alex's eco-chic summer picks

I’m melting. At least that’s how it’s felt the last few days. And so, with summer in full swing, I've switched up some of my daily hair, skin, and makeup choices to work with the intense heat.

With wavy hair, combination skin, and an inability to leave my house without mascara, it’s all about finding the best products to make me feel put together when I’d rather be in the pool cooling off. And, as always, trying to do it all without parabens, petrochemicals, or synthetics.

Everyone knows by now that my love of green beauty knows no end, but I must say that when it comes to SPF, I don’t care if you go eco or not, just be sure to slather on a sunscreen with both UVA and UVB protection. (Lecture over.) Personally, I opt for Burt’s Bees SPF 30 and, if I'm staying in the sun, a hat to offer extra protection.

While I like the idea of facial moisturizers with an SPF in them, I swear by Dr. Hauschka’s Normalizing Day Oil ($42.95), which is SPF-less. So post-Dr. H, I use California Baby’s SPF 30 Stick ($14.99). For a bit of color, I’ll add a few drops of Dr. H’s Translucent Bronze Concentrate ($39.95) as I blend the sunscreen to cheeks, nose, and chin. (You can pick all of this up at Whole Foods, too.)

My tan is of the faux sort, and one of the best ways to extend its life is to moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Year-round I adore Korres body butters, but I now add Shea Moisture’s Organic Raw Shea Chamomile ArganOil Baby Lotion ($9.99). The lotion, which has the consistency of Vaseline minus the petro chems, melts into the skin.

Most of my makeup favorites are by tarte - their waterproof and longwearing products stand up to 95 degree weather, like multiplEYE mascara ($24), park ave princess bronzer ($29), and Amazonian clay 12-hour blush in tipsy ($25) – which I’ll sometimes mix with dollface cheek stain ($30). I want to try their new clay concealer, but for now I still think Physicians Formula mineral line ($8.95) does the trick. For lips, I love KORRES lip butters ($12) and highly recommend picking up this great set which gives you three for $19. 

 

In this heat, I tend to keep my hair up (OK, I always seem to have my hair up), and so Goody Spin Pins ($6.29) are my go to. I’ll often throw on an elastic headband or pin back my shorter layers with barrettes by France Luxe ($9) - you can pick these up at J. Crew, too - or petite bobby pins from Goody ($2.99). For ponytails, I love the snag-free elastics from Sephora ($3.50), and the matchbook-like case that keeps them organized. If I wear it down, I spray on California Baby detangler ($11.49), and put it in a bun until it’s dry.

I switch purses often, but this summer, I’m never without a set of Spin Pins, Mrs Meyers Baby Blossom Stick ($6.99), a travel-sized tube of Korres Rice Bran mascara ($18), Revlon Superlustrous gloss in Firecracker with SPF 15 ($6.99),* and the limited edition tarte True Blood lip tint ($24). Both the gloss and lip tint can go from everyday to evening depending on how much you apply. The True Blood lip tint is my new favorite for a pop of bright color - and it also works well as a quick bit of cheek color, too. From day to evening, I’m covered!

For now, I’m off to sit outside and work by the pool - I suppose summer isn’t all bad. xo a.

*I know the Revlon isn’t an eco-pick but I am trying to find good SPF lip glosses. The search goes on.

FAVORITES: Natural Sunscreens

Summer is most definitely here (finally!) and I, for one, have gotten my first tan of the season. I, of course, applied SPF to both face and body and, in my current quest to switch to as many natural and organic products as possible, I used a natural sun block for the very first time: Alba's Aloe Vanilla SUNBLOCK Mineral SPF 30. It was fabulous. Rich, super creamy with an incredibly fragrant vanilla smell. Not like those beachy, sunscreen smells we remember years (and tans) past. This was more like a lotion scent, something I could wear around for the day and not get nauseated by.

And it got me thinking - there must be tons of fabulous natural sunscreens on the market place... so I did some research. And there are.

Here, 5 great natural sunscreens for your tanning pleasure:

Burt's Bees Chemical-Free Sunscreen SPF 30 - This 100% natural, non-whitening formula provides broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection and helps keep skin hydrated without using chemical sunscreen actives like octinoxate and oxybenzone. Instead, titanium dioxide, a naturally-occurring mineral creates a micro-fine barrier on your skin to reflect the sun's harmful rays. $11.50

Jason Natural Cosmetics Sunbrellas MINERAL Natural Sunblock, SPF 30 - This hypoallergenic sun block is extra mild and safe for use on babies and sensitive adults. Enriched with Chamomile and Marigold Extracts, this sun block not only protects but soothes. No Mineral Oil, Petrolatum or Waxes, Fragrance-Free and Paraben-Free. $14.99

 Aveeno Natural Protection Sunblock Lotion SPF 30 - contains MINERALBLOCK Technology with 100% naturally-sourced active ingredients, a more natural alternative. MINERALBLOCK Technology forms a protective barrier on top of baby's skin that scatters both UVA and UVB rays. This oil-free, non-whitening formula is also fragrance-free, waterproof, and hypoallergenic. $10.99

Badger SPF 30+ Lightly Scented Lavender Sunscreen - Certified Natural & Chemical-Free - Uncoated, Non-Nano Zinc Oxide Sunscreen with Superior Broad Spectrum UVA and UVB Protection. Certified Organic ingredients, are naturally water resistant, safe for children of all ages, block both UVA and UVB rays, and thoroughly moisturize while they protect you from the sun. $16.00

Alba Aloe Vanilla SUNBLOCK Mineral SPF 30 - Certified organic Aloe Vera and Chamomile moisturize and soothe skin. Grape Seed Oil, Tea Tree and Vitamin E provide antioxidant protection. Helps prevent sunburn with an effective, mineral-based, UVA & UVB broad-spectrum reflective barrier. $9.95

Sun Savior: Murad Essential-C

We know the sun's terrible for our skin, but we still like to bathe in it. It's like knowing that a guy is SO wrong for you, yet you're instantly attracted to him. Sometimes, the worse something is for us, the more we want it.

Bad choices in men, you have therapy. Bad sunning habits, you have Murad's Essential-C line. 

There's a cleanser, a toner, eye cream with spf 15, serum (amazing!), an age spot and pigment lightening gel, a night cream and a day cream with spf 30.

The line is meant to correct age spots and sun spots, hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone and combat lines and wrinkles.

A word (or several...) from the company:

"Everyday living is harsh on your skin. Daily exposure to sunlight,
smog, pollution and stress is the #1 cause of premature aging.
Murad's Environmental Shield® product line will help restore,
renew and protect your skin against sun damage, preventing and
reversing environmental damage through the science of cellular water™."

Vitamin C is so essential for healthy skin. It lightens, brightens and tightens. Basically, evening out the skin tone while making skin appear more radiant and tightening pores. It's most effective for sun-damaged skin. The Essential-C Day Moisture SPF 30 ($60.00) is an incredible summer moisturizer plus sun protector. It hydrates the skin while giving you daily UVA/ UVB protection (although if I'm baking in the sun - swimming or beaching, I still apply an SPF 50 to my face. I DO NOT want wrinkles!).

There's also an introductory kit for $39.95 that gives you a healthy dose of vitamin C in mini quantities. It contains all of the essentials and is a great starter...

Tis the Season... For Sunscreen

Christmas came and went, and I hope that Santa left you some amazing beauty items under the tree! While NYC is under seige by a major snow storm, I realize that many of you are on (or leaving for) vacation -- be it, sun or snow, the must-have item you need to come armed with is...

SUNSCREEN! Yes, even those frolicking in the snow are subject to sunburn (the snow actually acts as a reflector, where the sun beams off and effects your skin in a bad, bad way).

My current sunscreen of choice is Murad's Essential C Day Moisture SPF 30. I'm pretty much obsessed with the entire Murad Essential C range, the Age Spot & Pigment Lightening Gel is another favorite that exfoliates skin to lighten discoloration due to sun or environmental damage.

Anyway, the SPF 30 moisturizer is genius because it acts as an amazing skin hydrator while protecting your face from UVA and UVB rays. It's antioxidant rich and is meant to replenish environmetally stressed skin. Plus, it's made without parabens, sulfates and petrochemicals so it's actually good for your skin.

Right now, you can purchase the Murad Envirnmental Shield 30 Day Kit for $49.95. The sampler set includes a cleanser, serum and Day Moisture with SPF 30.

Protecting your skin is in... tis the season - wrinkle-free!

PRICE TAG: $60.00

FAVORITES: Sunscreen

As the temps rise, so too does our probability factor for sun damage. Be cautious, people. A tan may look divine this instant, but wrinkles, brown spots and, God forbid, skin cancer, are not cute looks. Seriously. Cover up!

Here is my current list of favorite sunscreens:

La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 - An ultra light, fast absorbing, matte finish sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays. The screen is water-resistant and fragrance-free, so it's an ideal choice for sensitive skin.  PRICE: $19.28

Elta MD UV Clear SPF 46 - Calms and protects acne-prone skin. Contains broad spectrum UVA/ UVB protection and 9% transparent zinc oxide. Paraben-free, oil-free and fragrance-free with high-purity Niacinamide (vitamin B3) to help reduce the appearance of blemishes and discoloration. Goes on clear, consistancy is light.  PRICE TAG: $29.00

Dr. Jessica Wu Anti-Aging Sun Care SPF 32 - Oil-free and fragrance-free with 6.4% zinc oxide, this combination moisturizer and sunscreen is ideal for anti-aging benefits. White Peony and Scutellaria repair and rejuvenate the skin while Superoxide Dismutase protects against environmental damage.  PRICE TAG: $75.00

Mario Badescu Oil Free Moisturizer SPF 30 - Combination face moisturizer and sunscreen, this lightweight, greaseless lotion protects against UVA and UVB rays.  Aloe Vera hydrates while Green Tea Extract provides anti-aging protection. Great for combination, oiloy and acne-prone skin. PRICE TAG: $22.00

Happy Labor Day!

Wishing you a happy and safe Labor Day, pretties! This beauty blogger will be relaxing poolside (or roof side) armed with my SPF, of course.

Today's SPF of choice: California Baby Sunscreen Stick with SPF 30 because everything in stick form is more fun (and easier to apply). Not to mention it's chemical and paba-free. And like all California Baby products, made with the most gentle and natural ingredients. $13.99 and worth every cent!

What will you be wearing???

Check back tomorrow for another fun filled week of beauty bantering and a beautiful bathing beauty post...

xoxo,

Beauty Banter

CALIFORNIA GIRL

Not two weeks after I wrote about the Environmental Working Group’s sunscreen report, I got a sunburn. Nice, huh? I don’t burn generally and wear SPF but some spots are more sensitive than others and my scalp rarely gets much sunshine. With my hair pulled back in a center part, a day in the pool ended with a not so lovely pink line across my head. Blushing with embarrassment maybe? Well, it won’t be a repeat event thanks to California Baby’s No Fragrance SPF 30+ Sunblock Stick.

I use the sunblock stick on my face whenever I’m spending a day outdoors, at the beach or in the pool because it doesn’t clog pores, is broad spectrum UVA/UVB coverage and perfect to throw in your bag wherever you go. But it’s also fabulous around eyes as it doesn’t run, for the décolletage where the skin is thinner (and tends to show the most sun damage) and yes, the hairline.

It received an amazing score of 1 from the EWG (10 being the worst on their scale) and as the company explains, “Our non-chemical sunblock stick employs a highly micronized, non-whitening titanium dioxide that scatters and reflects dangerous UV rays, offering UVA-UVB broad-spectrum protection.” The fact it is non-staining thrills me to no end because I love a classic black maillot and my old sunscreen stick could leave marks if it got on clothes. Plus, when my friend’s two year old wanted to put it on herself I didn’t have to worry if it she decided to protect her bathing suit straps along with her shoulders. California Baby is looking out for all ages.

Since SPF is an important part of a year-round skin care routine, California Baby also recommends using it under makeup “because it is non-greasy and creates a nice "cover-up" base under foundation or powder.” Add to that organic and sustainable ingredients and an endorsement from PETA, it’s a product that reflects eco-beauty at it’s finest.

You can purchase California Baby’s line of sunblock sticks and lotions year-round at Whole Foods and Target stores or online here or in a 2-pack here. xo a.

HELLO SUNSHINE!

Based on the number of beach pics showing up in my Facebook feed, summer has definitely arrived. But before you slather on your sunscreen, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has released their annual findings for 2009. The information is extensive (they tested 1,599 name brand sunscreen products) and here are the key facts you need to know, along with some of their top picks from drugstore to department store.

The EWG found that 3 out of 5 sunscreen products (that includes hybrid sunscreen-moisturizers, lip balms, etc.) did not provide adequate sun protection and/or contained ingredients with “significant safety concerns.” Amongst the newer broad spectrum UVA/UVB brands now on the shelves, the EWG found only 5% were actually effective.

Is there any good news in this? Yes. Out of almost 1,600 tested, the EWG found 85 safe, effective sunscreen products they endorse. Here are a few of their top picks at every price point:

SUNSCREENS

California Baby SPF 30+ Everyday/Year-Round Sunscreen Lotion

Jason Natural Products Sunbrellas Chemical Free Sun Block

Mustela High Protection Sun Lotion SPF 50

La Roche-Posay Anthelios 40 Sunscreen Cream

Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Sunblock Lotion SPF 60


SUNSCREENS with MOISTURIZERS

Olay Regenerist Advanced Anti-Aging Uv Defense Regenerating Lotion Spf 50

Juice Beauty SPF 30 Mineral Light Moisturizer

Stila Tinted Moisturizer Sheer Color SPF 15

Eucerin Everyday Protection Face Lotion, SPF 30

Ole Henriksen Sun-Light Protection Creme With Green Tea SPF 30


LIPBALMS with SPF

Bare Escentuals I.d. Lip Guard Spf 15

Alba Botanica TerraTints SPF 18

Nivea A Kiss of Protection Sun Protection Lip Care with SPF 30

Md Skincare Powerful Sun Protection Lip Balm, Spf 25

Vincent Longo Cushion Lips SPF 20

You can access the entire list of products along with the EWG annual report here. xo a.

WEEKLY MUST-HAVE: Peter Thomas Roth Powder Sunscreen

I'm obsessed with summer. As daily readers of this site can attest, I love me a tan. But in my "old age" I've realized that harsh effects that sun causes on skin and thus, I NEVER LEAVE THE HOUSE WITHOUT SUNSCREEN, EVER!

Now, I have an oilier complexion than most... and my skin is super sensitive. I'm not a fan of those thick, weighty creams that don't absorb and leave a white residue on my mug. I've been using Neutrogena's Dry Touch for ages but I think I'm loving my new find even more... well, let's just say that they're in close competition.

Peter Thomas Roth's Un-Wrinkle Instant Mineral SPF 30 is a genius product created for oilier skin types that can't deal with the greasiness of lotion sunscreen. It's super compact and convenient. The brush is attached to the mineral powder which, in turn, is loaded with titanium dioxide and zinc (protecting against UVA and UVB rays). To re-educate yourself on the importance of zinc in your sunscreen, click here. My only issue is that I wish the SPF was 50 or higher (I usually wear SPF 70!).

The translucent powder mattifies as it protects. Perfect choice for sensitive, oily or aging skin. The color pretty much suits all skin tones too.

No excuses... block the sun, ladies.

PRICE TAG: $35.00

Tips For Staying Youthful In The Sun

Happy Memorial Day, ladies!!!

Long weekends are made for sunning! Be smart, be safe, there's nothing worse than leathery skin and damaged tresses!


Here are some tips for lounging poolside - or beach side - and preserving your youth:

• Wear a hat to shield hair and face from the sun
• Use a hair protective product to guard your color and your ends from sun, salt and chlorine. I like Matrix Biolage Protective Hair Oil. It prevents the drying effects of sun, chlorine and saltwater, leaves hair soft, shiny and tangle-free and adds instant shine and moisture. Safe for color-treated hair too!
  
• Big sunglasses aren't only in style, they protect the delicate eye area from the harsh effects of the sun's rays
• SPF, SPF, SPF. Face, body, fingers, toes... everywhere! Take it from Izzie Stevens (Grey's Anatomy), skin cancer is serious, even lethal. Sunscreen To Try: Clinique's new sun line is fabulous. It protects against both UVA and UVB rays and is 100 % fragrance free (a perfect choice for sensitive skin). The Sun SPF 50 Face Cream is great for the mug and the Sun SPF 30 Body Cream will protect the bod. Also invest in the Sun SPF 45 Targeted Protection Stick - a must-have for lips, scars and fragile skin areas (I like it for around my eyes - just in case my giant sunglasses slip off).
• Keep hydrated! Drink tons of water... try adding a vitamin supplement for flavor and health. Super C Vitamin Mix Drink in Orange is inexpensive ($1.99) and loaded with 100 mg of Vitamin C plus antioxidants!

And, of course, have fun!

5 Reasons To Shop In This Recession

The economy may still be tanking, but we need to get in there a recirculate the money, ladies! Here are 5 ways to start (and keep your skin beautiful!)....

1. Moving into Spring, flawless skin is a must. MAC's newest Studio Sculpt with SPF 15 is a gel-based foundation and a sunscreen all in one! Try going a shade darker than your actual complexion for an added hint of color (more natural than a bronzer). $28.00


2. L'Oreal's Skin Genesis Pore Minimizer Skin Re-Smoother will help to even out skin tone, reduce pores and the appearance of lines and wrinkles for an overall clearer complexion. It's a cream worthy of hundreds of dollars, but it retails for a cool $19.99. Loves it!


3. LaLicious Body Oil in Coconut Cream can double as a moisturizer AND tanner (although Beauty Banter highly recommends using an SPF when catching rays). At the very least, the oil will make skin appear tanner and leaner! The yummy coconut smell has summer sun written all over it. Skin will smell fresh and feel so spectacularly soft! I use it after the bath, and apply to wet skin for even added hydration. $24.00


4. Clinique's Comfort on Call is a creamy balm that relieves parched skin. It's great for severely dry areas - you can use it on your face, but I like to use it on my knees and elbows as those places are the most dry. It's fragrance free and won't irritate sensitive skin (in fact, the balm is rather soothing!). Great for shielding skin from harsh weather and pollutants. $39.50


5. Moisturizer with SPF is essential. Pur~lisse's Pur-Protect is lightweight and nourishing. It absorbs quickly without leaving a white residue, protects against UVA and YVB rays and soothes sensitive skin (like mine!) thanks to the White Tea. I love how soft it leaves my skin. You can use alone or layer on top of a thicker face moisturizer. $55.oo

5 Reasons to Shop.... 5 Ways to Beautify Your Skin...

What products are YOU willing to shell out the cash for?

Interesting...

I just left my local CVS and noticed that they are FINALLY carrying the La Roche Posay Anthelios with SPF 40.... if you're well informed on the sunblock "conspiracy" then you know that the FDA had only approved Mexoryl (the leading broad spectrum ingredient in the sunscreen - read the controversy by clicking HERE) up to SPF 20 in the United States... however, you could still buy a higher SPF over in our neighbor's drugstores in Canada or in Europe...

But, it looks like SPF 40 with Mexoryl has finally been approved (unless of course I've misread their advertisement).

Does anyone have the dirt on this???

Just in time for the END of summer....

The NEED for ZINC (in Sunscreen)!

I was very discouraged when I recently discovered that my must-have sunscreen, Neutrogena's Ultra Sheer Sunblock with Helioplex, does NOT contain ZINC!!! It still does contain other vital ingredients that do protect against UVA and UVB sun exposure.
It's no secret that zinc oxide is a very important component in sunscreens. Why? The properties in zinc actually block the sun completely by reflecting and/ or scattering the sun's rays (because zinc is a metal!) Remember being a kid and having your mother put those embarrassing colored zinc balms on your face (and nose) while frolicking in the sun? That's because zinc acts as a barrier from the sun. And as a child, our faces are very tender and we needed that total protection!
Zinc is a necessity for people with sunspots and melasma. The problem with pigmentation issues is that any light affects the pigment. Unlike all of the other fancy ingredients that do protect your skin, zinc completely blocks light (sun) from penetrating the skin's surface (thus keeping pigment normal(ish) and at bay).

So, with this in mind, I've found a great sunscreen that has broad spectrum UVA/ UVB protection and ZINC! It's also loaded with antioxidants and green tea - AB Sun's Advanced Anti-Photoaging Complex SPF 45 was developed by renowned dermotologist, Dr. Craig Austin. I've been using it religiously (although I do mix it with my Neutrogena because I still love the dry-touch technology) for the past couple of weeks. I do notice a difference in the sunspots. Not that they've disappeared - because, let's be honest, a sunscreen's not going to do that - but they haven't gotten darker. The sunscreen has a light redish/ brown color to it (I'm not quite sure why) but it absorbs clear. It's a tad on the heavy side for me (as I have very oily skin) so I use it sparingly... and mostly on the areas where I tend to get sunspots.

A word (or several...) from the company:
"With advanced anti-photoaging complex, AB Sun has been formulated to block UV radiation and provide broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection using micronized zinc oxide. With SPF 45, AB Sun delivers a unique antioxidant, free radical quenching and neutralizing complex whose composition includes green tea polyphenols and caffeine, two of the most potent ingredients in fighting the signs of aging. This advanced sun protection product blocks UV radiation and neutralizes damaging UV-induced free radicals, all with a moisturizing base. It’s your best defense against the sun, with all in one protection."


PRICE TAG: $45.00 for 4 oz

Another fabulous sunscreen that contains zinc oxide is Armada Face and Body Shield SPF 60. It's a skin lightening, full-spectrum (UVA/ UVB protection), fragrance and preservative-free sunscreen that actually fights photoaging and melasma AND lightens skin naturally while wearing it! It's a super light cream (better for oily skin) that absorbs clear into skin.

A word (or several...) from the company:
"The most comprehensive protection, with some of the highest protection factors ever against the full spectrum of skin-harming light: indoor and outdoor UVA, UVB, Infrared and Visible Light. Truly impressive power in a weightless, anti-oxidant créme that works for your skin's perfection. Banishes wrinkles, fine lines and other signs of photo-ageing. When used everyday, indoors and out, Armada also helps erase melasma. Protection so strong, skin lightens naturally. Arms your skin with renewed elasticity and vibrancy. "


PRICE TAG: $47.00 for 85 grams

WEEKLY MUST-HAVE!

Here's a cool spin on things: a bronzing POWDER with SPF... yes, I know it's been around for some time but it's a current obsession of mine, and due to the heat, I felt it was quite timely.

Pre-summer, PTR launched their Instant Mineral Powder SPF's... I didn't really care for this product. I really wanted to love it, but I just couldn't. It was messy and the powder either exploded from the brush or barely came out at all. And I could never get the darn top back on without blugeoning the bristles! Needless to say, I wasn't a fan (and I usually love all things PTR!).

(sadly, no go)

But then on a recent jaunt to Sephora I discovered Stila's Sun Bronzing Powder with SPF 15. It's actually a near-perfect "natural" colored tan that also offers sun protection. Two products for the price of one... we love it! (Although, as always, you should be using a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 45 with both UVA and UVB screening filters... but this is a great addition to your everyday sunscreen.)

(the bomb!)

The powder is pressed - which means no messes! - and it comes in two shades - shade 1 (sheer golden matte bronze) and shade 2 (sheer warm matte bronze). I use shade 2 because I have naturally darker skin. Even without the spf (although this is a great summer beach bag must-have) this bronzer would still be amazing and worth the purchase! After all, it is Stila's "best-selling bronzing powder formula." How can you go wrong?!

PRICE TAG: $28.00 (click HERE to purchase)

HAPPY 4th MY FELLOW BEAUTIES!!!!

It's hot out there (at least in Los Angeles it is) and that means... load up on the sunscreen! Save you skin years of irreversible sun damage!

Editor's Choice: Peter Thomas Roth's Uber-Dry Sunscreen with SPF 30


Oil-free, fragrance-free, shine-free finish, water resistant, absorbs quickly, weightless (no icky white sunscreen residue left on face and body) AND it protects against UVA and UVB rays. Oh yeah, it also contains vitamins A, C & E and anti-oxidants.
Note to Self: Do not leave home without your tube... or your face and body will suffer!

For additional sun and swim tips, click HERE (for some good old fashioned do's and dont's) and HERE (for sweatproofing in style).

WISHING YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES A HAPPY, HEALTHY, SAFE AND BURN-FREE INDEPENDENCE DAY...

The Truth About Sunblock!!!

Until recently, sunblock protected against UVB rays but NOT UVA rays. UVB rays cause burns while UVA rays cause wrinkles and a greater risk of skin cancer. So, you have to wonder, why would American sunscreens opt out of UVA protection?

In America, the amount of UVA protection is not quantified, however, in Europe it is. Thus, we end up with SPF protection of up to 70 yet little to no protection against the harsh and potentially deadly rays of UVA.

Mexoryl, a breakthrough ingredient creating buzz through it's ability to protect against UVA filters, is commonly used in European sunscreens but rarely used in American ones. This is due to the FDA not approving the ingredient.

However, in 2006, L'oreal, which also owns the patent to Mexoryl, was given the go ahead to use the drug in their sunscreens. From my understanding, it is only legal in SPF 20, nothing higher. If you want a higher SPF, you have to get it in Europe or Canada.

Sunscreens to buy on line with Mexoryl (La Roche has a massive arsenal of products to choose from):

La Roche Posay Anthelios Dermo-Pediatrics SPF 40 Sunscreen Spray
with Mexoryl SX and Mexoryl XL

La Roche Anthelios XL 60spf

La Roche-Posay Anthelios TINTED SPF 50+ Creme

L'oreal UV Perfect Ultimate Protection Fluid with Mexoryl XL SPF 50 (although, for some reason, I can't find this anywhere on line!)

L'oreal RevitaLift UV with Mexoryl SPF 15 (this one is the only Mexoryl sunscreen sold on the L'oreal website in the United States... I guess that 15 is better then no protection.)

I recently discovered a fabulous sunscreen for sensitive skin that not only protects against UVA and UVB rays, but it's also ultra-sheer, with dry touch technology, PERFECT for oily, acne-prone and sensitive skin types. AND you can purchase it in the states!!!

Neutrogena's Ultra Sheer Sunblock with Helioplex with SPF 55 or SPF 70

What is helioplex?

Neutrogena says, "Helioplex™ technology contains two FDA approved sunscreens, Avobenzone and Oxybenzone. Avobenzone does an excellent job of blocking UV rays—especially UVA rays—but its protection against UVA rays can weaken after prolonged sun exposure. Helioplex™ technology combines Avobenzone with Oxybenzone so that Neutrogena Sun Protection products can effectively screen out UVB burning rays—and help stop UVA rays from penetrating skin's surface layers."

It's not Mexoryl, but it's a start... and definitely better then the other sun protection products on the market!

So next time you feel like baking in the sun, PLEASE remember to protect your skin from both UVB AND UVA rays!!! Sunscreen isn't effective if it's just guarding you from UVB... in fact, that's only 1/3 of the protection needed (fine for sun burns, but not for skin cancer)!

And why won't the FDA approve Mexoryl in higher SPF's??? We need to demand more (or fly to Europe to buy our sunscreens...)!