Produit de la Semaine #2

The American Academy of Dermatology has designated May 4th as Melanoma Monday to raise awareness of this serious issue (actually kicks off Melanoma Month). The deadliest form of skin cancer, 115,000 cases of melanoma were diagnosed in the U.S. just last year. One American dies from this disease almost every hour and the rate is steadily increasing, especially among those under age 50.

In honor of Melanoma Monday, I’m scheduling my yearly check-up tomorrow. Although, I need to find a new dermatologist, as the one I had when I went through my “mole scare” a few years ago was absolutely horrible- really just too nonchalant for my taste.  As you may or may not know, I lost my Dad to Melanoma a few years back and since then, I’ve tried to be a lot better about taking care of my skin.

Which brings me to today’s product pick of the week!

Brace yourselves….. this is an exciting one (and I bet you can’t guess what it is)!

Sunscreen!!!!

Yep!

While this type product isn’t all that exciting, it IS probably the MOST important product one can ever choose for themselves.  And, choices there are!  From typical sunscreens to moisturizers with sunscreen, to makeup with SPF (foundation, blush, lip gloss, you name it).  How does one choose?

If you read my 1st product of the week post, you’re probably not surprised to find out I’ve done extensive research on this.  In fact, just about every time I am planning a beach vacation, I do new research- the guidelines are always changing.

One general guideline that everyone should follow- you need a REAL sunscreen on body parts that will see the sun for the majority of the day- beach vacation or not.  Especially your face, if you want to try to stave-off those dreaded wrinkles (that I seem to have SO much more of since Luci was born, that’s another subject altogether).  SPF in makeup will not do the trick.  I’m also of the opinion that SPF in regular moisturizers will not truly do the trick.  I actually do not trust random products that claim a certain SPF- they usually don’t measure-up ingredients-wise, in comparison to REAL sunscreens.

The problem?  I HATE sunscreen.  Ya know, that heavy, greasy, “headin’ to the beach all-day” feeling?  The way sunscreen weighs on your skin?  Hate it.  I guess I don’t mind it for my body but for my face- heck no, it just won’t do.

Which brings me to my holy grail of sunscreen for the FACE:

La Roche Posay- Anthelios Face Fluide Extreme SPF 50+with Mexoryl SX AND XL

It’s French.  Ya see, the Europeans are WAY ahead of us in regards to sunscreen.  They’ve actually been paving the way for US sunscreen products for some time now and the trend continues with “Mexoryl SX and Mexoryl XL”.   SX finally got approved by the FDA after long years of delay.  XL has yet to be approved.  I’m not sure why-one never knows what sort of “magic” goes on behind closed doors at the FDA-truly mystifying at times.

So, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty.  Why do I REALLY like:  La Roche Posay- Anthelios Face Fluide Extreme SPF 50+with Mexoryl SX AND XL??

• It doesn’t grease me up (although- I haven’t tried it in the thick of a Texas summer yet)
• It even allows me to put my regular moisturizer over it for more “moisturization” if needed (and by “allows” I mean it doesn’t get too greasy).
• Makeup goes on smoothly afterward
• It doesn’t feel heavy
• It doesn’t stink like regular sunscreen
• It doesn’t “FEEL” like I have sunscreen on at all.  Which is what I’m after.
• It’s the best protection you can get– hands-down.

Now, keep in mind, you need to track down the European version if you want all the possible protection that Mexoryl can provide.  Also, I’ve heard the Anthelios-US formulation (SX only) is totally different than the European formulation-and can leave a white cast to your face- yuck!  The Euro-version is really pricey.  However, it lasts a long time and to me, it’s liquid-gold.

Past Beach vacations- Sunscreen choices:
Since Craig and I are finalizing our beach vacation plans this week, it fo’ shizzle is on my mind!!!!  (And probably will be for the next 2.5 months).  This is what I used when I went to Thailand and to Mexico, with great success.  If you know me and I how lived for my 1st 25 years of life – t’was all burn, burn burn and no- tan, tan tan.  Well, I came back from these trips without one complaint of a sunburn and golden-brown (so very rare for me).

• Shiseido- SPF 55 PA+++ (the “PA+” system seems to be yester-year’s Mexoryl from what I’ve read….)
• Kiehls-Vital Sun Protection, SPF 40

I used the Shiseido for my face (but this year will switch out for the Anthelios)-it is pretty mattifying-almost drying, but that was fine for me at the beach where I was sweaty anyway.  The Kiehls totes kicked it for my body- it prevented burn, allowed tan and is completely moisturizing.  As is key with any sunscreen- you need to use gobs and gobs of it, don’t be skimpy!!  Again, though- I may switch it out this year for an all-body product containing Mexoryl.

Best sunscreen to use while jogging in the hot, hot TX heat??
Did you know, your chance of getting skin cancers goes up considerably if you spend a lot of time in the sun SWEATING?  I don’t know the science behind it but sweat on your skin, without sunscreen can be really really bad.

• Waterproof, sweat proof.  Still trying to find the best thing.  Lots of it.  I just learned this fact about sweat/sun/cancer so now of course, I’m paranoid and will be looking for the best options, of course!  I would get the Mexoryl stuff but I can’t afford it- I go through way too much for this purpose.  The key here is sweat-proof.  I sweat like a crazy-person, so gotta find something that keeps up.  So far, not a lot of luck.

Scientific mumbo-jumbo:

Ultraviolet rays are radioactive rays from the sun. While UVC rays do not penetrate the Earth’s atmosphere, both UVA and UVB rays do reach us.

UVB rays cause sunburns, but UVA rays are linked to premature aging of the skin and to skin cancer. Up to 95% of the UV rays that reach our skin are UVA rays.

UVA rays are not stopped by cloudy skies or by windows and glass like UVB rays can be. UVA rays are also present year-round whereas UVB rays are less persistent in the winter.

Mexoryl is designed specifically for protection against short UVA rays. It has high photostability – meaning it does not degrade quickly when exposed to sunlight – allowing to protect better, for longer periods of time.

So why is Mexoryl better than other UVA filters that claim to be photostable? Compared to Parsol 1978, another popular UVA filter, the difference is clear. Parsol 1978 needs to be used in conjunction with other ingredients to maintain its photostability. On its own, Parsol 1978 breaks down quickly, rendering it useless as a UVA filter.

Mexoryl maintains its photostability without the help of other ingredients, allowing it to carry on absorbing the energy of UVA rays.

Ummm….. Did I really just write like 5 pages about sunscreen????  Have I lost my mind?  Hope you don’t think so.  This skin cancer stuff is SERIOUS business to me.  Still, this is just a wee-bit excessive.  O’ well.  You should see the post I’ve got going for next week’s product pick on deep-conditioning hair masques (just kidding….. Or am I??).