even though summer is now over, wearing sunscreen (or sunblock) is still very important for our health (and looks). sunscreen is a must all-year round, and we cannot stress this enough.
experts recommend wearing sunscreen even though you are home. did you know? according to Cancer Council, we may be indoors, or it could be a dark, cloudy day, but UV rays can still penetrate all the same and UV levels may be the same as those on a warm, sunny day.
would you want an increased risk of skin cancer or premature skin aging? having freckles, pigmentation, wrinkles, fine lines, crow’s feet and really dry skin?
if you find yourself saying no to any of those, you would need to properly protect yourself against sun damage. that includes limiting sun exposure and wearing longer tops and bottoms and, of course, using a good sunscreen.
so, what makes a good sunscreen? here are 5 traits:
before we dive deep, let’s explore the two kinds of UV rays - UVA and UVB.
UVA rays are the most common and they penetrate our skin deeper than UVB, even through windows and clouds. that means, even if you’re indoors or when it’s cloudy, skipping sunscreen is a taboo. UVB rays are less common than UVA rays and can be filtered. however, their intensity is greater than that of UVA rays.
both UVA and UVB contribute to skin cancer, premature skin aging and sunburns.
where do SPF and PA come in then?
SPF stands for “sun protection factor” and it tells you how much UVB protection you get. the number tells you how long UVB rays would take to redden your skin if you apply, as compared to if you do not. for instance, if you use an SPF 30 product, it would take you 30 times longer to burn than if you did not apply. pick a sunscreen that is of at least SPF 30.
PA stands for “protection grade of UVA” and it tells you how much UVA protection you get. ranging from + to ++++, the more pluses you have, the more protection you get. as a rule of thumb, get a sunscreen that is at least PA+++.
to sum it up, choose a sunscreen with a high SPF number (at least 30) which has at least a PA+++.
traditionally, sunscreens were made only with UVB in mind, because scientists did not fully understand the dangers of UVA. however, in recent years, more research has been done on UVA and they started formulating sunscreens targeting it as well.
having the “broad spectrum” label means protecting yourself against both UVA and UVB rays, which is the way to go.
even if we’re out hiking or buying groceries, having one that is sweat- or water-resistant means continued protection. in the event of rain or when we perspire, we can have that assurance that it will not be easily washed off. a bonus is that you no longer have to worry about stinging eyes!
research has shown that people who use spray sunscreens often only use a fraction of the required amount, since it requires about six seconds of spray to match the amount of protection given by a sunscreen lotion.
also, sprays emit very fine particles that can enter our lungs and cause irreversible damage.
to better protect yourself, opt for a lotion or gel.
for those of you planning to get into the sea or ocean, it would help our marine life so much if the sunscreen you pick does not contain toxic ingredients like cylcopentasiloxane, cyclomethicone, octinoxate and oxybenzone (or benzophenone).
small quantities of these can go a long way (literally) and harm our beautiful fish and corals.
it may be hard to find a sunscreen that has all these characteristics, but look out for the fundamentals - high SPF and PA ratings, as well as broad-spectrum protection.
- - -
here are three of the better natural sunscreens we have found:
Skinnies CONQUER SPF 50+ Pro Performance Sungel (100ml)
SPF 50, PA++++, broad-spectrum protection, water-resistant, reef-friendly
$$$
SPF 50, broad-spectrum protection, water-resistant, reef-friendly
$
Raw Elements Face + Body Tin SPF 30 (85g)
SPF 30, broad-spectrum protection, water-resistant, reef-friendlylet’s look at some truths about face oils that you might not know:
(credit: Werner Forman/Universal Images Group Editorial/UIG via Getty Images)
oil was a prized commodity in the cosmetics realm back in ancient Egypt, they used it as a form of wages paid to workers! providing enough oil for beauty purposes was among the things they ensured each worker had. the Egyptians used about 21 different types of vegetable oils for cosmetic reasons, many of which are still used today, such as castor oil.
face oils have compositions close to that of natural oils produced by our skin, and the two oils work together to keep the skin balanced and well-hydrated. this process is called sebum regulation, when the oil signals to your skin to balance itself.
squalane, a key ingredient in the finest face oils, mimics the natural oils our skin produces very well, making it an excellent emollient that is safe for all skin types. our skin naturally produces squalene, so its hydrogenated sibling performs brilliantly (hydrogenation is necessary to retain its benefits as much as possible without losing to oxidation). plus, squalane is non-comedogenic, allowing your pores to breathe. research has also shown that squalane is good for eczema and sensitive skin, as it soothes a variety of skin inflammation problems.
another ingredient, that is similar to squalane in providing these beneficial properties, is jojoba oil, which is actually a wax ester. now, although face oils can be used on all skin types, there are certain face oils that work better for you than others. ask yourself, ‘what is my skin type?’
oily skin could actually be dehydrated skin that lacks water but overcompensates with oil. as such, you need a lightweight oil that can prevent moisture loss and lock in as much water as possible. applying honest & gentle’s day face oil would be beneficial in this case.
that means you lack both water and oil and would require a heavier face oil to deeply nourish your skin and lock in moisture, so hydration is kept optimal. honest & gentle’s day night oil would be your choice here. to differentiate between dry skin and dehydrated skin, you can try the pinch test: pinch a little area of skin and hold for a few seconds. if your skin doesn’t snap back, you’re likely dehydrated.
plant oils not only hydrate the skin; certain ones help fight free radical damage to skin cells with their high antioxidant levels. such oils include evening primrose oil, rosehip oil, jojoba oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil, among others.
with extended usage, the face oils give greater protection against free radical damage, slowing down skin aging as well as improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
for a more pampering and luxurious treatment, why not diffuse some essential oils in your room, put on some relaxing music as you indulge in a gua sha facial?
]]>whatever will be will be;
que sera, sera.
rings familiar?
you are not alone, my dear.
especially when it’s hot and humid,
oh, how much we sweat!
a smart sensor is what
your body is like.
when it senses you’re overheating,
sweat flows,
to control your temperature.
thank you, sweat.
you are pure, you do not smell.
but when bacteria from my apocrine glands
break down the fat and oil
in you, sweat,
these smaller fatty acids -
now, I smell like onion,
now, I smell like cheese.
yes, it’s embarrassing,
yes, my confidence fades.
so I turn to antiperspirants,
and also to perfume.
but, wait a minute -
aluminium, triclosan, parabens -
what are they doing in them?
wait, wait -
there are many, many more.
now, the fear of them keeps me up at night,
and then I spring up when morning comes,
and resolve to change things up.
i will say yes to safer ingredients:
like coconut oil,
like tapioca starch,
like diatomaceous earth,
and all the wonderful essential oils,
one from the orchards of Italy.
soak up my sweat,
as best as you can,
so there is little to break down.
and neutralise my odour
with the natural, cold-pressed oils.
yes, I will say yes,
to going au naturel,
and say bye
to all the nasties.
que sera, sera
whatever will be will be
i will still sweat
but now, i can change something
que sera, sera
(main image: insider)
]]>the basics when it comes to choosing a good one is that it has to contain a humectant, like glycerin, to draw moisture from the air into your skin. it should also contain occlusives and emollients like butters and oils, to repair the skin barrier function and form a protective barrier against irritants and moisture loss.
of course, if ceramides are added, that moisturiser ranks a notch higher. if you have sensitive skin, ensure that it contains only ingredients safe and gentle on the skin and, ideally, as natural as possible.
honest & gentle's award-winning anti-itch moisturising lotion contains ceramides and menthol to strengthen your skin barrier as well as relieve itch.
let's look at two other factors that can help you in choosing a suitable moisturiser:
1) your skin type
(credit: leaf.tv)
if you have normal to fairly dry skin, and would like a light moisturiser that is quickly absorbed, consider using a moisturising lotion. lotions contain a higher water content as compared to creams.
however, if you have extremely dry skin, consider using a thicker cream. what’s not so pleasant about creams is that they are not as easily absorbed and may linger a little longer on the skin. to cater to those of us with really dry skin, we are in the midst of designing a moisturising cream that is both effective and provides a great skin feel, so you can enjoy the end-to-end experience.
2) your climate
(credit: porapak apichodilok)
which part of the world you reside in can also affect which moisturiser is better for you. if you have extremely dry skin but you live in a humid climate, it could be very uncomfortable to have a film of oil on your body for hours on end. you may worry about the oil staining your clothes or you may not be able to move freely, for fear it would stain the things you touch and because it just feels so sticky. yes, it is a sticky situation.
such discomfort may raise stress levels, which may in turn aggravate your skin condition, according to Dr Stephanie Munn. as such, picking a lighter lotion may be a better choice, which is easily absorbed and you can reapply as frequently as you wish to.
conversely, if you are living in a dry climate, you might desire something that is more lasting on the skin which offers greater physical protection against the harsh weather conditions (i.e. the oil film). using a thicker cream, ointment or balm might then offer you a greater peace of mind.
for some people, they only experience dry patches here and there. if you are one of them, you might opt for a different approach - using body lotion for the most part, and applying a cream or balm on just those areas that are drier or sensitive. ultimately, it is your personal preference that counts.
if you have not made the switch to natural skincare, be sure to check the list of ingredients and see if there are the harmful parabens and sulphates or synthetic fragrances. these are harsh ingredients which may irritate your skin.
for those who are already using natural skincare, check the quality of oils used (cold-pressed are the best) and if the moisturiser contains a preservative that is effective yet gentle on the skin.
(main image: shubh propack)
]]>it’s not easy finding products that are gentle on the skin, that works, and we have to be really sure they do not make our already-sensitive skin more sensitive.
let’s explore this thing about sensitive skin. for those of us with sensitive skin, we may experience itching, burning, dryness, redness, peeling and bumps. this is caused by our disrupted skin barrier, allowing substances to penetrate our skin, giving rise to skin irritation.
in some cases, this is caused by our genes (e.g. acne, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea), whereas in other cases, it is due to environmental factors (e.g. dry weather, insect bites). it could be a combination of both as well.
how, then, do we manage this tricky skin type of ours?
there are two ways:
1) rebuild your skin barrier
here, our aim is to strengthen the stratum corneum of the epidermis (the outer layer of our skin) so that foreign substances like allergens and bacteria are kept at bay.
ceramides, a building block of the skin, play an instrumental role here as they strengthen the skin, make it firmer and smoother. brilliant, isn’t it? and that’s why we had to include it in our award-winning anti-itch moisturising lotion. shop our anti-itch lotion
2) hydrate and soothe your inflamed skin
keeping our skin hydrated is a fundamental. we use glycerin, a humectant, to pull water from the air into our skin. we also use emollients and occlusives like unrefined shea butter and our nutrient-rich cold-pressed oils to limit water evaporation from our skin, locking in moisture.
wherever possible, try taking shorter showers and applying a good moisturiser as soon as you can right after. drink plenty of water to hydrate your skin as well.
(credit: eczema exposed)
in addition to using only products that are non-irritating (or hypoallergenic), for those of us with itchy skin, it is extremely important for us to break the itch scratch cycle. scratching aggravates your skin condition and it will be harder to stop. instead, choose a product that provides itch relief such as the anti-itch moisturising lotion.
we have selected cold-pressed rice bran, safflower, rosehip and jojoba oils in both our original and anti-itch body lotions also because they are rich in antioxidants, which will help to lighten your scratch scars.
we know that some of you (like we once were) are resistant to applying moisturisers because they make you greasy and uncomfortable. however, we also recognise the importance of keeping our skin moisturised.
which is why we’ve specially invented moisturisers that are light and fast-absorbing, so you don’t have to deal with this pain, on top of your pain of living with sensitive skin.
finally, try to use only gentle products, avoiding harsh chemicals and exfoliators which may cause abrasion.
now that you know more about your sensitive skin, you know what to do.
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