We all love rockin’ a sun-kissed GLOW, but we also want healthy skin & longevity! Here are smart ways to ensure we have BOTH!
I Thought Actually Tanning Your Skin Was SO 1980’s??
Apparently not….
Ok – I know I’m not the only one who was freaking shocked, at last week’s news story:
The rates of melanoma (the deadliest skin cancer) increased 800% in women 18-39 from 1970-2009 making it the 2nd most common cancer in that age group. 800%. That’s not a typo.
Not only that – but it’s still on the rise!? I don’t get it. It’s not like the dangers of too much sun exposure is written in some obscure medical journal. No – warnings on the negative effects of too much sun are ubiquitous. It is literally in every beauty and fashion magazine, all over TV & the internet. Plus, thousands of beauty products emphasizing the SPF factor to help “avoid wrinkles and pre-mature aging of the skin.” Helloooo?
The warnings aren’t just about skin cancer, which should be enough in and of itself. There’s also the fact that nothing ages your skin faster than the sun. So, if the cancer thing isn’t going to get your attention – then the looking old as crap thing, should…. Right?
Tanning beds…..seriously?
Did you think tanning beds were a thing we left behind in the 80’s? So did I. Nope. Women – especially younger women are still hitting the tanning beds?? Even when it’s just as easy to Mystic instead. I think especially for younger women (like under 25), the problem lies in the latent effects of too much sun exposure. Skin cancer, wrinkles and leathery skin come later down the pike, so – they don’t worry about it or pay much attention to the rest of us harking on it.
Pale skin used to be in!
A long time ago, pale skin was in! It was considered a symbol of wealth and privilege, because it meant you weren’t out in the fields working. Tanned skin represented the lower or working classes and was considered undesirable. At a certain point – that all changed. Bronzed, sun-kissed skin was seen as sexy, healthy – and a sign of affluence because it was thought that one could afford to travel to luxuriously sunny places.
But I Still Want a Tan, Man!
Best Self-Tanners + Best SPF Products = A true healthy glow!
Let’s be real, we love a bronzy sun-kissed summery look, right? Me too! I mean, a tan just makes your body look a smidge better and leaner. I live in San Diego, and uh – we basically want to be tan 24/7/365. Because of this, I’ve tried so many different self-tanners, bronzers, sprays, mousses (is that a word?), tanning sheets, powders – you name it, I’ve given it a go.
Knowing the incredible damage that too much sun exposure can do to your skin and to your health, I’ve researched, vetted and found what I feel are some of the very best sun-protection products on the market. Everyone undoubtedly has their favorites – but these are my personal fave’s for Self-Tanning and SPF Protection.
Best Self-Tanners
BODY
St. Tropez Bronzing Mousse
Best on medium-light and medium skin tones
What it is + Why You’ll Love It
A self-tanner in a light, foamy mousse, that you apply with a mitt. I use 2 mitts because it’s faster, and I find I get better coverage. It dries within 60-90 seconds without any kind of a weird smell and gives a beautiful, even, golden color without looking orangey or fake. IMO, this is best for medium-light and medium+ skin tones.
St. Tropez Gradual Tan Lotion
Perfect on paler skin or those wanting gradual, natural color
What it is + Why You’ll Love It
This is a buildable self-tanner in a hydrating lotion. It gives gradual, natural color over time vs more intense color within a few hours, as is the case with the mousse or mist.
“It puts the lotion on its skin”. Apply lotion daily until you reach the depth of color you like best! The Light/Medium version is great on paler skin tones, plus it’s super hydrating!
Neutrogena Micro-Mist
Fine mist – easy to get your back without help
What it is + Why You’ll Love It
I love the Micro-Mist. It dispenses in a fine, light mist giving good coverage and a golden, beautiful color. I always use the Mist on my hands, instead of the St. Tropez mousse because I like my hands to be just a touch lighter than the rest of my body. The darker color on hands can make them look a little old, IMO. I also like that with the mist, it’s easier to get back-coverage! Just bend over at the waist and spray over your shoulder. 😉
+ Try 3 Deep for medium skin tone
+ Try 2 Medium for paler skin tone
Body Blur Instant Skin Finish
Winner of Allure magazine’s ‘Best of Beauty’ Award for Best Body Bronzer, 2018
What it is + Why You’ll Love It
Unlike the mousse & spray options whose color last for days, this is a wash-off, skin-finishing body makeup that blurs skin imperfections! It gives skin a natural-looking tint and reflects the light with a slight shimmery sheen. Perfect for last minute “I want to wear a dress but my legs are blinded by the white” situations.
Use it to enhance legs and arms on its own, or over self-tanner to blur out any lingering imperfections that bug. Super luxurious looking. BONUS: It’s also amazing as a makeup primer!
For the Body, Re-Cap
+ St. Tropez Mousse
+ St. Tropez Lotion
+ Neutrogena Mist
+ Body Blur Skin Finish, Allure 2018 “Best of Beauty” Winner
FACE
Beauty Blur, Skin Tone Optimizer
The face version of award-winning Body Blur
What it is + Why You’ll Love It
This does for the face, what the Body Blur does for the body! Gives face a light, beautiful, radiant glow while blurring imperfections and enhancing skin tone with sun-kissed color. We like that! First, cleanse, moisturize and apply your SPF. Then use a pea-sized amount of Beauty Blur on your face & décolletage, apply makeup per the usual – and…. Hi gorgeous!
Dr. Dennis Gross, Glow-Pad Towelette
This is an exfoliating self-tanner that comes in a box of (20) individually packaged towelettes. You just swipe it gently over your face, neck and chest – and it gives a natural, healthy glow vs a “heavy tan” look. The formula boosts radiance by combining active vitamin D, alpha and beta hydroxyl acids and nourishing extracts.
I like the results with this product. It does gives a healthy glow that blends nicely if you go a little darker on the rest of your body and it’s not drying, which is huge!
For the Face, Re-Cap:
+ Beauty Blur, Skin Optimizer
+ Dr Dennis Gross, Glow Towelette
Protecting our Skin!
Best SPF’s + What We Can Do Each Day
Ok, so we’ve talked about safe ways to get a pretty tan without ruining our skin, and exposing ourselves to skin cancer – but here are a few Best Practices we can implement everyday, to protect ourselves from the sun. Because unless you live under a rock – sun exposure is non-discriminatory. It’s a factor for everyone.
Slather yourself daily, with high-quality SPF must-haves
SPF’s From My Personal Stash 😉
Supergoop SPF 50 Daily Lotion
Water resistant for everyday use
I love that this is water-resistant. Even if you’re not going swimming, we still sweat a little – so I’d rather just err on the side of safety and use a water-resistant formula. This one is fast-absorbing, lightweight and non-greasy. I like that it’s an SPF 50 that protects skin from photo-aging and dehydration. Yes please!
It smells good! It’s made with natural extracts of citrus, basil and bois de rose so it doesn’t smell like sunscreen. Bonus: It’s got rosemary leaf extract, for a calming effect on the skin and it’s rich in antioxidants.
Supergoop SPF 45 Setting-powder with Refills
Reapply SPF throughout the day without ruining makeup!
A 100% mineral and sweat-resistant SPF 45 powder, perfect for reapplying broad-spectrum UV protection throughout the day without f-ing up your makeup! I love that in addition to providing SPF, this powder reduces shine and leaves a soft-focus matte finish. Oh – and it comes with 2-refills!
Any dermatologist will tell you, we should re-apply sunscreen every 2-3 hours. This is the ultimate way to do that – without mucking up your make-up. To the contrary, this powder actually freshens makeup and softens the look of skin. I’ll take 2 please!
Clinique SPF 45 Advanced Protection Stick
(for delicate areas like nose, lips, scars)
This is great if you’re at the beach, or by the pool and want to ensure extra-protection for fragile areas like lips, nose, earlobes and even scars. It’s slightly sticky, which is why I say great for beach or by the pool – vs if you’re at work or running around during the day. I prefer the Supergoop SPF Powder for normal daytime, but love this Clinique stick if we’re at the beach and I want to target easily-burned areas like the nose!
Kiehls SPF 30 Butterstick Lip Treatment
Tinted lip treatment – gorgeous on!
I love this stuff. It’s a light, sheer-tinted lip balm with SPF 30 to protect lips! Super hydrating, nourishing and moisturizing, infused with coconut oil and lemon butter! The color pay-off is noticeable but sheer. Perfect for year round.
Best SPF’s, Re-Cap
+ Supergoop SPF 50 Daily Lotion
+ Supergoop SPF 45 Setting Powder
+ Clinique SPF 45 Protection Stick
+ Kiehl’s SPF 30 Butterstick Lip Treatment
Hi! Here’s How We Can Protect Ourselves, Daily:
+ The sun is strongest between 10-2pm. Avoid direct sun exposure during those times
+ Always wear broad spectrum SPF 30 or more
+ Re-apply your SPF every 2 hours
+ Tanning beds…. Just don’t.
+ Wear sunglasses & a wide-brimmed hat outside, even when poolside under an umbrella.
+ Tint car windows to protect against UVA/UVB exposure
+ Sun damage is cumulative. Even walking from the gym to the car adds up. Slather on sunscreen even if you’re “just going home”.
