The Difference Between Body Lotion With SPF and Body Sunscreen

My fair-skinned roommate came home the other weekend frantically searching for aloe to soothe a bright red sunburn down the front of her legs. No, she hadn't been at the beach or lying out on a rooftop—she was just running errands on a sunny day. "I need an everyday body lotion with SPF so I'm always covered," she declared. Sounds like a no-brainer, I thought, there must be tons. Only...not so fast.

A search of my local Sephora, Duane Reade, and the Allure beauty closet turned up plenty of sunscreens and endless body lotions, but only a handful of body lotions with sunscreen—and they all had a pretty low SPF level. I asked cosmetic chemist Randy Schueller (who also edits thebeautybrains.com) to tell me why:

"To be an effective sunscreen, a product must form a good film on skin and be resistant to sweating,” he explained. “Once you formulate a product to meet these criteria, it's less likely to look and feel like a body lotion." Which explains why body lotions with SPF tend to only go as high as 20: "The higher the SPF value, the more 'sunscreen stuff' a formula needs to have. And products with a lot of those ingredients tend to feel heavy and greasy and leave a white residue on your skin unless you rub them in really well.” Not exactly what you want from your body lotion.

So there you have it. If you're looking for serious sun protection, a sunscreen is still your best bet (just layer it over your favorite skin-smoothing body lotion). Only need coverage for a quick commute? We love the four body lotions pictured above: Eucerin Daily Protection Moisturizing Body Lotion, Glytone Retexturize Body Lotion, and Avon DD Firm&Restore Body Cream all offer SPF 15; L'Occitane Jenipapo Body Jelly Milk has SPF 20 and smells like a tropical vacation.

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article source: allure.com

Retin-A: How and When to Apply for the Best Results

From clearing acne to preventing aging, retinoid is a hero ingredient—but using it can be tricky. Here’s how to best apply it for your most beautiful skin ever.

By Jeanine B. Downie, M.D. |

If there’s a grand taskmaster in skincare, it’s the class of ingredients known as retinoids. These derivatives of vitamin A, often referred to as the brand name Retin-A, do it all. They can clear acne by preventing skin cells from clogging pores, and increase cell turnover rates and stimulate the production of new collagen to improve and even reverse symptoms of aging like wrinkles, age spots and a dull complexion.

So why isn’t everyone and their mother using one? Well, as a dermatologist, that’s what I’d like to know! Any woman or man who is aging is a candidate for retinoids, including every skin tone from the fairest to deepest.

The most common complaint is that side effects like drying, flaking and irritation can make the ingredient difficult for many to comfortably incorporate into skincare routines. The good news: how you apply the retinoid makes all the difference. If you follow my tips, you can have both an enjoyable experience and glowing skin results.

What is the difference between retinoids and retinol?

Retinoids require a prescription and have a higher concentration of retinoic acid, while retinols can be purchased over the counter and have a weaker concentration of the active ingredient.

 

Ask for a well-tolerated option. Today’s retinoids are much better than older ones, since they’re more targeted to produce results in less irritating formulations. Ask your dermatologist for a newer pick. My personal favorite for patients is Tazorac 0.05% for a prescription, and Skin Medica’s Retinol Complex line that comes in various strengths for over the counter use.

Apply retinold after moisturizer. Sure, you can apply retinoid right after cleansing—though this increases your chance of unwanted side effects. Applying retinoid as a final step after moisturizing at night creates a nice buffer between your skin and the active ingredient. Studies show that you will still get the same benefits with a much lower risk of irritation.

Use a pea-size amount for your whole face. This is a prime example where very little goes a long way. Using just a smidge the size of a pea, apply the product to your forehead, both cheeks and chin to ensure even distribution, and then quickly use your fingers to spread as a thin layer over your entire face. Avoid the area directly underneath your eyes, as it’s too thin and sensitive for retinoid use.
Scale back if you’re sensitive. Yes, even sensitive skin can use and benefit from retinoids! If you have skin that is prone to flaking or easily turns red, you can scale back from daily application and use your retinoid on Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights. Very sensitive skin can downgrade to as infrequently as once a week, and still enjoy cumulative results.

Apply at night and wear SPF 30 daily. Sunrays break retinoids down, so they should only be applied at night. And since retinoids speed up cell turnover, your skin will become more sensitive to the sun. It’s imperative you wear a daily sunscreen of at least SPF 30 every day to protect your face, and reapply as needed if you’re out and about. Wear a hat that shades your face if you’re exposed to sunlight for more than about 15 minutes.

Stay consistent and patient. Retinoids aren’t worth your time if you only apply the lotion when you remember. Whether you use it every day or once a week, staying on schedule is key to treating skin on a cellular level that produces visible results on the surface. And keep in mind that big changes don’t happen overnight; they take some time. It’ll take several weeks to see beautiful skin, but I promise that it’s well worth the wait!

Call and talk to your esthetician today and schedule a facial at 831-373-2273


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Tips for Treating a Sunburn

11 Tips to Treat a Sunburn & Minimize Long-Term Skin Damage

Expert Advice to Cure a Sunburn

You know not to let yourself get sunburned—they’re painful, ugly, and are a major cause of pre-mature aging, dark skin spots and skin cancer like melanoma. 

So when you find yourself sunburned, you want to make sure you treat it swiftly and properly not just so that you can manage the discomfort and speed up the healing process, but also to minimize the long-term damage the burn can cause. To properly treat a sunburn, follow these expert-recommended tips:    


React Quickly
It’s pretty simple:  Sunburns equal skin damage. “The sun has both UVA and UVB rays,” explains dermatologist Debra Jaliman. “UVB rays cause burning as well as tanning … the burning that UVB rays cause warns you that you’ve had too much exposure.”  

A sunburn is generally a first-degree burn: inflamed, pink, tender, warm to the touch skin—similar to a burn you might get from touching a hot pan or spilling hot coffee on yourself.  

As soon as you see your skin beginning to get the slightest bit red/pink, reapply sunscreen and get out of the sun. It can take between four and six hours for the burn to start showing symptoms, so definitely don’t wait until it looks really red to react.  

And while most sunburns can be treated at home (using the tips below), sometimes you need to see a doctor. If you’re experiencing fever or chills, prolonged severe pain, nausea, or if you have a significant number of blisters, see your doctor.    


Cool Bath + Compresses
As soon as you’re able to, take a cool bath or shower (using mild soap and no loofahs or harsh cleansers) to help manage the heat your skin is producing, control the inflammation, and begin to relieve some of the pain and sensitivity.  

You can also take a washcloth, soak it in cool water and apply it to the skin for at least 10 minutes for the same effects.  

An ice pack wrapped in a cloth can be a great help when you’re trying to fall asleep on uncomfortable sunburned skin—just stick to the gel type packs so you don’t wake up in a bed full of melted ice.  


Aloe Vera
Licensed esthetician Daniela Ferri recommends aloe as an all-natural treatment for sensitive skin because of its anti-inflammatory, redness-treating properties. While it’s great for sensitive skin, it’s also perfect for remedying sunburns.   While the research is still being established, it is believed that aloe may also help your skin cells regenerate and heal at a faster pace.  

Side effects are few and far between, so you can apply aloe as much and as often as you need for relief, however your skin should start feeling better after a day of treatment.    


Coconut Oil Coconut oil’s not only great in stir-fry; it’s an all-natural beauty product that can provide a moisturizing protective layer to the skin. So as your skin begins to heal, you may want to apply coconut oil to keep it moisturized.  

However, if you have acne-prone, oily skin, reach for your usual moisturizer instead, as coconut oil can clog your pores.  
   

Oatmeal Bath
You may have taken one of these when you were little suffering from chicken pox, but they’re also a great way to calm itchiness and irritation as your sunburn begins to heal.  

Dissolve a packet of colloidal oatmeal into a warm bath (you can find packets at the drug store, bath product aisle, etc.). Soak once or twice a day, as needed, to calm your skin. Bonus: Your skin will be super soft for days.    


Hydrocortisone Cream
To help counter pain, sensitivity and swelling, and to promote healing, you can also try applying an over-the-counter, low dose hydrocortisone cream to your burn. Go for a 0.5 to 1 percent hydrocortisone cream and apply once or twice per day until improved.  

Be careful not to apply hydrocortisone cream to areas that are blistered or where you have open sores!    


OTC Pain Relief
Over-the-counter pain relievers can also be helpful. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen are good for managing the pain as well as reducing inflammation (which is good because that may help minimize the long term damage caused by the burn). Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help with pain, but does not have anti-inflammatory properties.  

If you are still experiencing pain after a couple days, it’s best to book an appointment with your doctor to make sure you don’t need a stronger prescription treatment.    


Stay Hydrated
If you’ve been in the sun long enough to get burned, you’ve also likely been out enough to get dehydrated (rapid sun exposure can also cause increased fluid loss through your skin). That’s a problem for so many reasons, including the fact that your skin needs to be well hydrated to properly begin to repair the sunburn damage.  

You need at least eight glasses of water per day, and a few more if you’ve been perspiring (like out in the sun or through exercise).    


Managing Sun Blisters
People with severe sunburns or particularly sensitive skin may experience blisters along with their burn. It’s important to let these heal on their own. Try to avoid touching them or letting them rub against any type of garment.  

If a blister bursts, treat it with antibacterial ointment and cover with gauze. See your doctor if the blisters show any signs of infection such as green or yellow discharge, extreme itching, excessive swelling or pain.    


Managing Peeling
A few days after you’re sunburned, you may notice the top layer of your burned skin getting tight, cracking and peeling off. This process may last for a few days.  

Although itchy, it’s important not to scratch or try to rub/peel off the shedding skin as that can result in further patchy discoloration and possibly even infection.  

Instead, stave off any discomfort and promote a new layer of healthy skin growth by continuing with the oatmeal baths and using aloe and a moisturizer.    


Avoid the Sun
After you’ve been burned, you’re going to need to stay out of the sun—getting a burn on top of a burn is another world of pain.  

Try to avoid going outside when the sun’s rays are the strongest: between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. While outdoors, keep to shaded areas as much as possible and wear loose fitting clothing that covers your skin and a hat to protect your scalp and face when you go out. And obviously wear an SPF with UVA and UVB protection.  A great product to use is Jan Marini's Antioxidant Daily Face Protectant SPF33.



 
Bonus Tips: How to Avoid a Burn
Better than treating a sunburn is preventing one in the first place. Here are the best tips for avoiding a burn and all the nasty premature aging, sun spots, and skin cancers that come along with it:    

Check Your Sunscreen & Apply It Properly
For daily use, dermatologist Debra Price recommends a product containing SPF 30 that protects against UVA and UVB rays, and be sure to apply properly. “It’s not only what you apply, but how you apply it that counts,” Dr. Price explains. “It is important to apply an adequate amount (a shot glass full to cover an average adult body) of sunscreen daily, 15 to 30 minutes before sun exposure.”  

If you’re going to be in the water, make sure you’re using a waterproof product, and no matter what you’re doing outside, be sure to re-apply your sunscreen every two hours.  

Remember to purchase new sunscreen at least every three years (or check the expiration dates), as it does have a shelf life limit.    


The Sun and Medications
Certain medications such as tetracycline, retinoids, sulfa-based drugs and certain pain relievers and antibiotics can predisposition you to getting sunburns even after short periods of sun exposure.  

Check the labels on your medications for sun warnings, and if you’re taking any of these, be sure to be extra careful with your sunscreen, limit time outside, and stick to the shade.    


Tanning Beds Thinking a tanning bed is a safer way to avoid sunburn is dangerous and couldn’t be farther from the truth.  

“Tanning beds have UVA rays,” explains dermatologist Debra Jaliman. “You don’t feel burning from UVA rays, and thus people are more likely to stay under UVA lamps for longer periods of time.”  

The sun expels UVA and UVB rays, but the UVA exposure is much more concentrated in a tanning bed than from the sun. These types of rays penetrate more deeply into the skin causing damage to the collagen and elastin, and leading to pre-mature aging, skin discoloration and skin cancer like melanoma.   While you may not feel yourself getting burned, know that you are doing the same—or worse—damage as you would with a direct-sun sunburn.  

Dr. Jaliman also warns, “Studies have shown that tanning bed use increases your chances of developing malignant melanoma by 75 percent.”  


On your next visit to Monterey Day Spa, ask me about our SPF products!

Schedule your appointment with us today by calling 831-373-2273
You can also book online at www.montereydayspa.com

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article source: chickrx.com