A Balanced Approach to Sun Protection

According to Prevention Magazine [June 2011] 69% of women lie to themselves saying they don't need sunscreen. Don't be one of them.  Arm yourself with the simplest and strongest weapons we have against wrinkles, age spots and skin cancer. 

Reality Check  You don't have to be on the beach to soak up rays. Most people rack up 14 hours of casual UV exposure per week. Makeup and a daily lotion with SPF are great steps, but 'the protection is short-lived on hot, sunny days' says NYC dermatologist Arielle Kauvar, MD. Use a sweat-resistant sunscreen with at least SPF30 on all sun-exposed skin to be safe.

Does Mineral Makeup Provide Enough Sun Protection? excerpts from Skincare-news.com team
Dermatologist Leslie Baumann, MD writes that many of her patients choose mineral powders because of the SPF.  Women put on about 0.085 grams of powder, while we would need to apply 1.2 grams to receive the full SPF benefit.  A balanced approach can be achieved by using a daily sunscreen along with your mineral makeup to maintain a healthy, luminous appearance.
First Line of Defense
Sunscreen for optimal protection, apply a separate sunscreen underneath your mineral makeup.
Second Line of Defense
Mineral Makeup Face Value Cosmetics face*value Mineral Foundations



Protection from the Inside Out [GCI May 2011]
Some antioxidants, particularly the carotenoids, are structured to preferentially absorb the most harmful wavelengths of UV light, quenching free radicals, protecting the skin, strengthening collagen and elastin, stanching inflammation and DNA damage, and altogether putting the brakes on photo-oxidative stress.

Carotenoids are yellow, orange, and red pigments synthesized by plants. The most common carotenoids in North American diets are alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, and lycopene.  Go To This LInk for more info: Carotenoids

Allure/June2011 SKIN RX
excerpted from  Dermatologist Ava Shamban new book 'The Breakthrough Plan for Renewal'
Rrecommendations for her Beverly Hills celeb's:

1. Wear a high daily SPF over a potent antioxidant serum to protect skin from free radicals.
2. Use retinols at night, unless you are pregnant.
3. Eat well and exercise
4. Every five to six weeks get customized peels, which remove dead cells and discoloration caused by sun damage.  Getting the surface completely smooth is what gives skin luminosity. They also get more facials than most of us.