The Ugly Truth About Sun Damage

By .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Friday - June 20, 2007

E-mail this story | Print this page | Comments (0) | Archive | RSS

| Share

Del.icio.us

My friends call me the sun-screen nazi. And after getting a peek at the sun damage under my skin, I’m glad I am.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, skin cancer is now the most common form of cancer in the United States; 1.3 million new cases will be diagnosed this year.

Along with skin cancer, excessive unprotected sun exposure can lead to unwanted age spots, early wrinkles, loss of firmness, and just plain ugly looking skin.

So, what do you do if you’re like me and just can’t stay out of the sun? Protect yourself.

This summer, Sephora has partnered with the Skin Cancer Foundation to introduce their first-ever Sun Safety Kit containing sun essentials to protect you from topto-toe and a handy mesh pouch to store them in. Also, 100 percent of the net proceeds will benefit the Skin Cancer Foundation.

This safe fun-in-the-sun kit includes travel-sized sunscreens for the face, lips, eyes and body - in oil-free, waterproof, and non-greasy formulas - from some of Sephora’s most popular brands, including Korres Natural Products, Bliss, Cosmedicine, Peter Thomas Roth, Murad, Clarins, DDF and Juice Beauty. The kit retails for $22 and is available at all Sephora stores and at www.sephora.com

When applying sunscreen, beauty experts recommend using one with a sun protector factor (SPF) of 30 or more, applying 20 minutes before you go outside and then reapplying every two hours.

According to Sephora, 90 percent of aging is caused by sun damage, and if you’re not adamant about wearing sun protection every day, these skin changes can begin in your 20s.

Last year, Murad sent a team of experts to Sephora Ala Moana to give personal UV damage tests. I can’t believe I’m sharing this, but you can see my results in the photo here. Notice the many dark spots on my cheeks. Yeah, not pretty.

Their solution for me is the Murad Environmental Shield Vitamin C Infusion Home Facial Kit ($65). It’s a weekly treatment for environmental aging that reverses damage, provides instant hydration and restores youthful clarity.

The Murad team will be here again July 14 and 15 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Sephora. Call 944-9797 for an appointment.

Recently, Oprah Winfrey revealed her favorite things for the summer which included sun care products by Clarins.

There are also many self-tanning products available for people who want that sun-kissed look without the sun.

Needless to say, there are countless types of sun products out there that can make shopping for one a confusing experience. Be sure to read the labels and don’t be afraid to ask questions before selecting one.

“Applying sunscreen is the best thing people can do for their skin,” advises Jeannie Higa, store director at Sephora Ala Moana. “And today’s sunscreens are much more technologically advanced than before. Your skin is the largest organ and it protects your body, so protecting your skin protects your body.”