Sun Awareness Week

For the past 27 years, Canadian Dermatology Association, has been running events all over Canada, including free skin screenings, to help educated Canadians on the danger of excessive sun exposure. As the weather gets warmer, and the sun gets brighter and the days become longer, people tend to spend more time outdoors, but how often are they reapplying their sunscreen (if any) is the question? Did you know that almost half of Canadians are still not wearing sunscreen and more than 90% aren’t wearing it enough? This has to change. Sure, we all know how harmful the sun’s UV rays are, and how harsh and damaging it can be on our skin, but I think one of the main reasons why we’re not staying protected, is the simple fact we think the sunscreens haven’t changed since the 80’s. Long goes the days of thick, heavy and greasy formulas, most sunblock’s today come with a luxurious and silky formula and actually contain skin benefiting ingredients.

 If there’s one place on your body that you need to apply your sunscreen, it’s your face. You don’t want to look like an old catchers-mitt before your 30, do you? Cyberderm Every Morning Sun Whip SPF 25 is formulated with zinc oxide and octinoxate, that’s not only soothing and calming on the skin, but provides photo-stable protection against harmful UVB and UVA rays. It has an incredibly lightweight texture that applies transparent and blends into the skin smoothly. It sets to a cashmere matte finish with absolutely no white cast. It’s perfect for those with sensitive skin and since it leaves no chalky residue, like other zinc oxide sunscreens, it’s perfect for under foundation. It actually feels like your applying your favourite moisturizer, rather than a sunscreen, thanks to its hydrating formula. It retails for $38 for 50ml.

If your skin needs a little more moisture, try the Cyberderm Simply Zinc Sun Whip SPF 30. It features all the same benefits as the Every Morning Sun Whip SPF 25, but with a slightly more hydrating formula. Its rich and hydrating olive oil base formula applies smoothly, goes on completely clear and absorbs quickly. Not only does this keep you clear of sunburns, it’s created for those with sensitive skin, melisma or hyperpigmentation. It’s incredibly weightless formula doesn’t clog pores, which can cause breakouts and it doesn’t leave skin looking or feeling greasy or shiny. It leaves skin moisturized, nourished and hydrated, and it also acts as the perfect makeup base for under foundation. It retails for $38 for 50ml.

For those that tend to burn easily or looking for even more protect, Avène Eau Thermale High Protection SPF 50. It has an unique gel-like texture, and although does require some effort to apply and blend into the skin, its highly moisturizing and hydrating formula allows you to skip your daily moisturizer. It also does leave behind a slight white cast, because of its high SPF number, but nothing a little powder can’t take care of. Although not mattifying, it doesn’t look oily, shiny or greasy. It gives more of an illuminating glow, with almost a dewy finish, than straight up e like an illuminitating glow than straight up Casper the Ghost. ht white cast, because of its high SPF number, but itlike Casper the Ghost. Its lightweight texture doesn’t clog pores or cause breakouts, although I think it’s more suitable for those with normal to dry skin. It retails for $25 for 50ml.

Coppertone ClearlySheer Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 provides beach leave protection, but with an extremely lightweight, thin, gel-like formula. It’s water resistant for up to 80 minutes, the water really does seem to repeal and bounce off the skin. Its sheer formula blends into the skin with ease, leaving behind a completely matte finish. It has a refreshing and fresh citrus scent, with a soft floral aroma and retails for $9.99 for 147ml.

For those that still like the standard sunscreen lotion, Sun Bum Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion is my go-to brand of choice. It applies and feels more like a moisturizing lotion rather than a typical sunscreen. It feels incredibly hydrating on the skin, without feeling too heavy, sticky or greasy. You’ll never have that feeling of “I want to shower” with this lotion. It rubs into the skin easily, no whitening effect and doesn’t have that classic sunscreen scent, yet a fresh banana tropical aroma. It is offered in both SPF 15, SPF 30 and SPF 50 depending on how much of a tan you want to achieve. Each retails for $17.99 for 177ml.

Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion WetForce Broad Spectrum SPF 50 is formulated with a unique WetForce technology, which actually reacts to sweat when in contact with water. It becomes more powerful when exposed to areas of the body that are wet, making it perfect for running, swimming or any other outdoor activities this summer. It has a rich, creamy, slightly thick texture that still manages to absorb quickly, stay on the skin no matter what the elements and doesn’t leave a greasy or sticky residue. It’s also formulated with aloe, which provides a strong level of soothing properties and is free of all chemical sunscreen agents, fragrance, alcohol and parabens. It was created especially for those with sensitive skin and children, so if it’s good enough for kids, it is good enough for me. It retails for $49 for 100ml.

If you like a sunscreen that’s a cross between a liquid and a spray, you’ll love the Clarins Sun Care Milk-Lotion Spray SPF 20. It comes in a spray bottle format, but features a creamy, silky, milky consistency. It’s actually quite unique and extremely easy to use. Its lightweight milky lotion-like texture glides onto the skin easily, sinks in quickly and provides a natural-looking finish. It also promotes a more even tan by providing reinforced protection to preserve your skin’s youth and beauty, without a greasy, sticky or nasty white residue. It has a lovely tropical scent and provides all day moisture. It retails for $36 for 150ml.

Sticking with the spray bottle theme, Sun Bum Continuous Spray Sunscreen is perfect for those that don’t’ want to fuss with lotion. Its aerosol spray design sprays out evenly and continuously and dries instantly. The time you start to spray another area of your body, the first area is already completely dry. It’s ultra-lightweight, non-irritating, non-sticky formula sets and dries to a matte finish. It’s like you’re not wearing sunscreen at all. It’s enriched with vitamin E that helps to neutralize free radicals and keeps skin hydrated throughout the day. It’s offered in both SPF 15, SPF 30 and SPF 50 depending on how much of a tan you want to achieve. Each retails for $19.49 for 177ml.

Coppertone ClearlySheer Sunscreen Spray SPF 30 is much like the Sun Bum ones, but not only does it help protect against all UV rays, it has a slight soothing, hydrating formula. It goes on completely clear, with absolutely no white cast, is quick drying and sets to a matte finish. It’s perfect for touch-ups on the go, leaves skin feeling moisturized and doesn’t start to run down your body if you get wet or sweaty. Just remember, like all spray sunscreens, you want to spray each arm for 3 seconds, each leg for 7 seconds, front part of your body for 4 seconds and your back for another 4 seconds. If you’re applying on your face, spray onto your hands first then pat onto your face. It retails for $9.99 for 142g.

For all you extreme athletes or those that are extremely active in the hot summer months, you might want to take a look at the new Garnier Ombrelle Sport Endurance Lotion. It goes on clear, even when wet and is both water and sweat resistant for up to 80 minutes. Although you should be reapplying your lotion after you dip into the water or excess sweating, this sunscreen holds up for an entire day at the beach or by the pool. Not only does it absorb instantly, it never leaves behind a white residue. It features a lightweight, non-sticky and non-greasy formula that leaves you not only sun protected, but hydrated and refreshed. It’s hypoallergenic, is breathable and comfortable to wear the entire day. It’s offered in both SPF 30 and SPF 50 and retails for $16.99 for 231ml.

Your lips are an important part of your face, so don’t forget to keep them sun safe also. Did you know that 90% of lip balms don’t feature any sun protection and can actually make your lips more dry, sore and even burnt? Sun Bum Sunscreen Lip Balm SPF 30 in Coconut is formulated with aloe and vitamin E to not only help protect your lips, but it provides moisture and all day hydration. It has an incredibly rich and creamy texture that glides across the lips with ease and instantly penetrates deep down into the skin to give a healthy, shiny, look and feel. It’s comfortable to wear the entire day without feeling sticky, greasy or tacky. It retails for $4.99.

After hours out in the sun, and no matter how many times we re-apply our sunscreen, our skin is still left feeling hot, dry and itchy. I have two life-saving products that I turn to when I’m looking to reverse the damaging effects from over-exposed sunlight, Shiseido After Sun Intensive Recovery Emulsion and the new Hawaiian Tropic Ultra Radiance After Sun.

Shiseido After Sun Intensive Recovery Emulsion has a thin, gel-like texture that once applied to the skin gives an instant cooling effect. It quickly goes to work replenishing vital moisture loss and promoting natural balance back into your skin. It has a silky, dewy finish that not only penetrates deep down into the skin, without absolutely no sticky or greasy feeling, it actually helps to improve and prolong your tan. It’s an incredible soothing and repairing treatment that’s perfect for after a long day in the sun.

Hawaiian Tropic Ultra Radiance After Sun features a unique blend of shea butter and mango fruit extract that not only helps to condition and moisturize the skin, it leaves it feeling incredibly soft, soothed and radiant. It’s also formulated with light reflecting mica minerals to help add a soft shimmery sheen to your skin. It instantly helps to cool sunburns, reduce discomfort and restore lost moisture. It has a lightweight, creamy texture that applies and blends into the skin within seconds. It’s non-sticky, non-greasy and gives a boost of hydration after a long day. Skin is left feeling refreshed and cool with a sweet fruity scent. It retails for $10.99 for 240ml.