LOVE . SUN . BEAUTY

As we have stated numerous times before, you must always apply sunscreen regardless of whether or season. Now, click the "like" button if you forget to apply, or most importantly, reapply sunscreen on the daily? Well you are definitely not alone. But relax, thankfully Sundriven has come to your savor once again!

According to Allure Magazine, wearing sun protective clothing is the best form of sun protection. Why? Because it won’t wear away, wash off, or make you break out. We agree, and here is their top picks of items for staying protected. And, we have made your life much easier by finding these items to easily purchase. We have added links and photos of our personal favorite Sundriven, and other sun protective clothing products that fit each category.

 A wide-brimmed hat. Wearing a hat with a four-inch brim can lower your lifetime risk of skin cancer by about 40 percent. Bonus: You’ll look mysterious and chic—and protect your dye job from color-sapping UV rays.

We love: Eric Javits 'Squishee® IV' Wide Brim Hat sold at Nordstrom; $198.

Sunglasses. Look for large, crow's-feet-covering frames with lenses that sit as close to your face as possible. And you might want to avoid aviators—the metal frames can reflect sun on the tops of the cheeks.

We love: These NEW Burberry sunglasses, check out these and more sold at Sunglass Hut; $240

A rash guard. The sun protection you get when you pull a white T-shirt over your bikini: the equivalent of an SPF 5. The sun protection you get from this poncho sun protective wraps is SPF 50+!

We recommend: Sundriven® Lily Mae Poncho sold on our website; $165.

Gloves. Cute and fashionable, they protect your hands and arms while challenging your inner Audrey Hepburn.

We recommend: Sundriven® Touch Screen Friendly Gloves sold on our website; $38 for short/$42 for long.

A Scarf. Research has found neck melanomas to be among the deadliest. That's enough to make us want to cover up!

We recommend: Sundriven® Olivia Hooded Scarf sold on our website; $85.

With Valentine's Day just passing, I want to share with you my new found love...

Being obsessed with beauty, you might be shocked to hear that I actually love NOT wearing any makeup. Yes! I don't enjoy piling on pounds of make-up every time I am about to leave the house. Of course, this is depending on the occasion, but for everyday I usually enjoy putting on a little bit of mascara, sunscreen/moisturizer, blush/bronzer, and a little bit of lip gloss. When I am going out at night, on the other hand, I like to wear a little more, I typically use eyeshadow, eyeliner, foundation, etc.

I am not at all professional when it comes to applying make-up; however, I came across something that I know many of you will recognize, and that's primer. Primer basically evens out your skin tone and makes your makeup last longer. It basically prepares your face before foundation or powder for a more even look. If you use eye primer or lip primer, they also have the same purpose.

At first I thought this was too much, but I did some research and it might be something that could actually be useful when it comes to protecting your skin.

Some of you may have wondered if makeup protects your skin from the sun. Well it can, but only the right cosmetics with the right ingredients actually protect your skin.

On the Skin Cancer Foundation website it states that selecting a moisturizer or primer containing sunscreen to apply before putting on makeup can be a great choice when it comes to protecting your skin under the sun. Many of us just apply our make up alone, or on top of a moisturizer that doesn't contain any SPF. This can be harmful, especially if you are spending a lot of time outdoors or driving.

I decided to go check out a few primers, so I went to Sephora and picked out a sunscreen/primer to apply under my foundation powder to try. At first, I thought that it would make me look "cakey", but actually, it evened out my skin tone and gave me the biggest glow. I instantly fell in love! What's better than having beautiful skin, while staying protected at the same time, right?

The one that I actually purchased was not considered organic, however, I truly love it. Since I use the Clinique Stay-Matte Sheer Pressed Powder as foundation, I decided to purchase the Clinique City Block Sheer Oil-Free Daily Face Protector SPF 25. On the Skin Cancer Foundation website, it states how an SPF 15+ is enough for under make-up wear, since makeup itself will add another layer of protection.

This is a lightweight daily sunscreen that provides UVA/UVB sun protection. As stated on the packaging, this daily sunscreen provides the face with broad-spectrum sun protection in a sheer formula. Worn alone or as a primer under makeup, its oil-free formulation helps to absorb excess oil and whisks away perspiration. The best part is that even though it isn't organic or natural, it is formulated without chemical sunscreens. It is also appropriate for sensitive skins and the eye area, which I love.

If you are looking for a new primer or sunscreen I recommend trying it out depending on your skin type. This one actually worked great with my skin type but might not with yours. But if it does, I think you'll love it too. If you are looking for something a little more natural, I found something similar. The Suntegrity Natural Moisturizing Face Sunscreen & Primer, Broad Spectrum SPF 30.

As seen on their website, this award winning, rich, non-greasy, “UV chemical-free” face sunscreen offers Broad Spectrum Protection against damaging UVA & UVB rays. Infused with youth promoting antioxidants, this 3 in 1 product functions as a face moisturizer, sunscreen and make-up primer all in one. I have not tried this yet, but definitely looking into it as it looks amazing.

Please comment which primer you use, or love. Also, if you try any of these products listed, and have comments I would love to hear about what you think and how they work for you. If you have never tried primer, I highly recommend purchasing one that has an SPF of 15+ as it helps your make up last longer, and protects you throughout the day.

Also, always remember that it it still recommended to wear sun protective clothing even with sunscreen while you are outdoors. Check out: www.sundriven.com for more details on that and some great products!

XOXO

Authors: Nazanin Yashar

Sources: http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/sun-protection/sunscreen/sun-protection-and-makeup

Take a closer look at the number one cause of skin cancer: Ultraviolet light, and learn to protect yourself!

Ultraviolet light, otherwise known as UV rays, is actually a form of invisible radiation from sources such as the sun, tanning beds and to a lesser degree even overhead fluorescent lighting. UV rays can penetrate and even mutate the cellular structure of our skin cells.

Know the difference

The three types of UV rays are ultraviolet A (UVA), ultraviolet B (UVB), and ultraviolet C (UVC).

UVA

UVA rays are the longest of the three wavelengths and make up 95% of the UV radiation that reaches Earth’s surface. UVA is the most common kind of sunlight at the earth's surface, and reaches beyond the top layer of human skin all year round, in sunshine, clouds, or rain.^[1] Scientists believe that UVA rays can damage connective tissue and increase a person's risk of skin cancer. 80% of UVA rays can pass through clouds and damage your skin.^[2]

They are present with relatively equal intensity during all daylight hours throughout the year, and can penetrate clouds and glass.

UVA, which penetrates the skin more deeply than UVB, has long been known to play a major part in skin aging and wrinkling (photoaging), but until recently scientists believed it did not cause significant damage in areas of the epidermis (outermost skin layer) where most skin cancers occur. Studies over the past two decades, however, show that UVA damages skin cells, contributes to and may even initiate the development of skin cancers. ^[3]

UVA rays are predominantly responsible for squamous cell carcinomas.
Image source: Cancer Research UK.

UVA rays reach much deeper into your skin than UVB rays. The ozone layer absorbs most UVB rays; UVA rays, on the other hand, reach deeper into the skin, past the outer layer (the epidermis) and far into the dermis and hypodermis.^[4]

Rays can have dramatic negative effects on your skin. Because UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin (the dermis and hypodermis), UVA ray damage is responsible for premature aging, including loss of elasticity, wrinkles, sunspots, fine lines and hyperpigmentation.[5]
Image source: Cancer Research UK

While UVB rays are only present when the sun is out, UVA rays are always present, even when it’s winter. Even if it’s cold and dreary out, you still need sun protection to guard against UVA rays.UVB rays are most intense when the sunlight is brightest—between 10am and 2pm. UVA rays’ intensity is constant throughout the day, regardless of whether or not the sun is directly hitting you.^[6]Unlike UVB rays, UVA rays can penetrate glass windows, like your car windows. At least 60% of UVA rays can pass through car windows.^[7] Even when you’re driving, UVA rays can still damage your unprotected skin. This is why we created our classic Sundriven gloves to help protect you.

UVB

Most UVB rays are absorbed by the ozone layer, so they are less common at the earth's surface than UVA rays. UVB rays don't reach as far into the skin as UVA rays, but they can still be damaging. The shorter length rays of UVB are primarily responsible for the reddening and burning of our skin.

UVB plays a key role in the development of skin cancer and a contributory role in tanning and photoaging. Its intensity varies by season, location, and time of day. The most significant amount of UVB hits the U.S. between 10 AM and 4 PM from April to October. 70% of a person's yearly UVB dose occurs in the summer. [8]

However, UVB rays can burn and damage your skin year-round, especially at high altitudes and on reflective surfaces such as snow or ice, which bounce back up to 80 percent of the rays so that they hit the skin twice. UVB rays do not significantly penetrate glass. ^[9]

Both the powerful UVA and UVB rays, that make up in part the term UV radiation, can be extremely harmful and dangerous when we are not taking proper precautions.

Many experts believe that, especially for fair-skinned people, UV radiation also frequently plays a key role in melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, which kills more than 8,000 Americans each year^[10] Did you know that melanoma is the most common form of cancer in adults between the ages of 25 and 29?^[11]

Image source: The American Academy of Dermatology

UV radiation is considered the main cause of nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSC), including basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). These cancers strike more than a million and more than 250,000 Americans, respectively, each year.

So do yourself a favor: Wear SPF and make sure you buy yourself proper sun protective apparel. Our ageless Sundriven collection was designed just for that, and is stylish to boot.

Follow these tips from the American Academy of Dermatology when applying sunscreen:

• Choose sunscreen that has an SPF of 30 or higher, is water resistant, and provides broad-spectrum coverage, which means it protects you from UVA and UVB rays.
• Apply sunscreen generously before going outdoors. It takes approximately 15 minutes for your skin to absorb the sunscreen and protect you. If you wait until you are in the sun to apply sunscreen, your skin is unprotected and can burn.
• Use enough sunscreen. Most adults need at least one ounce of sunscreen, about the amount you can hold in your palm, to fully cover all exposed areas of your body. Rub the sunscreen thoroughly into your skin.
• Apply sunscreen to all bare skin. Remember your neck, face, ears, tops of your feet and legs. For hard-to-reach areas like your back, ask someone to help you or use a spray sunscreen. If you have thinning hair, either apply sunscreen to your scalp or wear a wide-brimmed hat. To protect your lips, apply a lip balm with a SPF of at least 15.
• Reapply sunscreen at least every two hours to remain protected, or immediately after swimming or excessively sweating.

UVC

UVC rays are in fact, very dangerous, but they are absorbed by the ozone layer and do not reach the ground. These rays have the shortest wavelength, the most energy and fortunately do not penetrate the atmosphere. UVC radiation is almost completely absorbed by the ozone layer and does not affect the skin.[12]

Authors: Mitzi Runyan & May Jabado

Sources: [1] http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/uva-and-uvb/uva-radiation-a-danger-outdoors-and-indoors
[2] http://www.aad.org/media-resources/stats-and-facts/prevention-and-care/sunscreens
[3] http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/uva-and-uvb/understanding-uva-and-uvb
[4] http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/
[5] (2006) http://news.softpedia.com/news/UV-Radiation-What-UVA-UVB-and-UVC-Rays-Are-and-How-They-Affect-Us-30345.shtml
[6] (2008) http://dermatology.about.com/od/skincancers/a/UV_radiation.htm
[7] http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/uva-and-uvb/uva-radiation-a-danger-outdoors-and-indoors
[8] http://dermatology.about.com/od/skincancers/a/UV_radiation.htm
[9] http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/uva-and-uvb/understanding-uva-and-uvb
[10] http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/uva-and-uvb/understanding-uva-and-uvb
[11] http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-facts
[12] http://dermatology.about.com/od/skincancers/a/UV_radiation.htm