LOVE . SUN . BEAUTY

I bet you've heard the phrase "just put on some lip gloss and get over it!" at least once in your lifetime. Well ladies, that might not be such a good idea anymore...at least not in the sun.

Lip gloss is definitely one of my personal favorite cosmetic products. I can't leave the house without it, and I need it to complete my look every time. The glossy finish brightens my face up, and makes my lips appear more plump and moisturized.

Although you might think that this post is about the ingredients in the actual lip gloss that could cause skin cancer, its not. The problem with lip gloss is the fact that the vast majority of them have no sun protection built into them. Some dermatologists also feel that the shiny nature of lip gloss attracts the rays of the sun, gathering them and focusing them onto the lips like a magnifying glass.

Look at it this way, dermatologists have stated that baby oil is not a good idea for bathing in the sun. This is because it contains no sun protection, and creates a glossy finish on the skin that concentrates the rays of the sun so that you’re much more likely to suffer from a burn. Lip gloss may present a similar problem.

Regardless, the lips are commonly missed when it comes to applying sun protection along with these other spots:

1. Scalp
2. Eyelids
3. Lips
4. Ears
5. Chest
6. Back of Neck
7. Back of Hands
8. Back of Legs
9. Tops of Feet

What most people don't realize is that these areas are also skin, and they need to be protected. But could you apply sunscreen to your lips? The answer is yes!

I personally would not enjoy getting sunscreen into my mouth, so I would recommend just applying a lip balm with an SPF of at least 30 underneath lip gloss before leaving the house. Dermatologists also recommend wearing lipstick underneath your gloss, which serves as a sunblock.

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Here are some natural, SPF protected lip balms that I have discovered, and can't wait to try:

LIPLUX^®SPF30 Original Formula

• 70%+ Certified Organic
• Hypoallergenic
• UVA/UVB Broad Spectrum Protection
• Vitamin and antioxidant enriched
• Water Resistant (80 minutes)
• No nano-sized particles

- See more at: http://www.coolasuncare.com/liplux/spf-30-lip-balm

Kiss My Face^®Sport Lip Balm SPF30

• Extra SPF 30 protection for active adults and children.
• Long lasting.
• Organic ingredients is preservative free and water resistant.
• With natural beeswax, coconut oil, vitamin E, shea butter and scented with lime and spearmint essential oils.

- See more at: http://www.kissmyface.com/natural-lip-care/item/101/Sport-Lip-Balm-Spf-30

Eco Lips^®SPF 30 Sport Lip Balm 

• SPF 30 UVA/UVB protection.
• A hint of vanilla is tucked into an all-day moisture treat for your lips. 
• Ingredients include Organic Sunflower Seed Oil, Organic Beeswax, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Aloe Vera Leaf Extract, Vitamin E, and Organic Calendula Extract.
• Gluten and cruelty free! 

- See more at: http://www.ecolips.com/store/products/8-eco-lips-spf-30-sport-lip-balm.aspx

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Comment if you use any of these products or are looking into purchasing, and let me know what you think of the post. Sending protected kisses!

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Authors: Nazanin Yashar

Sources: http://www.doctoroz.com/blog/susan-evans-md/can-lip-gloss-cause-skin-cancer
http://www.ebay.com/gds/10-Commonly-Missed-Places-to-Apply-Sunscreen-/10000000177404919/g.html

Here at Sundriven, I think it is safe to say, we go through about 2-3 candles a month. Mitzi and I are absolutely obsessed with candles, especially because they create such a calming environment in the office during stressful days. However, being so health conscious, Mitzi brought up a very interesting topic a few days ago. I did some research on it and would love to share it with you…

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Today, many scented aromatherapy candles are made of paraffin—petroleum by product—that release carcinogenic soot when burned; and are made from the residue leftover from oil refining (YUCK!). This can cause respiratory problems and will aggravate the conditions of those who already have asthma, lung, or heart problems. Besides endangering your health and that of your family, soot from paraffin wax can cause significant damage to the inside of your house, plus your computers, electrical appliances, and ductwork. And if that isn’t enough, aromatherapy candles that are scented with synthetic oils release microscopic particles that can cause cancer and other health problems when inhaled. Some candles even contain lead in the wick...(YICKS!)

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After our findings we recommend and will be further purchasing eco-friendly, natural candles; and here are a few examples:

Soy candles As a renewable resource, soy candles boast more eco-bragging rights than conventional candles. Plus, they burn longer! But while soy candles are certainly superior to the toxic fragrances and additives in conventional candles, it’s worth noting that 91 percent of the soy grown in the U.S. is genetically modified. Unless it boasts the USDA-certified organic label, it’s likely that your candle is made from GM soy.

Beeswax candles Look for these eco-bad boys at your local farmers market. Beeswax is the only naturally occurring wax on earth and pure beeswax candles are non-toxic, non-polluting and actually cleanse indoor air of odors and allergens. They also give off the faint smell of honey when burned. What more could you ask for?

Coconut wax candles 100% natural proprietary blend of organic coconut wax is made only with natural biodegradable ingredients. Coconut wax comes from the process of collecting the tropical beauties (the coconuts), and cold pressing the oil out of the meat of the coconut, and then cleaning and filtering the wax until you have a beautiful white, creamy, dreamy wax.... Clean, Natural, and Healthy.

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Author: Nazanin Yashar

Having a normal or dry, sensitive skin tone is not very fun during the fall and winter seasons. Throughout the years I have gone through many skin care products to help manage my sensitive skin, and I couldn't come across an effective one until early this year. I would love to share and recommend it to you!

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After torturing my skin and emptying my wallet on ineffective skin care products, I finally came across L'OCCITANE. It has definitely been a lifesaver for me personally. They use high-quality, traceable, natural ingredients in all their products; over 200 botanical ingredients, a quarter of them organic certified, which are carefully selected for their effectiveness and their ability to give your skin the elements it needs to be beautiful. For example, they use vegetable oils in place of oils derived from petrochemicals, as they have a better affinity with the skin.

I have a normal skin tone but it tends to get easily irritated and dry, so it is very sensitive. Especially during the fall and winter seasons, and with products that contain too many harsh chemicals. These are a few of their products that I use, and would also recommend to anyone who has the same concerns as me.

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During the Spring & Summer:

During the spring and summer time my skin is not too dry since I live in Los Angeles, CA, and it tends to get very hot here during these seasons. However, because I have sensitive skin, other skin care products have caused me to turn red or even break out. When I switched to L'OCCITANE I started off using their Angelica line, and it worked well with my skin this past summer. I did not have any irritation or break outs. Also, since most of their products do not contain sunscreen, I was excited to see that they offer a sunscreen in this line as well, sunscreen is a must all-year-round!

Angelica is an exceptional plant that grows incredibly fast due to its hydration capabilities. L'OCCITANE has placed this amazing plant at the heart of a complete face care range to intensely rehydrate and revitalize the skin. Both angelica essential oil and angelica water have been used in our collection of face care products, for hydration and vitality.

From left to right: Angelica Cleansing Gel 6.7 fl.oz $22; Angelica Face Toner 6.7 fl. oz $22; Angelica Protective Lotion SPF 15 1 fl. oz $38; Angelica Hydration Cream 1.7 oz $42

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During the Fall & Winter:

During the fall and winter time I do experience a lot more dryness. I don't tend to really get red or break out during these seasons but my skin does feel a lot more tight and dehydrated. Thats why I switch to the Shea Butter line during this time of year. Like I said, their products do not contain sunscreen, so I use the Angelica Protective Lotion SPF 15 during this time of year as well before I leave the house.

Shea Butter is an ideal beauty ingredient, used by women in Sub-saharan Africa to help nourish and protect their skin and hair. L'OCCITANE uses Shea butter from Burkina Faso, harvested in a sustainable and fair trade partnership with the women who produce it.

Since the product is so rich, I only use the cleansing milk and moisturizer, as apposed to using the whole line. I felt it was a bit too much moisture for me personally, but it is preference. Some people like to be really moisturized, especially if you live in areas that tend to snow or get extremely cold during the winter.

From left to right: Shea Butter Cleansing Milk 6.7 fl.oz $22; Shea Butter Ultra-Gentle Moisturizer 1.7 fl.oz $42

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So there you have it ladies, if you also use and love these products please comment on this post, or if you follow my recommendations let me know how this line and products worked out for you! Also, stay tuned for more skin care favorites from the Sundriven team!

- Nazanin Yashar