LOVE . SUN . BEAUTY

The First Steps to Take When You Get a Sunburn

Sunburns are the worst, not only because they hurt, but also because they severely damage our skin. Even if you wear sunscreen, there's a chance you may forget to reapply it (or maybe didn't apply enough to begin with) and end up with a sunburn. We're not going to lecture you on why sunburns are bad, so instead we're going to share a few tips of what to do when you get a sunburn and how to treat it.

Get Out of the Sun

The moment you notice a sunburn forming, take action. If your skin is red, get out of the sun. A sunburn can take four to six hours to develop so even if you only think your skin is red, it could turn into something worse a few hours later. Also, take ibuprofen, which can reduce swelling and redness.

Take a Cool Shower

Jump into the shower and turn the shower head to a mild cool temperature. Avoid overly perfumed soaps and delicately clean your skin with an unscented, plain soap.

Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize

It's critical that you keep your skin moisturized. After a sunburn, your skin is incredibly thirsty. Moisturizing not only helps your burn heal faster, but it also lessens the severity of skin peeling. Use a moisturizer that has aloe vera in it.

Stay Hydrated

Not only is your skin thirsty, but your entire body is dehydrated after a sunburn. Drink a lot of fluids, especially water and sports drinks.

Heal Naturally

There are a number of natural options for healing a sunburn. For one, try witch hazel for anti-inflammatory relief. Moisten a cloth with it and drape the cloth over your burn for several minutes. Fat-free milk can also help soothe your burn. In the shower, instead of using soap, try vinegar, which is a great astringent.

Once your sunburn heals, don't be afraid to go out in the sun again. Just make sure you are thoroughly protected. If you have a bad habit of not remembering to reapply sunscreen, consider wearing UV wear, which is clothing with UPF in it. This is a great way to protect your skin all day long.

Author: Melissa Darcey

It may not yet be summer, but it's certainly on its way. As much as we love summer and the warm sun, it also means a greater chance of damage to our skin. While you should always be protecting your skin year round - even in the winter - it's even more important in the summer when the sun is at its strongest. Luckily, with so many ways to protect your skin, summer doesn't mean you have to hide indoors and chase the shadows. You can have fun in the beautiful outdoors worry-free. Here are five easy ways to protect your beautiful skin all summer long.

Sunscreen

Sunscreen is the most obvious form of skin protection. With so many sunscreen brands and types on the market, how do you know which one to pick? Here are some simple pointers:

• Check the expiration date. Never use expired sunscreen, as it won't protect your skin. If your bottle doesn't have an expiration date, check the consistency of the sunscreen. If it feels gritty or clumpy, it's likely expired. In general, sunscreen is supposed to last three years, but that varies greatly by brand and ingredients.
• Shoot for SPF 30-50. Many dermatologists agree that SPF 30 is the sweet spot for protection levels. Don't fall into the trap of thinking SPF 30 protects twice as much as SPF 15. SPF works on a scale basis. SPF 15 blocks around 94% of UVB rays, and SPF 30 blocks about 97%. SPF 45 or 50 blocks around 98%. After that, the increase is minimal. Many dermatologists agree that SPF 80 and 100 is more of a gimmick to get you to spend more. No sunscreen of any level blocks 100% of rays.
• Apply enough. Too many people don't apply enough sunscreen. It should take you several minutes to rub all the sunscreen into your skin. Don't apply a thin layer; glob it on! Take the time to massage it thoroughly into your skin. There used to be a rule that claimed you needed a shot glass size of sunscreen. However, everyone's body is a different size, so that rule doesn't apply well for most people. Judge for yourself, but when in doubt, apply twice as much as you think you need.
• Reapply every hour or two. Sunscreen doesn't do you much good if you only apply it once. If you plan on being outside all day, bring a tube with you and reapply every hour or so.

UPF Clothing

Clothing with UPF (essentially the fabric version of SPF) has made major strides in the past few years. When UV wear first entered the market, the fabric was thick, unattractive, and uncomfortable. Today, there are some great options on the market. We love Sundriven, which offers stylish dresses, wraps, gloves, and more. Each item is made with an eco-friendly fabric that feels soft as silk but lighter than linen. It keeps your skin cool when it's warm out and features UPF 50+. UPF clothing is great to wear over your arms, chest, hands, and legs so you don't have to worry about sunscreen and reapplying so often. UV wear is particularly great for your hands, since most people forget to apply sunscreen on their hands. And, even if they do, they may accidentally wash it off when they wash their hands.

Hats

Don't forget to protect your delicate scalp! This is doubly important for women who color their hair or who have dark hair. It's not uncommon to forget about your ears and scalp, and it's really hard to protect your scalp as sunscreens are too greasy for your head. While there are some sprays on the market, many of them are still oily and greasy. The easiest and most stylish way to protect your head is with an oversized hat.

Sunglasses

Your eyes are extremely delicate and need protection. Not only do sunglasses protect your eyes, but they also protect the delicate skin around them. Prevent crow's feet and fine lines around your eyes by wearing a large pair of sunglasses. The darker the tint better, so go for a stylish pair of black sunglasses.

Food

What? That's right. Several foods have UV protective powers and can help strengthen your skin and nourish it. Tomatoes are great because they have lycopene, which acts as a natural sunscreen. Other foods rich in antioxidants are kale, olives, Brazil nuts, and green tea.

Author: Melissa Darcey

Happy Memorial Day everyone! This holiday always seems to act as an official reminder about the impending summer days. It's the perfect time of year to shop for your summer essentials so you'll be ready and fashionable for every BBQ, beach day, baseball game, or weekend getaway.

Make sure you have these essentials on your summer list.

A Bathing Suit

What's summer without swimming, whether it's in a pool, lake, or the ocean? One-pieces are making a comeback and we love this style from Victoria's Secret:

A Bathing Suit Cover-Up

Don't forget a simple cover-up to throw on over your bathing suit. We love the Sundriven Lena 6-way hooded wrap. There are so many different ways to wear it and the fabric is cool and comfortable. Best of all, with UPF 50+ in the fabric, you can protect your skin.

A Carryall Bag

In summer, you want a bag that can store just about everything you need and that won't easily get dirty. We love a colorful and sturdy canvas bag, like this one from TOMS.

Sunscreen

Of course you can't forget about sunscreen! It's a must year-round and especially in the summer. We love this tinted daily shield with SPF 40 from Clarins. It feels more like a moisturizer than greasy sunscreen. 

And for the rest of your body? We love this lotion spray, also by Clarins.

Sunglasses

Protect your eyes with some fun sunglasses. For summer, we like to go a little wild and colorful with our sunglasses. These from Madewell are in our bag.

A Hat

A hat not only protects your scalp and face from sunburns, but it also looks stylish. We love this retro looking hat from Urban Outfitters.

A Wear Everywhere Dress

Lastly, our summer must-haves list includes a dress that you can wear everywhere and anywhere. Our pick is the Sundriven Ava dress, which features UPF 50+. It's comfortable, cool, and protects your skin.

A few other things to add to your list? A chapstick with SPF, a beautiful coral-colored lipstick, and a durable pair of sandals. What are your must-haves for summer? What else would you include on this list?

Author: Melissa Darcey