Hot tips on how to protect the skin from the sun’s rays

Dear Rissa, 

I’m hitting the beach with my friends soon. I love the beach, but what I hate the most is the greasy feeling of sunblock on my body. I’m also very anal and religiously use sunblock on my face because I really dread wrinkles. But I’m not happy with the current brand I’m using for my face. It feels really oily especially now that it’s summer. Can you recommend a good non-greasy sunblock for both the face and body? By the way, I have sensitive skin and burn easily. Thanks for your help.

Kathrina

I think it’s great you are a religious user of sunblock — especially on the face. I myself make it a point to choose products with built-in SPF, be it my makeup or body lotion. Most women fail to see the importance of sun protection. Protect your skin as early as now. No one wants to stare into the mirror with wrinkles, age spots, and fine lines and later regret years of neglect.

Actually, it’s best to protect your skin even when you aren’t at the beach. Even walking from building to building can cause sun damage because of the everyday contact of the sun’s rays on your skin. I drive myself to places I have to go to so I try to use sunblock even on my hands and forearms which are hit by the rays of the sun when I drive. Always consider using a facial moisturizer and body lotion with at least an SPF of 15 and UVA/UVB protectors. Anything lower than SPF 15 is useless. Also, avoid catching some rays between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. It’s at this time of the day when the sun’s rays are most intense and damaging to the skin. Try to get yourself face powders and lip balms that contain SPF, too. It’s essential you equip yourself with a sunblock that provides both UVA and UVB protection. UVB rays are responsible for burning or sunburn while UVA rays cause the skin to age with fine lines, wrinkles, age spots. These are the harmful UV rays that cause skin cancer and damage the skin from within. 

I recommend Neutrogena’s new line of Ultra Sheer Sunblock with Helioplex technology. Most sunblocks may contain ingredients to protect your skin from UVB rays but when it comes to UVA rays, most suncreens break down. Neutrogena’s Helioplex technology provides superior broad-spectrum sun protection and shields your skin from the harmful and damaging rays of both UVA and UVB.

I’m like you – I also dislike the sticky feeling sunblock gives, especially now in our scorching summer heat! Since you also hate the greasy after-feel of most sunblocks, Neutrogena Ultra-Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock SPF 50+ with Helioplex will not disappoint (available at leading department stores, drugstores, and personal care stores). This sunblock is equipped with quick-dry properties and is wonderfully oil-free and waterproof. No need to wait extra minutes for the sunscreen to be absorbed. I tried it and my skin absorbed it the moment I put it on. The result was a smooth, velvety texture that felt so light and weightless. And I really liked the refreshing scent! It didn’t have that distinct sunblock smell at all. What I love most about this is it also boasts grease-absorbing and mattifying properties. And since you also use sunblock on your face every day, this product is perfect as a makeup base. And don’t worry, this sunblock is so gentle, it’s good even for sensitive skin like yours. This is a great product you can use every day for the face and body.

You can also try the Neutrogena Fresh Cooling Sunblock Gel SPF30 with Helioplex (available at leading department stores, drugstores, and personal care stores). It offers the same quick-absorbing and quick-drying properties as the Dry-Touch lotion, but this is great for those with oily skin who prefer non-creamy formulas. Since you mentioned you burn easily, this also gives a refreshing feeling to your skin and cools the skin on contact. 

For the beach, Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunblock with SPF 30 with Helioplex is your best bet (available at leading department stores, drugstores, and personal care stores). You can say goodbye to those thick, creamy sunscreens because this comes in a pressurized fine-mist container that works at every angle. Even your back and other hard-to-reach areas will now get complete coverage from the sun’s harmful rays. And even if you go for a swim, the sunblock is waterproof.

There are also other brands that I’ve tried, like, and keep stock of. Dermalogica Waterblock Solar Spray SPF 30 (available at Rustan’s) is water-resistant and provides full-spectrum protection against both damaging UVA and UVB rays. It is alcohol-free and contains no artificial color or fragrance. It’s easy to spray onto the body and goes on invisible. No white sunblock streaks! It also contains vitamins C and E that help protect the skin from environmental assault while vitamin A conditions the skin. For the face, you should try Dermalogica Oil Free Matte Block SPF 20 (also available at Rustan’s). This sunscreen is recommended for skin prone to excess oil and breakouts. This boasts a microsponge technology that absorbs oil and leaves skin with an all-day matte finish. It prevents shine without any powdery residue. This oil-free formula also contains soothing green tea to help calm inflammation caused by breakouts.

Another must-try is Beach Hut Clear Spray Sunblock with UVA and UVB protection (available at leading department stores, drugstores, and personal care stores). Apart from being sweatproof and waterproof, it promises not to leave any white gunk and stay invisible! And since it comes in a spray bottle, this spells a no-mess application. It comes in variants of SPF 36, SPF 75++, and SPF 20. No matter which sunblock you choose, keep in mind that it should provide protection from both UVA and UVB rays. Choose the one that answers your everyday needs and best fits your lifestyle and habits. And if you find yourself sunburnt from a careless and neglectful moment, no matter how tempting, do resist the urge to peel your skin. Doing so will harm rather than heal. Good luck!    

Rissa

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Of Mascaras And Scrubs

Hi, Lucy!

My mascara is always clumpy, what product can I use? I am also partial to using facial scrubs, but I feel that the one I have been using for a long time now does not work as well as it used to. Is it okay to use a facial scrub every day?

Marcia

Please try Chanel’s inimitable mascara, it is wonderful. It really separates the lashes and opens up the eyes. I am hooked on it because it really simplifies things. Chanel is available at Rustan’s.

As far as scrubs are concerned, it is okay to have it in your beauty regimen, but just don’t use it every day. Two to three times a week will suffice. Try the Seikisho Exfoliating Massage Gel (available at Rustan’s Essenses). It is a rinse-off type black thermal massage gel. Because of the thermal action, the skin feels as if wrapped with a hot towel and the black scrubs clean inside the pores that have been opened up. Skin is noticeably so smooth and clear after rinsing. Use this after your facial wash.

Lucy

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Makeup Pointers For Job Hunters

Dear Ms. Tingting,

I just graduated from a Hotel and Restaurant Management course. This summer, I am more into job-hunting. I learned that looks count so much, especially with jobs related to my course because it involves a lot of dealing with people. I am confident with the way I dress.  It’s how to put on proper makeup that I am not really good at. Could you give me pointers on how to apply foundation and powder, and tricks to keep foundation looking fresh all day so I won’t have to spend much?

Ghigit

Finding the right shade of foundation is vital in getting the best look. Test the foundation in natural light on the jawline, and keep in mind that yellow or golden-based shades are more flattering than those with pink undertones. To get the exact color you want, combine two shades of foundation. Mix them in your hand, not on your face. Blend makeup with a wedge sponge. If you’re self-tanned, mix your foundation with a drop of liquid bronze. For a more luminous look, blend in liquid highlighter such as Clinique Up-Lighting Liquid Illuminator.

Here are new tricks to keep your foundation and powder looking fresh all day:

• Cleanse and moisturize the skin. Wait for at least one minute for the cream to sink in.

• Dot foundation sparingly along the forehead, down the nose, and on the cheeks and chin.

• Blend the formula using a slightly moist wedge sponge (keep it dry for powder foundation). Begin at the center of the face and fan out. Foundation should fade into the hairline and jawline.

• With your fingers, pat concealer under the eyes to disguise any dark circles.

• Use a small, pointed brush to apply concealer on blemishes.

• Swirl a fluffy brush in loose powder. Top it to get rid of excess.

• To set foundation and eliminate any shine, use a light touch to sweep the powder on the T-zone. Apply other makeup as usual.

• If you have the budget for it and you have time to look for a silicon-based primer, avail of one. Apply it after your moisturizer and before your foundation to keep makeup longer lasting.

• To take down shine during the day, use powdered blotting paper for oily skin or the nonpowdered one for normal skin rather than the powdered, which can build up and look cakey on the skin.

Tingting

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Send e-mail to tingtingcojuangco@yahoo.com, ltg@pldtdsl.com, and stylesos_rissa@yahoo.com.