Sunscreen Archives - 15 Minute Beauty Fanatic

Favorite Beauty Items for Summer Pool Days

Christine — Fri, 09 Aug 2019 16:25:34 +0000

Pool day beauty is a bit of a challenge. Sure, you need to slather on lots of sunscreen, but even when I’m in the pool with my family I like to have a little something more! I know I’m not the only one. Here’s a quick peek at a few of my favorites to help my skin and hair look their best, despite spending almost every afternoon in the pool this summer. 1. Chanel Inimitable Waterproof Mascara: This is seriously the best waterproof mascara ever. I tried pretty much every waterproof mascara out there when we put in our pool, and this one looks the same before and after swimming. It does not budge. Warning, if you rub your eyes when they are wet, your lashes might clump together a bit. But that’s it. I do a lot of hand stands and underwater swimming, I’m not the mom who swims around with her head above the water all the time. This is a must have! 2. Darshana Hair Oil: I’ve mentioned this hair oil treatment before, but it’s always worth mentioning again! We have a salt water pool, but my hair still gets dried out. Especially the ends of my…

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Easy Sunscreen Reapplication: Seriously Fab’s Zinc It Over Makeup Setting Spray

Christine — Tue, 05 Jun 2018 16:14:52 +0000

One of the questions I get asked most often is how to reapply sunscreen over makeup. I admit that I’m not a big fan of spray sunscreens typically, they don’t apply well over makeup (I know I’m not the only one that has had blotchy foundation after applying a spray sunscreen), and they are chemical rather than physical sunscreens. Chemical sunscreens can be irritating to the skin and aren’t safe during pregnancy. Seriously Fab’s Zinc It Over Makeup Setting Spray solves a lot of those issues. This is a nano-particle spray of zinc, so a physical sunscreen with very small particles that will not look chalky. It also covers the full UV spectrum. Makeup setting sprays aren’t something that I’ve used much over the years, but I admit that I’ve been using them more often over the last year or so. This one needs a good shake before use to get the zinc well distributed, and then you can spray it on right over your makeup (note, I do all of my makeup except for mascara, before I spray). It is completely clear, has a fine mist, and my spray was unscented, but they do make a version that I’ve…

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The Best Sunscreens for Hair

Christine — Wed, 02 May 2018 14:00:34 +0000

I’ve written a lot about sunscreens in the past, and but somehow there is a sunscreen topic I have never covered. How should you protect your hair from the sun? Is it good to just use a regular sunscreen in your hair or are there special sunscreens for hair? Yes, you should definitely be protecting your hair from UV rays every time you go out in the sun, especially if you color your hair! UV exposure will damage your hair and fade hair color. Avoiding the sun completely is obviously the best option, but let’s face it, you want to go outside sometimes, right? You can also seek shelter under shade, wear UV protectant hats (they’ll help protect your face from the sun as well), but a sunscreen for your hair is also a great idea! Unlike sunscreens for your body, there isn’t a current universal system in place to measure how much protection your hair is getting with a sunscreen. So there aren’t really numbers like SPF to follow along. You just have to assume that the products you are using are protecting your hair. Note, most sunscreens for your face/body can also be used in your hair. If…

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How to Correctly Apply Sunscreen

Christine — Wed, 28 Feb 2018 15:00:50 +0000

Sure, you have probably been “just fine” slathering on your sunscreen at the beach. But did you notice big spots that you missed later, or maybe you got sunburned? There is actually a correct way to apply sunscreen, and it will result in better protection for your skin. How Much Sunscreen Should You Use? How much product to use when you apply sunscreen really is a result of SPF testing. There is an internationally agreed upon standard of 2 mg sunscreen/cm2 of skin surface area to test for SPF. So, to reach the advertised SPF, you want to apply sunscreen so that you reach that amount of coverage on your skin. The “average adult” needs to apply 30 mL or 1 ounce of sunscreen. That’s the size of a shot glass. That means your bottle of sunscreen should not last you an entire summer! The 2 mg sunscreen/cm2 of skin standard is especially difficult to obtain for a powder sunscreen. Believe it or not, to get the actual SPF stated for a powder product, you would need to apply 1.2 grams of powder to an average woman’s face. What do most of us apply? 0.085 g, which is about 1/14th…

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Why Full Spectrum Sunscreen is Better Than Broad Spectrum

Christine — Mon, 26 Feb 2018 15:01:59 +0000

If you have read many of my sunscreen posts, you’ve likely noticed that I make a big distinction between broad spectrum and full spectrum sunscreen. But, you can’t go to the store and look for “full spectrum sunscreen”. Because I made that term up.** Why full spectrum rather than broad spectrum UV coverage? When the FDA changed sunscreen labels, they cracked down on those companies that claim their product is broad spectrum, which didn’t actually mean anything. Now, in order to claim a product is broad spectrum, there are criteria that need to be met. First, a product’s SPF is tested, for which only UVB coverage is measured. Next, based upon the SPF, a certain amount of coverage is needed at 370 nm, in the UVA I range. This sounds great, because it does mean that there’s some UVA coverage in addition to the UVB coverage. But, it also means that a product can be labelled as broad spectrum coverage without having any UVA II coverage. And there are quite a few products that are just like that! The good news is that you can achieve full spectrum UV coverage if you check the ingredient lists. The bad news is…

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Full Spectrum Body Sunscreens

Christine — Mon, 26 Feb 2018 15:00:05 +0000

Today I’m sharing full spectrum facial sunscreens and I thought it only made sense to add in some full spectrum body sunscreens!. You can check out what a full spectrum sunscreen is here. Full spectrum body sunscreens are a bit easier to find than facial sunscreens, but it is interesting to see that there is basically only one very commonly used chemical sunscreen combination, with very little variation. Note that this list is a combination of physical and chemical sunscreens, and they are not all pregnancy safe. Here is my post on Pregnancy Safe Full Spectrum Sunscreens. 1. MDSolarSciences Mineral Moisture Defense Body Broad Spectrum SPF 50 UVA-UVB Sunscreen Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide 2. Neutrogena Beach Defense Sunscreen Body Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 70 Avobenzone, Homosalate, Octisalate, Octocrylene, and Oxybenzone 3. Coppertone Water Babies Sunscreen Lotion SPF50 Avobenzone, Homosalate, Octisalate, Octocrylene, and Oxybenzone 4. Aveeno Natural Protection Lotion Sunscreen With Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide 5. Sun Bum SPF 50 Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion Avobenzone, Homosalate, Octisalate, Octocrylene, and Oxybenzone 6. EltaMD UV Sport Broad-Spectrum SPF 50 Zinc Oxide, Octinoxate, Octisalate 7. Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ WetForce for Sensitive Skin and Children Titanium…

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8 Full Spectrum Facial Sunscreens

Christine — Mon, 26 Feb 2018 15:00:00 +0000

Today I’m sharing full spectrum facial sunscreens. You can check out what a full spectrum sunscreen is here. They are surprisingly difficult to find because most sunscreens are just after that “broad spectrum” label. Full spectrum coverage is almost always a compromise I need to make when choosing the right sunscreen. When looking for a great facial sunscreen, I want super lightweight, no residue left behind and it needs to work well under makeup. All of these products fit that description! If you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, check out this post on Pregnancy Safe Full Spectrum Facial Sunscreens, BB & CC Creams. 1. Avene Mineral Ultra-Light Hydrating Sunscreen SPF 50 Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide 2. Lancôme Bienfait SPF 50+ Super Fluid Facial Sunscreen Avobenzone, Homosalate, Octisalate, Octocrylene, and Oxybenzone 3. Kate Somerville Daily Deflector Waterlight Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ Avobenzone, Homosalate, Octisalate, Octocrylene, and Oxybenzone 4. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide 5. Murad City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 PA++++ Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide 6. Neutrogena Age Shield Face Sunblock Lotion SPF 110 with Helioplex Avobenzone, Homosalate, Octisalate, Octocrylene, Oxybenzone 7. Clinique Super City Block Oil-Free Daily Face Protector…

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The Secret to Picking The Right Sunscreen

Christine — Sat, 24 Feb 2018 20:02:00 +0000

With so many sunscreens on the market, it is really hard to select one from all the masses to be “your” sunscreen. There are a lot of factors to take into account such as chemical vs physical ingredients, SPF, UVA protection, formulation, the list goes on and on! It’s completely overwhelming. Today we’ll look at a lot of the factors that go into picking the right sunscreen, and then I’ll share my secret for picking the right sunscreen for you! Physical vs Chemical Sunscreen • Physical sunscreens reflect light away from the skin while chemical sunscreens undergo a chemical reaction or change in structure to absorb the light. • Chemical sunscreens absorb UV radiation rather than reflecting it away from skin. The light can be used in a chemical reaction, slightly altering the chemical structure of the sunscreen itself, or be released as a different UV wavelength. Physical sunscreens are associated with less irritation and allergic reactions, but can feel much heavier on your skin and impart a white cast to skin. Chemical sunscreens have been found to absorb into skin, and have been found in urine samples. So, which ingredients are which? The physical sunscreens are Titanium Dioxide and…

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12 Common Sunscreen Mistakes

Christine — Sat, 24 Feb 2018 15:54:00 +0000

I’ve written a lot about sunscreen over the years, with good reason. It’s the #1 thing you can do to prevent damage to your skin, the largest organ in your body. That damage can result in cancer, but more superficially (and this is a beauty blog after all) who wants to deal with sunburn, freckling and hyperpigmentation and further down the road more photodamage induced aging? Not me! Even if you have the best of intentions, chances are that you’re making at least one of these 12 sunscreen mistakes. Take notes! 1. You’re not using enough That SPF number on your sunscreen bottle isn’t just randomly picked or calculated based upon some equation. It’s tested on real people in a set environment, and one of those set parameters is that the sunscreen is applied to be 2 mg/cm2 of skin surface area. That is a lot of sunscreen. For that average adult, you’ll need 30 mL (1 ounce, or a shot glass) of sunscreen As a general rule: • 1 ounce (30 mL) = 1 application to body • 1 tsp (5 mL) = face 2. You’re Not Reapplying So, the way that most sunscreen ingredients work (except for Zinc…

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Desert Beauty Must Haves from Raging Rouge

Christine — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 01:28:00 +0000

Today I have a great post from my friend Jen, she writes one of my favorite beauty blogs, Raging Rouge! Jen and I spend a lot of time talking about our mutual beauty obsessions, but we also share a love of shopping (especially all things Tory. She has helped me spend way too much money!) Today she’s sharing a few of her favorite products to cope with living in the desert. Recently she moved to the southwest and it has taken her much trial and error to readjust her routine! I hope some of her info can help you deal with the intense heat and sun of the desert. Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion ($39): I’ve been buying and rebuying this product since it was first released. It has been my go-to sunblock for vacations in the desert, and now that I’m a desert dweller I still use it regularly. It’s pricy, but this SPF50+ also wears beautifully under makeup and protects the skin from sun exposure for a long time. Active Ingredients: Octinoxate 7.4%; Octocrylene 3.0%; Titanium Dioxide 1.4%; Zinc Oxide 16.4%; Sun Bum Sunscreen Lip Balm ($4): The delicious tropical flavors offered by Sun Bum help remind you…

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