BellaSugar

Save Your Skin With These Must-Have SPF Moisturizers

BellaSugar — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 06:00:45 PDT

We all know that sunscreen is the key to healthy, gorgeous skin - but sometimes, applying it can feel like an extra step. If you frequently forget to wear SPF, turn to an all-in-one moisturizer that both hydrates and protects. You'll stave off premature signs of aging, keep your skin soft, and save time in your morning routine. These three have excellent textures (no chalky or greasy feel!), are rated SPF 30, and are bound to be among your favorites.

The Sunscreen Tips and Tricks You Need to Know

BellaSugar — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 03:05:00 PDT

If there's one beauty product that knows no seasonal bounds, it's sunscreen. Though the warm-weathered season is prime time to slather on the good stuff, hopefully you have it on year-round. From the top SPF products to the FDA's new rules on sunscreen, get caught up now on what you need to know about protecting your skin.

The Best Sunscreens For All Skin Types	Beyond Sunscreen: 5 Other Ways to Get Sun Protection	What the FDA's New SPF Rules Mean For You
Easy Home Remedies For a Sunburn	5 Tips For Keeping Your Skin in Check	How Hyperpigmentation Happens

The FDA's New Sunscreen Rules: What They Mean For You

Jaime Richards — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 12:02:42 PDT

It's been a long time coming, and after 33 years with no major updates on sunscreen labeling, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is cracking down. Starting next year, manufacturers will be required to eliminate SPF confusion by making it clearer as to what level and type of protection sunscreens provide. "These changes will help people make better-informed decisions about how to use sunscreens and allow them to more effectively protect themselves and their families," the FDA's Janet Woodcock said. To see the main highlights of the FDA's modernized rules, just keep reading.

Beyond Sunscreen: 5 Other Ways to Get Sun Protection

Jaime Richards — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 06:00:59 PDT

While it's essential to apply sunscreen each day, there are a few other ways you can safeguard skin from damage. In fact, many warm-weather garments and accessories carry an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) value to block out the brightest harmful rays. See some examples now.

4 Ways to Protect Your Hair From the Summer Sun

Brittney Stephens — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 03:15:00 PDT

Reader dreamalittledream recently asked for tips on keeping her newly colored hair from fading in the sun in the BellaSugar Q and A group in the Bella Community. It's a great question, because while we're sure you're in the habit of applying sunscreen to your face and body, perhaps the hair doesn't get the SPF protection it might need, too. So, to find out how to help keep your coiffure from fading and frying this season, just keep reading.

What You Need to Know Before Spraying On Your Sunscreen

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 16:02:24 PDT

I'm hitting the beach this weekend, so I wanted to run to the drugstore to quickly grab some sunscreen. Seems easy enough, but when I saw all the different bottles, I just stood and stared. Why are there so many to choose from? It makes it really confusing as a consumer. Being fair-skinned, the SPF is a cinch; I always go for 55 or higher. And because I exercise outdoors and spend time in the water, I always get one that's waterproof. I also make sure the label says broad spectrum so I know I'm protected against both UVA and UVB rays. But what about using a lotion versus a spray? A spray seems like it'd be less messy, plus it's easier to get to hard-to-reach spots like my upper back.

But is a spray as effective as lotion? To find out, keep reading.

Gisele Bündchen Clarifies Her Sunscreen Is "Poison" Statement

Jaime Richards — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 11:43:00 PST

By now, you've likely heard that Gisele Bündchen has taken a lot of flak after recently making an antisunscreen comment, saying, "I cannot put this poison on my skin . . . I do not use anything synthetic." As you can imagine, her words sparked an uproar within the medical community, with Dolival Loao of Brazil's National Cancer Institute noting that sunscreen is beneficial for its ability to prevent cancer. He said, "This is not any poison, when a public person makes a statement like this, it creates confusion."

And now, Gisele has clarified the controversial statement through her publicist, Amber Clapp. Amber tells StyleList, "Gisele would never say not to use sunscreen because she has had family members who have had skin cancer. She simply stated that her all-natural skin-care [Sejaa] line does not have SPF because there is not an all natural SPF available." Instead, Gisele wears sun protection free of PABA, retinyl palmitate, parabens, and oxybenzone, and explained on her blog, "I do use sunblock but also I try my best not to be exposed to the sun when it is too strong."

What do you think? Do Gisele's latest explanations make up for her original remarks or are you more confused than ever?

Healthy Skin Is In: 5 Tips For Keeping Yours in Check

Jaime Richards — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 08:00:55 PDT

A former high school chemistry teacher and self-confessed "skin care junkie," Marie Veronique Nadeau started Marie Veronique Organics after becoming frustrated with the lack of decent sunscreen options in stores. So she decided to make some of her own, and the rest is history. From DIY mask ideas to advice on when to start using antiaging products to the reasoning behind why oil on the face is a good thing, Marie is a wealth of skin care knowledge. To find out the rest of her advice on how to keep your skin in check, just keep reading.

iPhone App of the Week: Coppertone MyUVAlert

BellaSugar — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 09:00:22 PDT

If you take your sun protection seriously, here's just the app for you: Coppertone MyUVAlert. Even if you're not quite as diligent about SPF, you'll at least take away some sage advice from this application.

Just type in your zip code, or the zip of any other US city, and you'll get the current UV index, along with advice on what to do to protect yourself based on the reading. You can then customize by activity levels to receive product recommendations (Coppertone, of course). You can even set a timer to remind you to reapply your SPF at regular intervals. FYI: Every two hours or so is the standard.

There's even a tips section chock-full of helpful words of SPF wisdom, and a link to the Weather Channel website. Will this app blow your mind? No, but I could see it coming in handy at the store or while on vacation. And since it's free, and you get a $1 off coupon just for downloading, it's worth a few minutes of your time to check out.

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Get Back in Condition With a Lip Conditioner

BellaSugar — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 07:00:00 PDT

Not only does a lip conditioner help soften lips, but it also creates a smoother surface, allowing your lipstick to wear longer. Some conditioners are even formulated with SPF. Whee! For maximum impact:

Apply lip conditioner, like Aveda Nourish-Mint Lip Treatment ($15) and then gently sweep over with a lightly powdered powder brush before applying lipstick. This helps lipstick adhere and stay put.
Use your lip conditioner alone for a subtle sheen. This is especially nice if you're not into glossy finishes.
Wear overnight as a hydrating treatment.

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