SUNSCREEN!!!

It's that time of year when we should all be thinking about sunscreen... I mean, technically we should be using sunscreen year-round (in the Northern Hemisphere the sun is actually closer to the earth in winter time - ha, who knew?).

Anyway...in light of the fact that summer is definitely here I just wanted to share my thoughts about SUNSCREEN!!!

There are 3 types of sunscreen out there: Physical sunscreens, Chemical Sunscreens, and a combination of both.

Physical sunscreens are made of either (or a combination of both) Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. Remember the movies from the 80's? The lifeguards on the beach with the white on their noses? Yeah... physical sunscreen. A physical sunscreen has small mineral particles that sit on your skin and REFLECT THE SUNLIGHT AWAY. So it doesn't even hit your skin. It would be the equivalent of wearing tiny little hats all over your skin. Today's technology allows for Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide to be milled superfinely - you shouldn't look white or pasty when covered in a physical sunscreen.

Chemical sunscreens are every other type of sunscreen other than Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide... Parsol 1789, Oxybenzone, avobenzone, PABA, Mexoryl, etc.

It is MY PERSONAL BELIEF that chemical sunscreens are dangerous and can lead to cancer...and oddly enough studies of late have been backing up my personal little theory.

Chemical sunscreens require about 20-30 minutes of time to absorb into your skin to form a chemical bond that prevents your body from absorbing UV rays, whereas physical sunscreens provide immediate protection upon application.

I do not wear chemical sunscreens...

My favorite physical sunscreens include the ones by Juice Beauty which come in an SPF15 and SPF 30, Cliniderm makes one in an SPF45 (this one is my personal fave), and Avene makes them all the way up to SPF50. Avene used to be one of my fave brands, until the started replacing some of the natural oils in their ingredients with Mineral Oils (bad bad bad). So read the labels, especially on the Avene ones, just to make sure they haven't snuck in some mineral oil.

The Juice Beauty ones come in Light, Medium, and Dark, so they're like tinted moisturizers. If you're highly sensitive, this brand might not work for you because they have a lot of fruit juices in them (AHAs). Sephora has a full money-back guarantee, so you can always return them if they give you a reaction - they are definitely worth a try though (unless you're crazy sensitive - then just stay away!).
Cliniderm is made by dermatologists to address the most sensitive of skin types. If you're highly sensitive, source this brand out. Honestly...if you can't find it near where you live, then get it on eBay - it truly IS the best!
Avene goes on a little bit white, so they really only seem to work for the palest of skin tones - the rest of us either shouldn't use them, or get to used to the grey, pallid complexion it leaves behind.