Mineral or chemical sunscreen? How about fake bake? And hair sunscreens? There are lots of new suncare products for your face, body and hair to protect from UVA and UVB rays. Here are must-haves for your beach-bag to protect and serve…
Time and time again you read that the most important beauty investment you can make is… sunscreen.
Did you know that New Zealanders only use one bottle of sunscreen between four people each year? We should be using a golfball amount each time to cover our body, but we are only using 41ml of sunscreen for the whole summer.
Each year, 16,000 people are diagnosed in NZ with various types of cancers excluding skin cancers, and a massive 67,000 are diagnosed with skin cancer, with 370 deaths a year. Rates are not levelling off despite the message slowly getting through, due to historic damage done in years past. It will take 20 years for rates to drop off.
Here are some key pointers from dermatologists:
Lifestyle changes are best i.e. wear a hat and shirt, and do sports in the early morning and late afternoon, not at midday
Dress children in rash shirts with sunscreen on hands and faces, and don’t let babies go in the sun
It’s important to use a broad spectrum sunscreen that has both UVA and UVB protection
It’s vital to use enough quantity of sunscreen
The higher SPF the better.
Mineral or chemical sunscreen? How about fake bake? And hair sunscreens? There are lots of new suncare products for your face, body and hair to protect from UVA and UVB rays. Here are must-haves for your beach-bag to protect and serve…
For the Face
The highest SPF we have seen is Neutrogena spectrum+ Advanced sunblock lotion SPF100 which, despite being so high in SPF and also waterproof, is ultra sheer and light on the face. Another high SPF waterproof face sunblock is Aveeno Continuous Protection SPF70 with soy and Vitamins A, C and E. Its Active Photobarrier Complex maintains protection over time rather than wearing out as the sun’s rays break down the structure of the barrier and reduce the sunblock’s effectiveness.
Rather than a chemical barrier some people – especially those with sensitive skins who react to chemical filters – prefer a physical barrier, which uses Zinc Oxide that sits on the skin reflecting away UVA and UVB.
Two mineral-based sunscreens out now are:
Invisible Zinc Face and Body Sunscreen SPF 30+ ($39.90 for 150ml), a low irritant sunscreen perfect for outdoor activities and also as a daily protective moisturiser beneath make-up, and suitable for sensitive skin.
Neutrogena Pure Screen has mineral-based filters instead of chemical filters. It is a physical sunscreen which sits on the skin’s surface, and is very gentle and mind.
The light touch Tinted Moisturisers
L’Oreal Paris UV Perfect Longlasting UVA/UVB Protector SPF50 now comes in a tinted moisturising lotion to protect from dark spots, skin darkening and premature ageing. The very light fluid texture creates a perfect base for make-up. It gives a healthy glow and even complexion.
NIVEA VISAGE Q10 Plus Tinted Day Cream $19.99 is a tinted moisturising formula with renowned anti-wrinkle benefits that also give skin a fresh and healthy glow.
For Children
My baby girl has already taken a shine to this one, due to its large metal clip which was too good to resist! Invisible Zinc Junior Clip On ($24.95 for 60ml) is a milky lotion version of their low irritant natural Junior sunscreen in a handy go-anywhere clip-on for school bags, sports bags, beach bags or prams. Free from harsh chemicals, parabens and irritants.
Neutrogena Pure Screen has a physical sunscreen for children of ANY ages – grownups too – called Pure & Free Baby SPF60 that won’t run into eyes and is waterproof.
Aveeno’s soothing oatmeal product range now includes Aveeno Baby SPF55, a sunblock lotion with active photobarrier complex maintaining broad specturm protection over time, and oatmeal to moisturise. This can be used by people of any age who want a moisturising effect with their sunscreen.
Fake Bakes
Fake it til you make it.
The at-home spray tan in a can Invisible Zinc Jet Set Tan ($49.90 for 150ml) is a translucent solution composed of sugars and Erythrulose, which react with the proteins of the skin and start working two hours after application. The unique delivery system mists-on evenly, with no need to rub or blend, and no messy dyes (for hands). Jet Set Tan dries instantly so you can dress directly afterwards.
Another spray-on tan is L’Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Airbrush-Effect, ensuring you have a safe summer tan all year round. Delivering gorgeous natural-looking results, Sublime Bronze illuminates skin for a flawless finish without streaks. Sublime Bronze is also available in a tinted gel giving an instant tan visible upon application.
For the Hair
Sebastian Professional Design Team Director, Joey Scandizzo says, “This summer’s all about big, flowing, natural-looking hair. Think Blake Lively and Elle Macpherson – it’s that effortlessly-styled look that screams ‘beach glamazon’.”
A key styling product for this season is Sebastian’s Taming Elixir, a weightless smoothing-crème serum. According to Joey, “Taming Exlixir should be thought of as a summer beauty essential – like tinted moisturiser or pink lip gloss. With UV, salt water and chlorine protection, it tames frizz and leaves hair feeling smooth, soft and light. It also helps stop hair from turning green after chlorine use, which means you can spend as much time lapping it up in the pool without doing damage.”
If your idea of a perfect summer’s day involves lazing on the beach for hours on end, it’s important to keep your locks hydrated. Joey recommends Sebastian’s Hydre deep-moisturizing treatment for intensive, long-lasting conditioning ($40). He says, “You wouldn’t think of lying in the sun all day without moisturising your skin afterwards… and your hair’s exactly the same – it requires nourishment and care after sun exposure. Hydre should be applied generously once or twice a week for silky, healthy and well-conditioned hair.”
To help master the natural, beachy-style, Sebastian’s new Volupt Spray ($40) is a great way to add extra body and enhance soft waves. According to Joey, “This revolutionary spray contains special cushion-particle technology, which creates high-impact volume and softness. With natural bamboo extract, it also has the added benefit of heat protection. For a perfect beach-chic look, simply spray on to towel-dried hair, scrunch in and leave to air-dry.”
The final summer hair-care essential is Sebastian’s Re-shaper hairspray ($34). “Re-shaper is the ‘little-black-dress’ of hair products because it works for every occasion – whether it’s a sleek, pulled-back ponytail for summer drinks or soft, bouncy waves for a weekend barbeque, it allows you to create any shape, anytime, anywhere, while protecting the style from the effects of humidity. The best feature of Re-shaper is that it’s completely brushable, so you can change your look as often as you want.”
The ever popular Kérastase Soleil collection returns to salons this summer with two new innovations, to help protect and repair your hair before, during and after sun exposure. The range can be used on all hair types, no matter how colour-treated or sensitised your hair may be.
The two latest products in the Soleil range Aqua Seal ($39) has a waterproof effect on hair before swimming, and Lait Richesse ($45), a daily repair care treatment to leave on for 5 minutes and wash out. Both contain Ceramide to reinforce the hair cuticle and Provitamin B5 to improve water retention, making hair fibre more supple.
And to prep hair before sun exposure and repair it afterwards, try Paul Mitchell shampoo and conditioner. Specially formulated to hydrate and revive dry, dull tresses, Paul Mitchell Instant Moisture Daily Shampoo ($27.95) not only hydrates dry hair (which I have) but it helps protect against sun damage, as we don’t always go out wearing a hat. The Daily Treatment ($36.95) contains shea butter and soy proteins to moisturise, and gives UV protection. It also smells really refreshing and the soft touch bottles are a pleasure to use in the shower.
Stay sun smart and safe, all summer long.
By Megan Robinson, 8 October 2010.
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