SALT IN THE AIR, SAND IN MY HAIR

Hey friends! After a busy month, I’m writing to you from the pool with so many ideas and experiences that I’m dying to share with you. Following all my amazing summer travels, I’ve decided to clear my head and share my best summer skincare tips before returning to work - where I will be planning our new collections and sales for the holiday season.

 

More than anything, I want to put down in writing my commitment to the importance of SPF. During my time spent between Sri Lankan shores and the beaches of Bali, I saw so many young girls getting burned and men with wrinkled skin from being careless in the sun. This was especially common with those who spent their days surfing! 

 

I get it. It’s July, summer vacations are in full swing and your base tan is in place, so you think you are good to hit the sand and sun, right? Not so fast! First,, consider proper skin protection. We’ve all heard about the damaging effects of the sun’s rays and tips on proper sun protection. “But tans look so good, it’s not that bad to get a little color”, you might say. You may feel differently when you understand what happens to your body when your skin tans.

 

Despite what we want to believe, a tan is not there to make you look like a glowing beach babe - it is your skin’s attempt to protect you from the sun. When you tan your body increases melanin production, causing skin cells to thicken to block harmful UV rays. When tans cross over into sunburn, your blood vessels dilate, giving your skin a red appearance. And that fun, tight-skin feeling happens when your cells lose moisture. Ouch! What’s more, UV rays can actually cause scarring and damage to your DNA - which can lead to skin cancer. Peeling is your body getting rid of DAMAGED skin!

 

If all this wasn’t enough to make you think twice about your sun care, continued sun exposure reduces skin elasticity, causes dark or uneven color patches, increases wrinkles, and results in premature aging. Even with these risks, you may still be thinking “I just want to enjoy a little sunbathing,” and I am with you.

 

No need to avoid the sun completely! But, especially for the vacationers amongst us, before we enjoy the sea, summer makeup, and good food, you must invest in a good sunscreen and be committed to using it on a daily basis! 

 

Arianna Skincare has been focused on correcting other skin conditions so we do not have a sunscreen...YET! In the meantime, here is the SPF on my face and body. I apply it every day, and take it in my bag no matter where I'm headed! You can order it from Amazon or directly from the SkinCeuticals® website.

Now that you are prepared with the proper sunscreen, here are my top, realistic, sun-safety tips for travelers:

 

• Pre-check your sunscreen. If your sunscreen has expired since your last trip, throw it out; it won’t provide full protection. No expiration date? Toss sunscreen after three years, there has been a change in consistency, or the lotion has yellowed. 
• Pack plenty. An ounce of sunscreen is needed for proper coverage—one time. A TSA approved three-ounce bottle won’t be enough for anything beyond a half-day trip. If you are only taking a carry-on, make sure to buy a full-size bottle when you arrive at your sunny destination!
• Stick it in your purse. Small sunscreen sticks are a great option for on-the-go. Lightweight and lacking the risk of a greasy lotion explosion in your purse, sunscreen sticks come in sizes small enough to carry in a clutch. Hello summer weddings!
• Keep it classic. Cream sunscreens typically provide the best coverage (be sure to hit these typical burn zones: tops of feet, ankles, along the lines of your clothing, ears, and scalp line). 
• Skip the sprays. Sprays tend to offer less thorough coverage and have been found to contain more endocrine disrupting chemicals. 
• Aim for SPF 15 to 50. SPF is based primarily on defense against UVB rays, the main cause of most burns. UVA ray’s are largely responsible for premature aging and wrinkles. As SPF goes up UVA protection goes down in relation to UVB.
• Apply before you leave home. It takes about 30 minutes for sunscreen to properly bind with skin
• Order right Apply in correct order. Apply chemical blockers (most sunscreens) directly to bare skin and allow them to be absorbed before putting on makeup. Physical blockers, those containing titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, like my favorite above, should be applied on top of makeup and moisturizers.
• Leave a layer. Sunscreen works best when a thin film remains. Let sunscreen absorb into your skin, rather than rubbing it all the way in, for maximum protection.
• Keep the dewy summer look going. Ditch powder eye shadows and blush in favor of cream makeup, it won’t clump or drag the way powder will when combined with sunscreen. If you can’t commit to creams, consider powder sunscreens for reapplication throughout the day.
• Check your meds. Especially if you are taking anything out of the ordinary while traveling, check for sun exposure warnings. Common culprits that can increase susceptibility to sun damage or reduce the impact of sunscreen include ibuprofen, Aleve, Motrin, Advil, Benadryl and other antihistamines, antibiotics such as Tetracycline and doxycycline and many acne treatments containing benzoyl peroxide.
• Set your timer. If you won't remember to reapply every two hours (more if you’re sweating!), set a reminder on your phone. Be sure to reapply every time you get out of the water.

 

 

Nothing has meant more to me than traveling with my girlfriends this summer and I want to keep them—and you—sun safe! Whether you and your bestie are hitting the road or staying local this summer, we’ve got both of you covered!