A Day in the Sun(screen)

A day in the Sunscreen, Behind the Mirror, Amanda Teague, Sunscreen tips, girl with white hair laying in the grass with some flowers and relaxing in a black and white elizabeth and James tunic and ripped black current elliott jeans with birkenstocks

With Memorial Day behind us and nothing but summer days in the forecast, I am looking forward to spending some time outside with good old Mother Nature. Nothing, which I know of, can change one’s mood faster than a day in the sun. Things seem to effortless go from sucking to at least moderately okay in a matter of minutes. An unlikely read in an airport once taught me that while season’s change our basic needs do not, making vitamin D a crucial part of each and everyday. Vitamin D is proven to help mental sharpness, reduce abdominal fat, and keep hair looking healthy to name a few.

But days in the sun aren’t always blue skies and rainbows because without the proper protection you could end up with a nasty case of sunburn. Refinery 29 recently posted an article about what really happens to your skin when you get sunbrunt. It was a pretty long article and a little boring so these are the highlights. For starters, everyone should be wearing at least SPF 30 at all times.

So basically, every time you’re in the sun the skin responds by producing melanin, which gives the appearance of a tan. This is a protective function to help prevent UV damage to the DNA of your cells. The second process, triggered primarily by UVB rays, creates increases in melanogenesis, which is the body’s reaction to direct photo-damage from UV radiation. This leads to delayed tanning, and first becomes visible about 72 hours after exposure. Which is why picking out smart sunscreens that are packed with anti-inflammatories, antioxidants, and UV smart boosters that release vitamins when sunlight is detected are so important. A sunburn is the skin’s response to extreme ultraviolet (UV) exposure and indicates severe damage. The face, neck, chest, and surrounding areas are two to four times more sensitive than arms and legs.

A day in the Sunscreen, Behind the Mirror, Amanda Teague, Sunscreen tips, girl with white hair laying in the grass with some flowers and relaxing in a black and white elizabeth and James tunic and ripped black current elliott jeans with birkenstocks

Everyone knows what happens next. You get sunburnt and then you start to peel. Nightmare.

Peeling = Cell Suicide.

And here is the scary part – so according to this article peeling is your body’s way of of getting rid of the damaged cells that are at risk of “losing control” and becoming cancerous. Now that the C word has been mentioned, what do we do about it?

1.) If you start to get red, get out of the sun. You’re done. Sorry.
 
2.) Drink lots of water and stay hydrated.
 
3.) Make sure to store your sunscreens in a cool place, not your car and definitely not in your beach bag.
When you expose sunscreen to heat it breaks it down. According to cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Fredric S. Brandt, “When it gets hot or is stored above 77 degrees Fahrenheit, the potency is destroyed, and the sunscreen will degrade.” So try to keep sunscreens in the shade.
 
4.)Make sure to apply it at least 15 minutes before you are going to be in the sun.
Apply every two hours once you are in the sun, and if you swim for longer than 20 minutes apply some more.

What to look for in a sunscreen?

1.) An SPF higher than 15 is best.
WebMD (which my Dr. says is a reliable source so don’t blame me….) says that past SPF 45, the protection-level number on sunscreen bottles amounts to marketing bullshit. I took some liberties with paraphrasing that.
 
2.) Make sure to look for broad-spectrum sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection.
 
3.) Ingredients should include one of the following: antihelios, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or parasol 1789.

Some of my favorites are Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock in spf 45. I also love Daily Defense Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 when I feel like splurging because my skin is prone to breakouts and this one seems to keep everything safe and calm.

A day in the Sunscreen, Behind the Mirror, Amanda Teague, Sunscreen tips, girl with white hair laying in the grass with some flowers and relaxing in a black and white elizabeth and James tunic and ripped black current elliott jeans with birkenstocks

What are some of your favorite sunscreens?

***beauty always comes form within, photos taken by Katerina Stavreva, xoxo behind the mirror***

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  • Natalia

    I posted a bit about sunscreens etc today, too. Just feel that there is so much misleading information that it’s worth sharing the facts. I’d be very careful with Neutrogena, to be honest, because they use ingredients that may cause hormonal imbalances and actually contaminate the body. :(

    • Interesting… I actually spoke to my doctor about both of these sunscreens so I feel confident using them. Thanks for stopping by.

  • Montserrat Sobral

    I’ve been using La Roche 50+ this summer (It’s almost winter now in Chile) and was very happy with it. I always thought that the SPF was related to how long it protects your skin…
    Enjoy the sunlight!

  • Diana Cloudlet

    Dear, your blog is amazing! i’m impressed by your design & photos!

    everything is magnificent!

    will be happy to see you in my blog)

    http://www.dianacloudlet.com

    • Thank you so much. Checked out your blog and it is great! Followed on Bloglovin and I am looking forward to your posts.

  • Thais gomes

    the sunglasses are super cool! loved ur outfit..

    Kisses,
    http://www.taislany.com

  • Tanja

    Protection from the sun is so important, that’s why I always put on some at least on my face and shoulders! http://www.neverdreamedaboutthis.com

  • Lary Mello

    nice post! really importat to take care of our skin.. here in Quito the sun is worst! It get us directly! we need to protect from it every day (including cloudy days!)
    xoxo
    http://www.tastemycloset.com/

    • Great Point!!! Definitely wearing sunscreen even when it is cloudy is super important! Thank you for you comment.

  • christyw

    That’s what I call a perfect day! Check out my blog, I’m sure you’ll like it! http://www.wearona.com

  • Ashley White

    Excellent tips + advice! Gotta protect that gorgeous skin! :)

    -Ashley
    http://lestylorouge.com

  • 365hangers

    Seriously helpful article. We had no idea our sunscreen would kind of go bad if left in the sun. Thanks for all the amazing tips!!

    xx 365hangers

  • Jessica (What To Style)

    Great tips! Sunscreen is an essential part of my beauty routine! =)
    Thanks for visiting my blog, have a great day!

    http://whattostyle.blogspot.com/

    xoxo,
    Jess

  • Shannon Jenkins

    So pretty! Loving those Birks! I agree with you staying safe in the sun is definitely a must! Neutrogena has always been my go to sunscreen!

    <3 Shannon
    Upbeatsoles.blogspot.com

  • Pamela

    I LOVE Supergoop and Coola sunscreens! They never have a greasy feelings and smell so good!

    <3, Pamela
    sequinsandseabreezes.blogspot.com

    • I just tried Coola for the first time while I was in Miami a couple weekends ago and I loved it! It was very light and airy. Great addition!

  • Sarah

    When I was younger, getting tanned was the most important thing to achieve in 2 weeks holidays, getting burned included! Now that I live in a mediterranean country I usually don’t leave the house with at least some protection in my face. And every time I go to the beach I avoid the hottest hours at noon and put on at least SPF 30, I mean, hey, I’m not 20 any more and skin aging is definitely a subject!! Thank you for sharing your tips, I didn’t know that heat destroys the protection, so what to do when spending the whole day at the beach or swimming pool??
    xx, Sarah

    • I am the exact same, laying out in the sun with OIL! on was my favorite thing to do as a teenager… So it said that sunscreen starts to deconstruct in temps above 77 degrees F. and suggested keeping it in the shade, but I was actually thinking to start keeping it in a plastic bag in the cooler I take with me to the beach.

  • Victoria Larroque

    I didn’t know that about the peeling. That’s terrifying! I’ve currently been using the badger sun screens just because they’re thick and the ingredient list is more natural.

  • Kerry

    I am naturally tan but I still use sunscreen. It is so important though I wish I followed that more when i was younger.

    • I know, me too! I feel like when I was younger it wasn’t so in your face all the time that you needed to use sunscreen. :/

  • For Vanity’s Sake

    Love the neutrogena sunblock! I started using sunblock everyday now that I’m more aware of skin care..My skin will thank me later!

    xo Jules
    http://forvanityssake.com

  • Caroline Mason

    ha, cute title! I am the same- super super pale and blonde so I have to be careful about sun exposure as well. Good tips, thanks!

    I’d love it if you could come check out my blog as well! http://afashionneverland.blogspot.com/ xx

    • Thank you! and of course, I check out your blog. It is great. Followed on Bloglovin and I am looking forward to your posts!

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