LOVE . SUN . BEAUTY

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!

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.

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

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

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

Planning a beach vacation this winter? Travelers should be aware that ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun plays a significant role in the development of skin cancer. In fact, about 86 percent of melanomas and 90 percent of nonmelanoma skin cancers are associated with exposure to UV rays.

Skin cancer risk depends greatly on cumulative lifetime sun exposure, but melanoma has been linked most frequently to intense exposure - the kind often obtained during beach vacations. This kind of periodic, concentrated UV exposure frequently causes sunburn, and severely damages the skin. It is believed to also play a part in basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer. On average, a person's risk for melanoma doubles if he or she has had more than five sunburns.

"It's important to properly protect your skin every day, and you need to be extra cautious in very sunny conditions," said Dr. Perry Robins, president of The Skin Cancer Foundation. "Prolonged exposure to UV radiation causes premature skin aging and can lead to skin cancer."

Those tempted to get a "base tan" before hitting the beach should beware: There's no such thing as a healthy or protective tan. Whether obtained by lying out in the sun or through using a tanning bed, a tan represents DNA damage to the skin. In fact, just one indoor tanning session before the age of 35 increases your melanoma risk by 75 percent.

If you're headed to a sunny destination this winter, The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends the following sun protection tips:

• Cover Up: Clothing is your first line of defense against the sun's harmful UV rays, and it is a consistent shield that helps protect the skin. In addition, wearing UV-absorbing swimwear like wetsuits and rash guards offers extra UV protection when you're in the water. Sarongs and cover-ups offer additional protection on shore.
• Shield Your Face: Sunglasses that filter out the sun's UV rays will help protect your eyes and eyelids from conditions including cataracts, while a broad-brimmed hat (with at least a 3-inch brim all around) will help protect the top of the head, neck, face, ears and scalp.
• Beware of Reflection: Water and sand reflect the sun's UV rays, adding to the intensity of exposure.
• Apply Sunscreen: Using a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day is crucial. For extended outdoor activity, use a water-resistant, broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Apply one ounce, or two tablespoons, every two hours or immediately after swimming or sweating heavily.
• Seek Shade: During peak sun hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), keep covered under a large sun umbrella. It's best to hit the beach early in the morning or late in the afternoon. You'll avoid the crowds and save your skin.
• Avoid Tanning and UV Tanning Booths: Whether you "lay out" or visit a tanning salon, there is no such thing as a safe tan. Tanning increases the risk of developing skin cancers, including melanoma. In addition, tanning leads to premature skin aging, including wrinkles, leathery skin and age spots.