Remember

how worth it it is to figure this out...

Confused about sun protection? Not sure when to apply it in your skin care routine? Don’t like how it feels or looks on your skin? Unsure how you’re supposed to reapply if you have makeup on? (Remember how worth it it is to figure this out!) This blog is just for you…

How to begin:

1) Each AM, follow your great homecare routine (cleanse, exfoliate if needed, hydrating mist or toner, serum, moisturizer, possibly facial oil if needed). As the final layer, apply your favorite sun protection. You can apply makeup over the top of your sun protection layer if you want.

Tips for applying your sun protection layer:

If your sun protection cream/lotion does not apply well over the top of your regular skin care products (like it pills or repels or looks blotchy instead of smoothing on nicely), try waiting until your regular skin care products are fully absorbed before applying your sun protection. (A few minutes.)
Pat your sunscreen in instead of rubbing it in.
If your sunscreen is a moisturizer as well, you can possibly skip using your regular moisturizer in the AM and just use the sunscreen as your moisturizer. (Dry skin types should use both a regular moisturizer and moisturizing sunscreen.)
Sunscreen looks and applies best on skin that is well-exfoliated and well-hydrated. Sunscreen can get clumpy or cakey on skin that has a dead skin cell build up (needs exfoliation) or is dehydrated or dry (needs a better hydrating serum and a more moisturizing moisturizer).
For daily sunscreen for your face, aim for an SPF of about 30 or higher.
For more extreme outdoor exposure (like being at the beach all day) a higher SPF for both your face and body can be used.

Tips for applying makeup over sunscreen:

If your makeup does not apply smoothly over the top of your sun protection layer, try waiting until your sun protection is absorbed and set before applying your makeup. (A few minutes.)
Press your foundation over your skin with a damp sponge or brush instead of rubbing it in with your hands.
Opt for a sun protection product that doubles as a primer, instead of applying both a separate sunscreen and a foundation.
Tips for reapplying sun protection to your face throughout the day if you have makeup on: (CLICK)

We need to love

our sun protection if we are going to wear it daily...

What sun protection should you use daily for your face?

We need to love our sun protection if we are going to use it daily! Our sun protection also needs to love our skin! (No irritation, no oiliness, no drying out, no breakouts or clogging, no white or ashy cast, no fuss!). I am also a big fan of daily face sun protection offering other benefits besides SPF as well (such as being rich in antioxidants and other skin beautifying ingredients).

I make no secret that these are my favorites…

1) Antioxidant Sun Butter~ This is a rich cream/balm. A luscious, skin moisturizing blend of seed butters, coconut oil and oils infused with herbs containing powerful polyphenols and other nutrients. Exotic fruit oils included are naturally rich in antioxidants including carotenes and tocotrienols. This moisture rich, sun butter gives your skin a glowing, healthy appearance while providing natural UV protection with non-nano transparent zinc oxide. Ideal for normal to dry skin. (Not for oily skin, and definitely not for skin prone to clogging or breaking out.) Applies best when you warm/emulsify/liquify the product in your hands before smoothing over or patting over your face. Looks best when applied to exfoliated, hydrated skin. Will leave a white or ashy cast if you apply too much, or if it is applied to dry or under exfoliated skin. Will leave an oil glow when applied well. Has a natural, cocoa butter aroma. (I wear this one daily.) CLICK

2) Zinc Oxide Skin Perfecting Sunscreen SPF 27~ This broad-spectrum, fragrance-free, all mineral sun protection includes daisy flower extract (which inhibits age spots and hyperpigmentation) as well as hibiscus flower extract, ferula assa foetida root extract, pear fruit extract, and camellia sinensis leaf extract for complete anti-oxidant support. The lush addition of sodium hyaluronate (hyaluronic acid) helps to create a lightweight, moisturizing, whipped texture that is suitable for most all skin types. May be applied over a regular moisturizer or used as a daytime moisturizer, depending on the needs of your skin. This mid-weight lotion has a matte finish. CLICK

3) Broad Spectrum Natural SPF 30~ This is the perfect combination of sun protection, calming and age prevention. Natural zinc oxide provides broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection at the surface of your skin while a specialized amino acid and red algae blend provides UV protection at your skin’s cellular level. Your skin will be moisturized, calmer and well equipped for resisting premature aging. Malic acid (from apples) helps to brighten and smooth your skin as well. This mid-to-light-weight lotion has a matte finish. Fragrance free. Ideal for most skin types, including many sensitive skin types. CLICK

There are so many options…

to find your true love.

If mineral, non-tinted sun protection is not your cup of tea (feels too heavy or sticky or looks too white) there are so many options to find your true love…

Let’s get more specific….

Best Natural and Organic Sunscreens…

Best Sun Protection for Your Body (for outdoor sports, sweating, swimming, distance running, day at the beach or at the pool, etc.,):

Did you get too much sun?

In need of damage control? All of these exceptionally healing serums are wonderful to apply to naked skin after you’ve had too much sun (pink? irritated? dry? some peeling?). If potent healing and calming power is in order, apply any of these (just one or a combination of them) under your moisturizer to quickly restore and replenish your skin:

"I protect my skin with sunscreen and am religious about keeping my face moisturized and properly protected all day."

~Jennifer Garner

"Sun up, sunscreen on."

~Everyday Mantra

"No drama, just SPF 50.”

~unknown

“I keep my skin - especially on my face and neck - out of the sun. My brother died of melanoma eight years ago, and I've got SPF on all the time... It makes you realize the sun is a wonderful thing, but it can be a very devastating thing. So sunscreen is key, and a lot of laughter, too.”

~Giada De Laurentiis

“Every day, before you start, especially if you are going to wear sunscreen, you have to exfoliate.”

~Paul Nassif

“Stay away from the sun and remember the skin on a woman's neck, hands and face is sensitive and ages easily, so apply a high SPF sunscreen on those areas.”

~ Irina Shayk

“I use foundation with sunscreen in it to save a step. It's just enough to look like I put makeup on. Then, I use a little blush, and that's it - I'm out the door.”

~Alyson Hannigan

Blog written by Marna Herrington with Rich Earth Organic Skin Care Studio

Blog copy editing and polishing provided by Karen-Eileen Gordon (MsGordonLovesWriting@gmail.com)

This blog is not intended to take the place of in-person consultations with qualified skin care and health care practitioners.
This blog is for the purpose of education and fun only. All images and text in this blog are under the legal ownership of Rich Earth Organic Skin Care Studio, or permission of use has been granted for this specific blog only, unless unambiguously in the public domain. Permission is not granted for this text or these images to be copied and used out of the context of this blog, or for commercial purposes. If any part of the text is quoted in an article or other blog for educational purposes, a hyperlink to this page must be included.

The “How to” of Sun Protection