LOVE . SUN . BEAUTY

How much do you spend on your beauty products? We've compiled a list of interesting numbers from the beauty industry.

• The average woman spends $50,000 on her hair in her lifetime[1]
• Women who color their hair spend an average of $330 a year [1]
• The average woman spends $15,000 on makeup in her lifetime[2]
• The average woman spends 20 minutes doing her makeup each day, equivalent to 330 days in her lifetime [2]

• 10% of Americans spend an average of $300 a year on indoor tanning[3]
• Each year, women spend a total of $9 billion on tanning and $3 billion on tanning products [3]
• In 2009, Americans spend $10 billion on cosmetic surgery. 85% of those procedures were non-surgical, like Botox[4]
• 98% of women 25-54 years of age who visit a dermatologist or plastic surgeon spend up to $500 a year on facial procedures[5]
• Americans spend around $12 billion annually on anti-aging products[6]
• According to Business Wire, in 2003: total US market for tanning is over $9 billion per year, and does not include the $3 billion tanning products market.[7]

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Sources: [1] (2010) http://main.stylelist.com/2010/03/29/the-price-of-pretty-women-spend-50-000-on-hair-over-lifetime/
[2] (2010) http://www.bellasugar.com.au/How-Much-Women-Spend-Makeup-Life-7708228
[3] (2007) http://www.wisebread.com/the-cost-of-tanning
[4] (2010) http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2010/03/10/10-billion-spent-on-cosmetic-procedures-despite-recession/
[5] (2009) http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/04/23/idUS116918+23-Apr-2009+BW20090423
[6] (2008) http://takecareofyourskin.wordpress.com/2008/06/17/profit-from-looking-younger/
[7] http://www.wisebread.com/the-cost-of-tanning

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.

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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.

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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

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Authors: Nazanin Yashar

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

Yes, sunscreen is a must. You know it, we know it- but do you know exactly what’s in your sunscreen and how it works? Are you being tricked into buying products that do not work, make false claims, or are more expensive than they should be? Let’s help you figure it out!

Gone are the days when even savvy consumers believed that slapping on a sunscreen with an SPF of 2, 4 or 8 would protect them from scorching sunburns. Unless you have been hiding in a very dark, sunless cave, you know well enough now that any SPF lower than 15 is a joke. And sunburns are the least of your problems when you think of all the other sun related issues such as premature aging of the skin, wrinkles, moles, and skin cancer.

SPF By the Numbers

In recent years, sunscreens with SPF in the ranges of 70, 80 and 100+ have been popping up on shelves. While you may think the higher the SPF, the more protected you are, most of these claims are gimmicks. Many experts feel that these claims may lull consumers into a false sense of security and actually encourage them to stay out in the sun longer, creating more damage to their skin health. Studies show that any sunscreen above SPF 30 only provides a tiny fraction of additional protection. SPF 30 filters out a little under 97% of UVB rays. SPF 50 filters out 98% while SPF 100 blocks 99%.^[1] No sunscreen, no matter what level of SPF, blocks 100% of UV rays. The FDA may eventually make SPF 50 the limit for sunscreen claims.

Broad-Spectrum

Sunscreen labels are already required by the FDA to carry a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) level that informs users how well the product protects against UVB light, which primarily causes sunburn. The FDA requires that sunscreen labeling be expanded to provide an indication of broad-spectrum protection that informs consumers whether the product shields them from both UVA and UVB light.[2] This enhanced labeling will now include in its focus UVA protection, as the UVA rays are more deeply penetrating to the skin than UVB.

Did you know that many sunscreens that claim to be broad-spectrum aren’t necessarily protecting you from both UVB and UVA rays? There have been no FDA-approved tests to prove it’s true. Now, any broad-spectrum sunscreen must first meet FDA standards to ensure its accuracy. To get the broad-spectrum claim, manufacturers have to show that the amount of UVA protection proportionally increases as the SPF level increases. The product also needs to be SPF 15 or higher.

By contrast, any sunscreen not labeled as “Broad Spectrum” or that has an SPF value between 2 and 14, has only been shown to help prevent sunburn. Sunscreen products that are not broad spectrum or that are broad spectrum with SPF values from 2 to14 will be labeled with a warning that reads: “Skin Cancer/Skin Aging Alert:  Spending time in the sun increases your risk of skin cancer and early skin aging. This product has been shown only to help prevent sunburn, not skin cancer or early skin aging.”[3] Sunscreens that meet the requirements of the test and are labeled as SPF 15 or above will be clearly marked as a product that "reduces the risk of early skin aging and skin cancer."[4]

SPF and Water

In the past few years, there has been significant controversy over sunscreens claiming to be “waterproof” or “sweat proof.” Now, the FDA is cracking down on these terms on sunscreen labeling. Sunscreens can no longer claim to be “waterproof” and “sweat proof” because all of them wash off. They don’t protect skin from UV rays once they’re soaked in water for a certain amount of time. Instead, labels can only read “water resistant,” because they can protect skin while in the water, but only for a limited time. If a sunscreen claims to be water resistant, it must also include how long the sunscreen is effective when in water or when sweating. Water resistance claims on the product's front label must tell how much time a user can expect to get the declared SPF level of protection while swimming or sweating, based on standard testing. Two times frames will be permitted on labels: 40 minutes or 80 minutes. [5]

The Two-Hour Rule

Another big change is that sunscreens, unless they’ve gained approval from the FDA, cannot claim to protect your skin from UV rays for more than two hours, unless reapplied. The FDA is also including provisions in their new regulations to prohibit sunscreen manufacturers from claiming protection immediately on application (for example, “instant protection”) or protection for more than two hours without reapplication, unless they submit data and get approval from FDA.[6]

Be a Detective

Have you noticed any spots or moles that have altered recently? Visit your dermatologist. Even if you don’t see any skin changes, visit your dermatologist annually for a skin exam, just to be on the safe side. Even if you think you are 100% safe 100% of the time, always keep on the lookout for signs of skin cancer. Your chances of recovery are infinitely better with early detection. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends a monthly self-check.

Future Changes

This is not the end of the sunscreen crackdown. The FDA is also determining whether spray sunscreens are effective or safe and will continually watch dog the sunscreen labeling and testing requirements. These measures are necessary, says Lydia Velazquez, PharmD, in FDA’s Division of Nonprescription Regulation Development, because “our scientific understanding has grown. We want consumers to understand that not all sunscreens are created equal.” This new information will help consumers know which products offer the best protection from the harmful rays of the sun.[7] We will be posting an article on dermatologist approved sunscreens very soon, so make sure to stay up-to-date!

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Authors: Mitzi Runyan & May Jabado

Sources:  [1] (2009) http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/14/fashion/14SKIN.html?pagewanted=all
[2] http://abcnews.go.com/Health/SkinCare/sunscreen-stricter-labeling-protect-cancer-causing-uva-light/story?id=13835798
[3] http://www.fda.gov/forconsumers/consumerupdates/ucm258416.htm
[4] http://abcnews.go.com/Health/SkinCare/sunscreen-stricter-labeling-protect-cancer-causing-uva-light/story?id=13835798
[5] http://www.fda.gov/forconsumers/consumerupdates/ucm258416.htm
[6] http://www.fda.gov/forconsumers/consumerupdates/ucm258416.htm
[7] http://www.fda.gov/forconsumers/consumerupdates/ucm258416.htm