Your Ideal Sunscreen Match

I know I've been talking a lot about sunscreen and using sunscreen lotion but that just goes to show how important it is right?; especially now that we are in the summer months.

Within the last two weeks I talked about:

Sunscreen Products Exposed
Ingredients that make Sunscreen Effective and
Coppertone's New Nutrashield Sunscreen

Today, I want you to take a quiz entitled, "What's Your Ideal Sunscreen Match?" I recently took this quiz and my results reveal that my ideal sunscreen match is Chemical Free (no surprise there). I have darker skin and I don't spend much time in the sun so I don't need a heavy duty SPF. Minimum SPF 15 is recommended for my skin color and lack of time in the sun...I still use SPF30 and here's why: An SPF of 15 only filters out 93% of UVB rays. Lower than that increases the risk of skin burning and developing skin cancer. Hence, the minimum SPF of 30 is better. 93% is high but that 7% oh boy I don't want to mess with it and you shouldn't either. Stick with SPF of 30 at a minimum and even high such as SPF of 50 if you are fair skin or spend lots of time in the sun.

Take the Quiz and make sure you are using the best sunscreen for your skin and lifestyle.
http://www.totalbeauty.com/content/quizzes/q_sunscreen

When you are done with the quiz, come back and share your results.

New Coppertone NutraShield

Coppertone has a new sunscreen lotion called NutraShield. I wanted to pass along some information on this new sunscreen lotion since I have been looking at various sunscreens along with their ability to really provide protection from UVA and UVB rays.

Schering-Plough boasts the Coppertone NutraShield as their best sunscreen lotion as it has a dual defense: powerful sunscreen protection PLUS Antioxidant protection to help promote natural skin repair.

Coppertone also gives a 100% guarantee for photostability which is the ability of a sunscreen ingredient to maintain its protective power and not break down during exposure to UV rays.

You can pick up a coupon for $5 off of the new Coppertone NutraShield at www.coppertone.com. Brooke Shields is the spokesperson and her skin actually looks phenomenal. I can't wait to try this product. It's been a bit rainy with little sun in NY lately but summer is coming and I will be using this product.

Here are some of Coppertone's Smart Sunscreen Use along with some of my own commentary:

• Apply sunscreen before you are exposed to the sun.
  
  
• Don't skimp on application. Use it liberally and apply it evenly over all your exposed skin to ensure complete coverage. Reapply as needed. (My suggestion: every 2 hours)
  
  
• Don't overlook spots like your ears, neck, shoulders and the back of your neck. They need sunscreen too. So does your scalp if you have thin or thinning hair.
  
  
• The higher the SPF, the greater the protection. We recommend using a sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher whenever you'll be outdoors. (I recommend a minimum of SPF 30 - especially for lighter skin. Our ozone layer has been depleting for years, extra protection can't hurt and is actually necessary)
  
  
• Select sunscreens that can keep up with kids. Because children can spend hours playing in the sun and surf, they have specific sun care needs. Use waterproof sunscreens with SPF 30 or higher (so kids should start at SPF 30 but not adults? umm I think not. We all need to start with a broad spectrum sunscreen beginning with SPF 30) Keep babies under six months of age out of the sun and consult a doctor before applying sunscreen.

Whatever sunscreen lotion you use, make sure it has UVA and UVB protection with an SPF of 30 and above. I'm going to pick up my Coppertone NutraShield soon....but not until I get my $5 off coupon!