Skincare Basics Part 5: SPF

Sunscreen is the ULTIMATE in anti-aging. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, UV exposure from the sun or indoor tanning beds accounts for nearly 90% of all signs of aging in the skin - that's dullness, dark spots, fine lines, wrinkles, etc. AND people who use spf 15 or higher daily show 24% less signs of aging

The American Academy of Dermatology states that 1 in 5 Americans will get skin cancer in their lifetime, and 9,500 are diagnosed with skin cancer every DAY.

I'm not going to beat a dead horse here. I think it's safe to say at this point we ALL know the importance of sunscreen. However, I will say, the statistics don't lie, and sometimes we need a good reminder of why we take that extra step every day. Truth #1

Your makeup likely won't cut it.

It is fairly common now for foundations to have spf in them. That's great. Think of that as an insurance policy for your spf. But you'll need to apply a separate spf for best results. Most people don't wear so much foundation that it actually acts as sun protection. *

So here's the proper way to layer: Cleanser Toner Serum

Eye Cream Moisturizer if you need one for A.M. Spf Makeup

Truth #2

You need to wear sunscreen every day. Even on shady days, when you're inside, and in the winter. NOT just when it's warm out or you're on the beach. UVA (the aging rays) aren't any different when its shady, cloudy or cold. And windows don't block the part of the spectrum of light that ages us. So a window won't protect your skin from aging.

Truth #3

You need to reapply every 2 hours if you're outside, and every 80 minutes if you've been in water.

Most people forget to reapply, and they end up burned. Don't be that gal.

Set an alarm on your phone or smartwatch and reapply, mmmkay? Love you.

Look, I know sunscreen won't INSTANTLY make your skin better...but give it a few years. When you're showing significantly less damage to your skin than others your age, you'll be grateful wore it every day. And if you're still quite young, you'll REALLY thank me in 20 years….prevention is key. #noneedlesorsurgery

One last tip: Wear UV blocking sunglasses. Your eyes and the skin around them (the fastest to age!) will thank you!

*you need roughly a teaspoon of spf for your face, neck and ears, plus one ounce for your body - think the size of an average shot glass

#spf #sunprotection #amberbuddatelier #skincare #skincare #sexyskincare

Summer Skincare Q and A: Part 2

Ahhhh the sun….it’s finally arrived in the Midwest, so I’m a pretty happy girl. A happy girl with (still) pasty-white skin.

And I’m totally okay with that.

I embraced it when I was 12 years old. I am never going to be one of those people who can get a tan. I’m genetically predisposed to burns and skin cancer, and I’m not willing to risk it. So I slather on the good stuff every two hours diligently, and continue to enjoy my hard cider or bloody mary on a patio. There is no reason to give up the fun just to stay pale.

All that being said, these tips are not just for my ghostly readers…they’re for everyone. If your skin is predisposed to tanning, your skin is going to tan, regardless of the protection you use. Those 3+ % of rays that seep through the sunscreen will tan you. Don’t be fooled into thinking you shouldn’t wear it…mmmmkay? :) (humor me)

Q: “I’ve heard tattoos need to be covered for the immediate time after they are applied, but how about a year later? or more?”

A: “ALWAYS cover your tattoos. The ink spreads and fades quicker when exposed to sunlight, and we want your ink to last and look as fresh as possible for always, right?! The best is a Zinc or Titanium oxide sunscreen.”

Q: “what is the best way to make sure I’m covered for a long day at a music festival or the beach?”

A: “First, make sure you apply minimum 30 minutes before sun exposure. Second, Double up. Start with a layer of lotion and follow with a layer of spray. Continue to add layers of just the spray every 2 hours, or every 60 minutes if you’re in water. Yes, that means you have to bring your sunscreen with you. Don’t leave it at home, it’s no good to you on your kitchen counter”

Q: “okay, so I didn’t listen to you….and I got a burn….what now?”

A: “I’m sorry to hear that…I had one nasty burn as a child, and I can still remember crying when water touched it. The best thing to do is keep the area cool. You’ve literally burned the skin. So keep aloe on hand and apply as often as needed. This will help re-hydrate and soothe the skin.You can take an ibuprofen for inflammation as well. This will help keep you comfortable.When the skin begins the unsightly peeling process, do not, I repeat, DO NOT peel or scrub the skin. Allow it to shed naturally to avoid infection.Take cool showers until it is healed. Hot water can exacerbate already irritated skin.Next time, wear sunscreen. 30+ please. Thanks.”

#summer #skincare #spf #tattoocare

Summer Skincare Q and A: part 1

This is part 1 of a 2 part series. I’ve taken some questions friends have asked recently about summer suncare for your skin and answered them below.

Question: I’ve notices fine lines around my eyes, how can I avoid accelerating this in the summer?

Answer:Use an eye cream with SPF daily- Supergoop has one with an SPF 37 and Shiseido has one with SPF 34 (and yes, this means you’ll need an eye cream for day, and for night…don’t panic…just use the SPF in the day, and use one with firming and lifting ingredients at night)Wear sunglasses with UV protection (remember, both UVA and UVB need to be blocked) and glasses with brown or green tint lenses protect better than any other color lenses

Question:Is my sunscreen from last year still good?

Answer:It doesn’t expire for three years. HOWEVER, be sure to look at the manufacture date, not the date you opened it. It could have been sitting on a shelf for two years and now you’re past year three. Better to just buy a new one for this year.

Question:I burned my scalp, how can I avoid this in the future?

Solution:Treat as you would a normal sunburn for now…but next time, remember to wear a hat, or at the very least, use a hair product with SPF in it or rub/spray your sunscreen into your part. No, it doesn’t look great, but it looks a lot better than a sunburn feels.Pureology, Aveda and several other companies make sprays for hair with UV filters in it. (initially developed for color treated hair, they are good for any hair type exposed to sunlight)

Question:How much sunscreen should I be applying?

Answer: If it’s a cream, roughly one ounce. That’s the size of a shot glass, people. I love drink math in skincare.

Question:Is an SPF 15 really that much less than an SPF 30 or SPF 50?

Answer:SPF 15 blocks about 94% of the suns rays. SPF 30 blocks about 97%. SPF 50 about 98%. So yes, SPF 30 is better. But anything above that, for most people is just a marketing trick. For my very fair and burn-prone skin, SPF 50 is really worth it to me. But that’s really at your discretion.

Question:How often should I reapply sunscreen?

Answer:Every two hours, or after being in the water or perspiring profusely

#skincare #spf #summer #pureology #aveda #supergoop #shiseido