LOVE . SUN . BEAUTY

Sunscreen. It’s a love-hate relationship for many. While no one can deny the powerful protection sunscreen offers, many hate the feeling of it and never remember to apply it regularly and throughout the day. It’s for these reasons and more that we love wearing apparel and accessories with UPF in the fabric, which offers constant protection.

However, one place you can’t cover with anything but sunscreen is your face. This is also one of the most important body parts to protect, as sun damage can age your skin, encourage wrinkles and sunspots, and, of course, cause skin cancer. Because women want to protect their face without the heaviness and greasiness of sunscreen, many rely on makeup that contains SPF, such as foundation, tinted moisturizers, and powders. While this is a great way to kill two birds with one stone, many women don’t realize that they may not be getting enough protection from their makeup.

First of all, many dermatologists recommend wearing at least SPF 30. As many makeup products have SPF 15, you may still need to wear sunscreen with your makeup, especially if you plan on spending more than thirty minutes in the sun.

Second of all, you likely only apply your foundation or base once: in the morning. Sunscreen must be applied regularly throughout the day, so by applying it once, you are only protecting your skin during those early hours of the day.

The third reason is also the biggest. Even if you use a foundation with SPF 30+, there’s a good chance you aren’t wearing enough. When we think of makeup, we often think less is more. But this is certainly not the case with sunscreen. You should be applying a thick layer to your entire face and neck. How much is a good amount? While there is no strict rule (as it depends on your face size and skin), it should take you more than a few seconds to rub it into your skin. When we wear foundation, we typically only apply a thin layer. This isn’t enough for sun protection.

If you are determined to avoid sunscreen, consider a moisturizer with SPF. Just remember to bring a travel-sized tube with you in your bag to reapply throughout the day. And don’t forget to wear a hat and sunglasses when spending significant time out in the sun for added protection.

Author: Melissa Darcey

At Sundriven®, we are committed to helping women protect themselves against skin cancer. A lot of people assume their chances of getting skin cancer are rare, or that they can easily have the cancer removed. However, skin cancer is serious and affects millions of people every year.

Here, we share some important facts you should know about skin cancer.

• Every year, around 5 million people in the U.S. are treated for skin cancer.
• 1 in 5 people in the U.S. will get skin cancer during their lifetime.
• 90% of nonmelanoma skin cancers are a result of exposure to UV radiation from the sun.
• Skin cancer risk doubles once you experience more than five sunburns in a lifetime. Just one bad sunburn can double the risk of melanoma.
• Exposure to tanning beds before the age of 35 increases the risk of melanoma by 75%.
• Skin cancer accounts for nearly 50% of all cancers combined.

Yes, this sounds scary, but we aren't here to make you afraid of leaving the house or ever spending time in the sun. Thanks to sunscreen and our line of UV wear, you can enjoy the sun and the outdoors without risking your skin's health. Here are a few simple tips on how to protect yourself:

• Wear a hat if you'll be out in the sun for an extended period of time. Many people forget that their scalp is just as vulnerable as the rest of their body.
• Don't forget your hands! The skin on your hands is much thinner than on your arms or legs. This means it's easier for your skin to be damaged by UV rays. Even when you are driving, the sun peaks through your windows and hits your hands, so consider wearing UV driving gloves while on the road.
• When using sunscreen, you must reapply every 80 minutes or so, even more if you are swimming or sweating. Don't apply a moisturizer with sunscreen in the morning and think you're set for the rest of the day. If you have trouble forgetting to reapply sunscreen, consider wearing UV wear to cover your arms, legs, hands, and chest. With sun protection within the fabric, you're always protected!

Author: Melissa Darcey

If you suffer from diabetes, you likely have a love-hate relationship with the sun. While we all enjoy the beauty of the outdoors (and the natural Vitamin D from the sun!), the harmful UV rays can cause serious damage to our skin, especially for those who are diabetic. Why is this?

First of all, a number of diabetes medications increase your sensitivity to the sun. Your skin will burn faster and more severely. Some medications can even act as photosensitizing agents, which can actually increase your chances of skin cancer.

Secondly, a common complication of diabetes, both Type 1 and Type 2, is the impaired ability to adjust to temperature increases. So when you are in the sun, it can be hard for your body to naturally cool down in the heat. You could become dehydrated and your body could overheat if you spend too much time exposed in the sun.

But this doesn’t have to put a damper on your summer or time spent outdoors. With Sundriven®, you no longer have to chase shadows and hide from the sun. Our products are made with PrioriTec™, which are botanical fibers. With zero chemical additives, there’s no risk of skin irritation—perfect for those with sensitive skin.

What really makes Sundriven® a unique and perfect for those suffering from diabetes is our fabric’s temperature controlling abilities. Depending on the climate, our products will either absorb or release moisture, helping the skin maintain a constant temperature. When it’s cool out, your skin will stay warm without feeling sweaty or clammy. When it's warm out, your skin stays cool.

We take care of your sun protection so you can focus on having fun without worrying about reapplying sunscreen or your body temperature rising. With products ranging from driving gloves and wraps to dresses and tops, we have your wardrobe essentials covered. Learn more about Sundriven and start shopping at www.sundriven.com.

Author: Melissa Darcey