Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock, Spf 85 – 3 Oz. (See all Skin Protection)

Celeb Beauty Secrets under $15!

Insiders at My Beauty Match have uncovered celebrity’s summer beauty picks. From hair to skin these faves are all under $15! It is so important to protect skin from the sun and Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock, Spf 85 – 3 Oz. (See all Skin Protection)(Shiri Appleby swears by it) is just $11! Use this great sun block to avoid any real sun damage while you’re at the beach this summer!

Buy/More Info (See all Skin Protection)

dermaglow_70spfcream

heiko_spf_40_physical_sunscreen

I know this is one of the worst summers since 1992 for pretty much all of us living on the east coast in North America and I do know from friends in Europe that some of them have had a pretty miserable summer as well, but there are still many long days left to bask in the sun.  Because summer is not nearly over, I thought I would share with you a few new SPF products I’ve come across that you might be right for you.

I should also mention that although it’s obvious that we NEED to protect our skin against the harmful rays of the sun during months like June, July and August, it’s important to keep in mind that sun protection should be year round (yup, 365 days per year).

The harmful rays of the sun will penetrate the clouds on overcast days and if you are spending a lot of time outside, you are exposing yourself uselessly to hyperpigmentation, premature aging and skin cancer.

Here are 4 new SPF products you might want to consider to protect your skin:

dermaglow_70spfcream

1) Dermaglow 70 SPF High Protection: I don’t remember ever seeing a SPF 70 product until now. With this high protection level, you can rest assured that you are getting the highest levels of UVB protection on the market. Dermaglow 70 SPF will also protect your skin against the harmful UVA rays as well.

The formula is lightweight and non-greasy which means that combination and oily skin should be able to use it as well. Dermaglow 70 SPF is also waterproof!

You’ll find more details here: Dermaglow 70 SPF

alyria_corrective_protection_sunscreen_spf_30

heiko_age_defense_moisturizer_spf_15

heiko_spf_40_physical_sunscreen

*** All of these SPF products are sold in the U.S. and in Canada and you’ll find a few of them internationally.

donnatella_versace

I know that Donatella loves her long-long-bleach-blond extensions and wigs and she loves her dark skin … both which (in my opinion) age her terribly.

I’ve only seen Donatella Versace dressed in one of her mega-expensive coutures and I’ve never seen her in a bikini until recently. The photos from Daily Mail are simply frightening.

I know Donatella is maybe not very fluent in English, but I refuse to believe that Italian magazines have not been pleading Italian women to reduce their sun exposure to avoid having that awful leather-like skin or worst skin cancer.

The photos not only reveal a Donatella who is way too tanned for her own good, but we also see a woman of 53 who is extremely skinny with (obvious) breast implants that don’t look sexy in the least.

Another shocker, over and beyond Donatella’s skeleton body, is the severe sagging of her skin. Don’t kid yourself, it’s not because Donatella is 53 and getting older, but it’s because she’s dehydrated the moisture from her skin with so much sun exposure and she’s accelerated the aging process of her skin.

I know she’s rich beyond belief, she’s got an amazing career playing with beautiful fabrics, she’s got a jewellery collection that makes me cry with envy, and she gets to rub elbows with the biggest celebrities on the planet, but Donatella (with all those Euros and US dollars) simply-positively-undeniably does NOT look healthy at all.

She looks like and aging grandmother.  I’m sorry to say this Donatella because I do love many of your designs, but your biological age might 53, but you look 83! You NEED to stay out of the sun … that’s why beauty companies have invent fake-tan products that look more and more natural!

You can see the photos for yourself here: There’s something about Donatella’s tan…

sisley_paris_botanical_facial_sun_cream

I’ve noticed that the Sisley Paris Sun Care line is very popular in Paris and it’s also become a very popular brand in the U.S. and in Canada.

Here are a few key products you might want to consider as part of the sun care collection by Sisley:

Broad Spectrum Sunscreen (with SPF 30)/super huile solaire corps:  This sunscreen offers a double protection against UVA and B rays. Sisley Paris’ Broad Spectrum Sunscreen retails for $145 USD/unavailable in Canada because of Health Canada’s policies.

sisley_paris_self_sunleya

Self-Tanning Gel/soleil sans soleil autobronzant: Get a natural-looking tanned appearance gradually without the harmful effects of the sun. Sisley Paris’ Self-Tanning Gel retails for $128 USD /$135 CAD.

Soleil San Soleil Self Tanning Lotion Spray/ soleil sans soleil autobronzant special corps: This lotion gives your body a natural-looking golden glow.  Sisley Paris’ Soleil San Soleil Self Tanning Lotion retails for $108 USD/$113 CAD.

sisley_paris_self_tanning_lotion

Sunleya Age Minimizer Suncare with Sisley’s All Day All Year (with SPF

In the U.S. you’ll find Sisley Paris products at Neiman Marcus and you’ll find them at Holt Renfrew in Canada.

Well, I would not believe me either had it not been for the fact that I was introduced to this new age way of having a tan without being exposed to the harmful rays of the sun PLUS protecting our skin against the inevitable pulls of gravity.

When it comes to sunless lotion, it’s obvious that they’re not created equally and once you have tried Sun Sauce you’ll see just how different it is compared to what you’ve been using up to now.

Sun Sauce Moisturizing Sunless Bronzer is formulated with shea butter, monoi oil (natural coconut oil used for generations by the islanders of Tahiti and French Polynesia), sweet almond oil, tea tree oil, unitrienol and healing vitamins that include A, B and E plus complex minerals to give your skin the best care possible.

Sun Sauce has been popping up at the following Hollywood studded events: 2007 Emmy Award show, Miss Earth 2007, Ms Fitness 2007, Beautiful Strangers TV and on the set of “Cane”.

A very long list of magazines have also featured this product because this is an excellent way of getting that red carpet tanned look without having to depend on tanning booths or tanning salons.

Now I can already hear a lot of you screaming from your screen: “Is this not going to turn my skin orange”?

This is the beautiful thin with Sun Sauce Moisturizing Sunless Bronzer, it will give you that Jennifer Lopez healthy glow because it builds up slowly and it won’t make you look like a pumpkin. In fact, this is one of Celebrity Makeup Artist Candace Corey favourite Hollywood beauty secrets for her A-list clients.

You can purchase Sun Sauce directly from the distributor’s Web site. The 12 oz/360 ml bottle will cost you $32 USD.

sun_sauce_sunless_ultra_dark_solution

I have a few moles on my legs and I remember a few years ago during a yearly check-up, my doctor became quite concerned with them, but upon analyzing them she realized they were not related to skin cancer, but they were related to ingrown hair gone bad due to shaving.

You won’t find too many conscientious doctors who won’t careful analyze and keep track of the moles on your body these days because it’s a fact that 30 per cent of all melanomas begin as a mole and 90 per cent of moles have cancer-causing properties.

Moles are the result of overactive pigment cells within the deeper layer of the skin. You will have acquired most of your moles at birth, but most develop spontaneously during the first 20 years of your life, although they may continue to develop into the 30s and 40s.

When it comes to moles caused by excessive exposure to the sun, those are usually easy to spot because they tend to appear on those areas of the skin that catch the most sunlight.

The moles that are causes by excessive sun exposure are the ones you MUST be careful about because they may turn into malignant moles. You’ll definitely want to consult your doctor about them and you’ll also want to track them. You’ll be able to identify malignant moles if they are: itchy, painful, increase in size, grow in an irregular shape, change colour and become darker or start bleeding.

To be on the safe side, you should ensure that you have a yearly check-up with your doctor and you want to make sure that your moles are checked every single time in order to track any change.

We’ve covered a few other articles on skin cancer prevention that you might want to read again (or read for the first time):

June is skin cancer awareness month … what are you doing to reduce your chances?

Doesn’t sun tanning provide vitamin D?

Men are more sensitive to the sun than women!

After 40, sun protection is imperative

Spray on the perfect summer tan all year round

Is skin cancer that serious?

Photo by Luza Luza

If you’ve been reading this site for a while, you know my position when it comes tanning. I don’t understand why people would risk their health for a golden tan … but maybe it’s easy for me to say that given that I was born with a built-in-tan!

I know that in the past it might not have been easy to find self-tanning products that look natural, but more and more cosmetic giants are doing just that!

French cosmetic mogul Clarins has a tanning duo that will surely help you curb your appetite for the sun.

These Clarins self-tanning products have received a lot of press lately and it seems that both beauty editors and users quite like the way these products provide you with the illusion of tan without the side effects.

clarins_delicious_self_tanning_cream

The Clarins Delicious Cream is a silky, lightly scented self tanner for the body that is infused with pure cocoa extracts. You’ll be able to sport that “I just came back from vacation tan” without the harmful effects of the sun. This delicate lotion combines a natural-looking tan with lasting radiance, while the caramel colour helps provide mistake-proof application that ensures even results.

2) Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel

The Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel is a lightweight and non-oily gel that promotes a natural, golden tan for face and body without sun exposure. It’s instantly absorbed, so there’s no need to wait before dressing, with results in just two hours. If you’ve decided to cut back on the time you spend in the sun, but you still want that golden Hollywood-red-carpet-ready-look, the Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel is ideal to give off the illusion of a tan.

Imedeen Tan Optimizer capsules “optimize” your tan by helping you to get more out of your time in the sun. Just one capsule per day helps prepare your skin for the sun by increasing melanin production and by supporting your skin’s own natural tanning mechanism. Imedeen Tan Optimizer will also prolong your tan.

The idea behind Imedeen Tan Optimizer is that by boosting your tan when you are out in the sun, you should require less time and less exposure to harmful UV rays in order to get the degree of golden tan that you are looking for. Not only does it mean that you are reducing your exposure to potential cancer-inducing rays, but it also means that you are less likely to suffer from phyto-aging (aging caused by sun exposure) that can cause premature wrinkles, skin unevenness, skin sagging, and sap your skin of that healthy glow.

Imedeen Tan Optimizer capsules contain natural source ingredients that have been scientifically documented to be a highly effective method for achieving an even, golden tan. The unique formula consists of palm fruit extract from the fruit of the African palm, and tomato extract derived from an all-natural tomato extract, combined with vitamin C and natural vitamin E.

In essence, Imedeen Tan Optimizer offers you these benefits:

* Stimulates melanin production

* Reduces sun sensitivity and redness

* Helps protect against sun-induced aging

* Boosts and optimizes your tan

Remember that Imedeen Tan Optimizer does NOT replace the use of sun protection lotion. You should always use an SPF protection even if you use Imedeen Tan Optimizer. Remember that it is recommended to stay out of the sun during the middle of the day, when the sun tends to be at its strongest. To get the most out of your time in the sun, take one Imedeen Tan Optimizer capsule/day four weeks prior to your sun vacation (or before sunny summer months) and continue to take it.

In Canada, Imedeen Tan Optimizer ($91/60 tablets) is available at the cosmetic counters of leading pharmacies and at select spas, plastic surgery and dermatology clinics across Canada. For more information, please visit Nordic Selfcare’s Web site or call 1-877-463-3336.

American readers will need to call 1-866-463-3336 for U.S. distribution, pricing and general inquiries. You can also visit Nordic Selfcare’s Web site.

The Benefit Talk to the Tan Facial Tint is a sheer facial tint that you apply evenly your over face and neck-colleté for an instant healthy “tanned” glow.

The product claims to be streak-free and the colour should stay put until you wash it off.

The secret in getting streak-free coverage is to ensure that you evenly blend your self-tanner onto your face. Don’t forget to apply a self-tanner with freshly washed hands and don’t even think of applying it around the eyes (you should avoid your eye area).

If you’re looking for that illusion of 30 days spent in Fiji, you might want to apply more than one coat in order to get a deeper and darker tan.

The Benefit Talk to the Tan Facial Tint retails for $26 (50.00 ml/1.70 oz) and you’ll find it at Sephora stores, Sephora.com and on Benefit’s Web site.

I don’t know about you, but when I read these statistics I was floored and deflated.

In Canada, the rates of skin cancer have been increasing fairly constantly since 1975.

Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the western world and it’s been estimated that skin cancer is the most common form of cancer among women aged 15-34 and the second most common form of cancer amount women over 35!

The numbers are a bit alarming, yet there are still so many people who are stubborn enough to keep pursuing the “perfect tan”.

I recently went for brunch with my good friend Krista who had just recovered from a severe infection and was bed-ridden for an entire week. When I saw her she looked radiant … thanks to the magic of self-tanning. I’ll be honest, had she not revealed that her tan had come out of a tube (and not because she had hit the beaches of Hawaii) … I would never have known.

All this to say that if you are NOT able to live with your own natural skin colour and if you want that Hollywood bronzed look, then your best bet to get “the look” while reducing your chance of skin cancer is to start looking for a good self-tanner!

The brands that are available now offer such “natural” looks that you don’t have to look orange and your skin doesn’t have to scream: “I’m wearing self-tanner!”

Ladies, don’t forget to not only take care of yourself, but also to take care of your man. According to studies men are 1.5 times more likely to develop melanoma of the skin than women and 3.3 times more likely to die from it … because (in general) men do a lot more outdoor activities and sports than women.

Skin cancer is preventable, but that means that you’ll have to considerably reduce your overexposure to the sun AND tanning beds to avoid the harmful effects of UV rays.

SkinCancerTakesFriends.ca is an informational site on skin cancer prevention sponsored by Olay. Actress Marcia Cross is the spokesperson for the campaign. If you’ve noticed Marcia has always proudly sported her pale skin. Marcia makes the perfect “face” for this campaign because she’s not trying to conform to any commercial standards and since she’s experienced skin cancer in her family, she’s in a good position to spread the word about this preventable disease.

Photo by Anonfx

Considering that it rains for a greater part of the year in Brittan, sunbathing might not be the most viable option to sport a tan. That’s why so many Brits are turning to ‘St. Tropez Everyday’ as the perfect trompe-l’oeil tanning option. This self-tanning moisturizer is U.K.’s best-selling gradual self-tanner and it’s also adored by my Irish counterparts, beauty divas Kirstie and Aisling McDermott.

St. Tropez Everyday has been reviewed and highlighted by loads of U.K. magazines and newspapers because it gives a lovely subtle tan while nourishing the skin. Now, it’s not everyday that you find a self-tanner that actually has double duty, but St. Tropez Everyday has been clinically proven to smooth out cellulite. Yes, ladies, you read it correctly; I did say that you can get a great tan and fight cellulite with one tube. The cellulite fighting power of St. Tropez Everyday comes from a few key ingredients: creatine, algae and rhodysterol – which all work together to tone the skin.

If you are looking for a richer tan than the moisturizer, you might want to consider the ultra fine aerosol spray.

It seems that the St. Tropez Everyday Airbrush aerosol spray might be one of British supermodel Kate Moss’s fave ways of sporting a killer vacation glow. It might be because a tanned skin from the St Tropez Everyday Airbrush aerosol spray will intensify over three hours.

Earlier this year, this U.K. favourite made the jump to America, but remains to be seen in stores on this side of the border. That said, Canadians can order St. Tropez Everyday online and pay in Canadian dollars from, Fabaocanada.com, a Vancouver-based distributor.

On either side of the Atlantic, there are no more excuses not to use good quality self-tanners that will give you a bronzed look without the negative effects of excessive sun exposure; plus you can sport that Bora Bora glow even in the dead of winter, without having to fork out money for the trip.

If you missed these great sun tips, they are still worth the read.

Fusion Beauty Air Glow

After 40, sun protection is imperative

Sun exposure and wrinkles

Vitamin C in the form L-Ascorbic acid will protect your skin against the harmful side effects of sun exposure. Topical vitamin C will also neutralize free radicals that can harm cell membranes and other components of skin tissue. Topical vitamin C may protect your skin against sun damage, but it will not block it from UVA and UVB rays. You’ll still need to apply a SPF product as a sunscreen.

Vitamin C is known as a powerful antioxidant. In fact, it’s the only antioxidant that has been proven to increase collagen production.

It’s a well known fact that collagen decreases with age. Your level of sun exposure (aka photoaging) in your lifetime will also contribute to accelerating the rate at which you lose collagen. Vitamin C in the form of L-ascorbic acid will help boost collagen production and maintain healthy skin.

There are many products that contain vitamin C, but only products or serums containing vitamin C in the form of L-ascorbic acid can have a direct effect on the skin. L-ascorbic acid is unstable and tends to break down quickly, that’s why it is so difficult to use this form of vitamin C in the production of cosmetic products. Ask your beauty expert or check the label to confirm that you are buying a product that contains stable vitamin C acid at a low pH and concentration of at least 10 per cent.

Vitamin C products have a short shelf life because they are prone to oxidation (they will turn brownish in colour over time). Most serums will last for up to 6 months when kept in a dark and cool area. When you do buy your vitamin C product, you’ll want to ensure that it’s perfectly sealed. Another tricky thing about vitamin C is its tendency to stain. I’ve learned the hard way that the yellowish colour of vitamin C will stain pillowcases and duvet covers. You might want to use older sheet sets during your nightly vitamin C treatment periods.

Our sexy and gorgeous Canadian men might think that sun exposure problems are only a female problem. Nothing could be further from the truth because guys are more sensitive to the sun than us gals. In fact, according to an April 2007 study conducted by WebMed Medical News, men are more likely to see the appearance of skin cancer faster (and more dramatically) than women.

Because most of our Canadian men worship the outdoors, they are far more exposed to the sun than many women and therefore have a rate of skin cancer that is twice that of women.

The practical advice that most of us women have been hearing for many years now applies equally to our men: avoid direct exposure to the sun during peak hours, wear sunscreen at all times, wear a stylish hat or a baseball cap, wear long-sleeved clothing, reapply sunscreen regularly when playing water sports and consult your doctor immediately for any abnormal skin growths.

Metrosexuals and many homosexuals have adopted the concept of taking care of your skin, but for a number of “guy’s guys” taking care of one’s skin is still taboo. For those who are uncomfortable spending time in the bathroom exfoliating and moisturizing, consider that sunscreen is not a part of a beauty regime, but potentially part of a life-saving routine.

The complete report is worth taking a few minutes to read: Men’s Skin More Sun-Sensitive — Melanoma/Skin Cancer Health Center.

Sun protection is important at every age, but it’s even more important in your 40s and 50s because you are much more vulnerable to sun exposure than you once were.

If you’ve been regularly visiting your cosmetic dermatologist for any kind of skin resurfacing treatment, then the outer layer of your skin is much thinner than it once was, making sun protection the only viable defence against serious skin damage.

SPF 15 is the absolute minimum you should consider. Ideally, you should consider SPF 30. If you spend a lot of time in the sun during the summer months, you can go straight away to SPF 30 formulation, because anything less might be putting your skin at risk. The best SPF products contain protection against both UVA (the aging rays) and UVB (the burning rays). Some of the key ingredients you should be looking for in any SPF protection include: avobenzone, titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.