Have a Wonderful Sun-Safe Weekend!

I have had a horrendous week and I cannot believe I did not have a chance to get much posted at all. I am so sorry about this. I usually have posts in queue in case something like this past week happens, but I guess it goes to show just how busy I have been that I had nothing prepared when life threw us a little curve.

Alas, it is the weekend. A long weekend for most of us. The first "unofficial" weekend of summer. As we  all prepare to head outside more and more, I thought it was appropriate to send out another little reminder on how important sunscreen is.

You need to use sunscreen. Daily. I know it is hard and I admit I don't use it everyday except for on my face. But in the spring and summer when I plan on spending alot of time outside, I do use it and apply it before getting dressed. Not only does wearing sunscreen help prevent skin cancer, it protects you from the rays that make you look older, faster. If that is not reason enough, than I don't know what is.

Sun and Sunscreen tips:

• Use a sunscreen that is factor 15 or over for adequate protection from UV.
• Reapply sunscreen throughout the day.
• Go into the shade between 12 noon and 3pm, as this is when the sun is at it's most damaging.
• Don't binge tan (sunbathing for intense periods). A tan will build up gradually through normal sun exposure.
• Don't intentionally try to get burnt - a lot of young people believe that burning = tanning. But sunburn is not necessary for your skin to get a tan.

Here is a look back at some of my favorite sunscreen, after-sun products and the healthy alternatives of self-tanner:

My everyday sunscreen of choice

Just in case you get burned

Repair and soothe

One of my favorite self-tanning lines

Look like you spent the weekend in the Mediterranean

Enjoy the weekend!

Clinique After Sun Balm to the Rescue.

What do you get when you get an unseasonable hot and sunny day during the month of April in Massachusetts? With two little anxious boys that just HAD to slip and slide the afternoon away? Besides the fun and reminder that summer is fast approaching, my babies got burned! And talk about a Mom feeling bad. No mother of the year award for me (again!).

I will admit that I forgot to slather my boys in sunscreen. Morning sunscreen application is simply a part of our Summer routine, but this day came out of nowhere. The fact that is was after 3 in the afternoon, I honestly didn't give it much thought either.

My already new summer necessities include this After Sun Rescue Balm from Clinique. And as my Joey says, "Ahh, Mom, that feels soooo good.", I know it provides instant soothing relief.

This must have in your summer kit is an ultra-moisturizing balm. Formulated with soothing aloe, this lotion calms sun-exposed skin. Not only is it instant, it provides post-sun repair to help prevent it from doing long term skin damage. It is also said to prevent peeling and may be used on both the body and the face.

It smells great too, and the yellow tube doesn't make my boys think they are getting slathered with anything too girly! ;)

Check out Clinique Rescue Balm with Aloe at Clinique counters as well as online. The tube is $20, and as a little goes a long way, this will last you through the summer. Of course, applying sunscreen daily will prevent any of this from happening in the first place.

Cool, Soothe and Rehydrate Skin with Liz Earle Sun Shade.

After a wonderful day at the beach this week, I was left with a bit of a burn on the back of my shoulders and neck. I thought I was protected, but I think the salt water quickly washed away my sunscreen where I needed it most (the waves were HUGE!).

That night, I looked quickly to see what I had to help soothe my burn that was heating up - and fast.  I grabbed Sun Shade Botanical Aftersun Gel from Liz Earle and her Naturally Active Skincare line.

 

When you see the name Sun shade, I am sure you think of a sunblock, right? Well, in this case Sun Shade is actually a product to bring your skin the shade with it's cooling botanical ingredients - to help skin cool down after a bit of too much sun.

This gel not only cools and calms the heat, as it melts over the skin, it is absorbed. You are never left with sticky or greasy residue. Made with organic aloe vera, cucumber, lavender and natural Vitamin E, featuring a cool menthol scent, I only needed one application to help soothe my skin - so I could sleep free of sunburn pain.