverage, sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours. Also, heat will deteriorate the efficacy of sunscreen, therefore reapplying is a MUST. To avoid compromising the potency of protection, don’t leave your sunscreen in hot places!

3. LOOK FOR ANTI-OXIDANTS (Vitamin C and E) - they increase protection! Many sunscreens today contain anti-oxidants to strengthen their effectiveness and to offer added protection against free radicals preserving the anti-aging process. When it comes to the face and neck areas, I recommend applying vitamin C serum separately (Skinceuticals is our favorite at La Suite), then apply sunscreen. It strengthens the immune system of the skin while making it twinkle. This layering process maximizes protection against aging, burning, and skin cancer.

4. LOOK OUT FOR ADDED INGREDIENTS THAT MAY IRRITATE SKIN - Some sunscreens may include too many chemicals (to achieve broad spectrum), fragrances, preservatives and other ingredients that may cause skin reactions, particularly for sensitive skin types.

5. WATCH FOR LABELS – Read carefully and be aware, all labels are NOT always factual! Look for water resistant products; if it says waterproof, it's not accurate as it can it can be washed off. Look for sunscreen, not sunblock – no product blocks uv sun rays, it screens harmful rays. (There is no bullet proof vest!) Watch out for all day protection. No sunscreen lasts all day – see #2 and reapply every 2 hours! (*Note - Physical sunscreen works by reflecting the sun and has less chemicals that may irritate sensitive skin; chemical sunscreen works by absorbing the sun and transferring it into heat.)

No matter which sunscreen you choose, follow these tips to sun safely for a healthy, happy summer. For more info on Rhea Grous or La Suite, go to www.lasuiteskincare.com.

national sun protection day: protect your skin from the sun with Anthelios

Today, Thursday, May 27th is National Sunscreen Protection Day. Why all the hype about lotioning up? Here are the facts:

~1 in 5 Americans will get skin cancer.

~Skin cancer is the #1 cancer, topping breast, prostate and lung. 90% of early Melanoma can be cured, if caught early.

~Over 2 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed every year, worldwide. This figure is set to double between 2000-2015.

Feel like you're just sitting idly by doing nothing for the cause? To show your support, purchase the Limited Edition SOS SaveOurSkin Orange Ribbon Pin ($5) from La Roche-Posay and proceeds from each sale will help support the Women’s Dermatologic Society and SOS mission. Check out http://www.sossaveourskin.com/ and Share Your Story. You’ll help spread awareness and La Roche-Posay will help you protect your skin with an SOS gift certificate redeemable toward the purchase of any Anthelios product. My favorite: Anthelios 40 Sunscreen Cream, complete with Parsol 1789, Mexoryl SX and both UVA and UVB protection. The best part: It doesn't contain Vitamin A, often used as an antioxidant in sunscreens, which has recently been reported to increase the spread of melanoma. Other great Anthelios products to try: Anthelios SX Daily Moisturizer ($29.95), Anthelios 45 Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid for Body ($34.00) and Anthelios 60 Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid for Face ($27.90). Go to http://www.laroche-posay.us/ to purchase your orange ribbon now.

breakthrough beauty: age eraser

prettyisprettydoes

gives you

an exclusive preview

of FOX TV's Good Day Dallas

Breakthrough Beauty feature...

as reported by Susan Redstone

I loved being 17. High school parties, boyfriends, never-ending summers...and great looking skin. Fast-forward a few years (ok, maybe more than a few) and I wish I could turn back the hands of time just a bit. Well, enough to erase some fine lines, crow's feet, age spots and other telltale signs of growing older. Seems like Maybelline New York has been reading my mind. The company's newly debuted Instant Age Rewind Collection, featuring The Eraser Treatment Makeup ($12.99), changes the concept of anti-aging for good. The Eraser is clinically proven to provide immediate results that reduce the signs of aging skin – going beyond covering and actually erasing. The micro-corrector sponge applicator gets into all of your skin's nooks and crannies, allowing coverage to reach fine lines and wrinkles so they can ultimately be erased. An advanced treatment formula provides perfecting coverage, instantly evening out skin tone, while blurring away imperfections and age spots for a more youthful, radiant finish. It contains the highly touted anti-aging ingredient, Goji berry, which features one of the highest concentrations of antioxidants ever, plus 19 amino acids, hundreds of times more Vitamin C per ounce than oranges, and four polysaccharides, which stimulate collagen production and help tighten and firm skin at the micro level. And they even remembered the sunscreen! SPF 18 protects skin from future damage so skin looks smoother and more radiant even without makeup. Just twist the product up into the sponge (just a small amount on the sponge will do) and apply to your skin. It's comfortable to wear and really blends in well. To find one of the 12 shades that suits your skin color (I like creamy natural), go to www.maybelline.com, then head to your local drug store to purchase.

escape the winter: mineral sun protection

Just when I thought mineral beauty products couldn't get any better, I found Colorscience micronized mineral sun protection--perfect timing with winter vacations just around the corner. Colorescience Sunforgettable has SPF 30 as well as UVA and UVB protection. But the appeal isn't only in the breakthrough formula, it's also in the totally innovative packaging. Leave messy tube applicators and oily bottles behind. This mineral sunscreen is available in shaker can, dispensing brush or roller ball applicators. The shaker is great for hard-to-reach areas like your face, neck and shoulders and comes in a clear, perfectly clear or almost clear shade. The powder shakes easily out of the can and smooths into skin. The dispenser brush distributes just the right amount of powder to the face and neck and is great for more targeted areas like the sides of the nose or those prone-to-burn eyelids. The roller ball applicator covers larger surface areas so use it all over your body. No matter which you choose, you get the same great formula and unforgettable protection on your skin. I don't know about you but my vacation can't come soon enough! Available at fine day spas, resorts, dermatologist and plastic surgeon offices and makeup artists’ studios, Colorscience has attracted celebrity fans like Cameron Diaz, Katherine Heigl, Kelly Rowland and Christina Aguilera. For more information visit:www.colorescience.com.

sunscreen you can count on

Just because summer is almost over, doesn't mean you should bag the sunscreen. But who can remember the SPF when you're slipping into sweaters and boots? Cosmedix comes to the rescue with three great products designed to give you all the protection you need whenever you step out into the great outdoors. One of my favorites is Hydrate + Daily Moisturizer SPF 17 ($46). I love the rich, creamy formula that smells a bit like a nourishing clay mask. If you can't get to your local day spa for a treatment, smooth this on and you'll feel hydrated throughout the day. For straight-on sun protection, try Reflect SPF 30 Natural Sunscreen ($44). It's extremely lightweight (you'll barely notice you're wearing it!) and comes in a spray-on bottle that helps you distribute it evenly (the other products come with pump applicators). Plus, it leaves your skin feeling smooth and dewy. For even more protection, try Serious Protection SPF 28 Sunscreen ($42), a thicker formulation that smells slightly citrusy and smooths into skin easily. Try one or rotate them all! If you like the brand, check out the rest of the Cosmedix collection--designed to treat oily skin, hyperpigmentation and photo damage--on www.cosmedix.com.

go for the bronze

I've been using my Clinique sunscreen religiously for a month now and I couldn't be happier. Clinique Sun New SPF 50 Face Cream ($17.50) and Spf 50 Body Cream ($20) with SolarSmart UVA/UVB advanced protection have won the Skin Cancer Foundation's Seal of Recommendation, thanks to their non-greasy formulas that are oil-free, water- and sweat-resistant, non-clogging and great for those with sensitive skin. I've even been carrying the New SPF 45 Targeted Protection Stick ($17.50) in my bag for areas I tend to forget like lips and under eyes. But now that the summer is coming to a close, I can't wait to switch to Clinique's Self Sun Face Tinted Lotion ($20) and Body Tinted Lotion ($20). The face lotion acts like a bronzer and makes you look tan as soon as you smooth it on, but will turn into a natural-looking self-tan in two to three hours. Watch your tan appear before your very eyes! The body lotion (I tried light/medium) works the same way--and the fact that you can see the color where you apply it helps you avoid an unnatural, streaky or splotchy look you can get from other self-tanners. Next on my list to try: The Body Airbrush Spray ($20), which offers natural-looking color similar to a professional airbrush tan. It dries in three to five minutes and color starts to emerge in under an hour. With skin color this warm and natural, I'm sure I'll barely notice the change of season... Go to www.clinique.com and choose the formula that's right for you. And don't forget your sunscreen; Self Sun doesn't have SPF which you'll still need this fall.

here comes the sun

We've all heard the warnings about protecting your skin from the sun. And women who protect their skin daily with SPF reduce the risk of developing skin cancer. According to Dr. Zein Obagi, it's never too late to incorporate SPF in your daily routine. To protect your hands from wrinkles, dry skin and sun spots: Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 20 or higher. Keep one in your bag and one in your car since UVA rays are transmitted through glass. Try ZO Skin Health Oraser Daily Hand Repair SPF 20 ($65) to protect from UV damage, lock in moisture, even skin tone. To protect your face without clogging your pores or leaving a greasy residue: Choose ZO Skin Health’s Oclipse Sunscreen + Primer SPF 30 ($65). It's also a great makeup primer. ZO Skin Health products are available at select Nordstrom retailers and STUDIO at Fred Segal as well as online. To help encourage women to protect their skin this summer, Dr. Obagi is offering a special online deal until May 31st. Go to www.zoskinhealth.com, buy a full size of either product and get a travel size gift with purchase.

mission possible

Skin care products often promise you the world--with claims that they're sweat-resistant, vitamin infused, skin healing... But do they deliver? Some of the world's top athletes have said no--until now. Introducing Mission Skincare, a collection of skin care remedies designed and tested by professional athletes. Since they're always looking for gear that might improve their performance and are big fans of sunscreen, moisturizers and balms, cosmetic industry veteran Josh Shaw asked athletes for their feedback when developing a line of skin care products just for them. There are five products in Mission's Get-Fit Skincare Kit (all under $20): Revive Gel High Performance Moisturizer for face and body designed to soothe, heal and condition; Anti-Friction Cream to defend skin and relieve chafing, Foot Synergy Gel to energize and condition before an activity and soothe and relieve inflammation afterward; Daily Offense SPF 30 stick with UVA/UVB protection; and Lip Protector SPF 20 All-Star Lip Protection in a tiny tube with a pointed applicator. All products are totally totable and easy to apply during a workout. In further pursuit of their Mission, the company has developed a line of athlete engineered lip balms: Try Tennis star Serena William's Pomegranate Lip Balmer SPF 15; pro snowboarder Gretchen Bleiler's Sweet Vanilla Lip Balmer SPF 15; pro skateboarder Ryan Scheckler's Orange Lip Balmer SPF 15 for long lasting protection and great orange flavor; gold medal swimmer Amanda Beard's Organic Strawberry Lip Balmer SPF 15 in a delicious strawberry flavor and a classic Mission Mint Lip Balmer SPF 15 which offers unbeatable protection. Check them all out at www.missionskincare.com. Mission accomplished!

just breathe

I've always been up for trying out new eyeliners, lip glosses and skincare products but foundations are another story. I guess there's just something about covering my pores with makeup that always made me a bit uneasy--until I discovered Barry Knapp, developer of the new Oxygenating Breathable Foundation. His passion? Studying the science of oxegeniology and its ability to heal and affect each individual genetically. After working with plastic surgeons on products that would provide coverage and help heal, minimize and eliminate procedural scars, Knapp created the air-permeable foundation. The secret ingredient: Ceravitae Complex, a patent-pending formula proven to increase oxygen uptake, stimulate skin cell production and speed the healing process. And the fact that it's water-resistant for up to 90 minutes, contains SPF 25 and comes in seven blendable, color-corrective shades makes it just as appealing to those of us who haven't undergone procedures as well. Definitely worth a try, right? I smooth some on and watch it effortlessly disappear into my skin. As the official makeup director of the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, Knapp recommends three ways to use it. "Apply it with your fingers to get into all the little grooves, use a sponge if you want to detail it out or try a washable, acrylic brush." He suggests applying in downward strokes, keeping in the direction of hair growth, and insists on continuing past the jawline, covering the face and neck. The best part: It won't come off until you take it off! For more info, check out www.oxygenetix.com.