BellaSugar

What We're Sweet On: An Unscented Sunscreen/Hydrating Serum

Miriam Lacey — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 05:01:00 PDT

Supergoop Save Face Serum SPF 30+ ($32) is one of those quiet surprises of a product. The packaging is unprepossessing, and it doesn't have a big ad campaign or make a bunch of over-the-top claims to get you to buy it. Really, though, it doesn't have to, because this is the rare product that surpasses your expectations and then some. It smells like nothing -no perfume, no essential oils, nothing- and it soaks in extremely quickly.

It's a godsend for people with dry, easily clogged skin. It hydrates, but is far too light to goop up pores. It's made with chemical sunscreens, so physical block fans may want to give it a pass. But if you want something that's great under makeup or a moisturizer, has full-spectrum protection, and isn't likely to cause reactivity, it's an excellent bet.

Sunburns and UV Damage May Soon Be Less of a Problem

Miriam Lacey — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 10:59:00 PDT

UK researchers are working on an anti-UV pill that gets skin cells to make their own natural "sunscreen," preventing wide spectrum UV damage. The team leading the pill development expects to be testing it within the next two years and hopes to have it out on shelves within the next five. To find out how it works and what, exactly, is in it, just keep reading.

Zinka Sunscreen Makes a Comeback, Has Been Here For Years

Annie Tomlin — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 06:10:40 PDT

Back in the late '80s, any grommet worth her weight on a surfboard knew about Zinka. Surfers used to apply the bold, bright zinc oxide sunscreen on the bridge of their noses, frequently creating neon-tinged designs on their skin with the stuff. It wasn't long before surf and skate wannabes took the trend far past the California coast, and for a while, high demand made a tube of Zinka hard to track down. But as the Me decade gave way to the grunge years, the appetite for lime-green sunscreen subsided. I'd always assumed Zinka faded away with mirrored Oakley Razor Blades, but the SoCal company is still around. These days, it offers clear sunscreen along with 10 classic colors that are so Burning Man. If this brand makes a big comeback, don't be surprised if Zubaz is next.

What's in a Word? Decoding Sunscreen Terminology

Heather Dale — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 01:26:58 PDT

While sunscreen companies work on rolling out their new bottle labels - thanks to the new regulations put into place by the FDA - there are still some basic sunscreen terms that are confusing to many. For instance, what's the difference between UVA and UVB? And is water-resistant just as effective as waterproof? Let's get all of our "burning" sunscreen questions answered!

SPF: SPF stands for "Sun Protection Factor." According to WebMD, SPF is the ability of a sunscreen to block UVB rays, which cause sunburns, but not UVA rays, which can penetrate skin more deeply. The number, however, doesn't indicate how long a person can be outside in the sun before suffering from a burn. Some doctors argue that ditching your bottle of SPF 30 for a higher SPF may lead to a false sense of security about staying in the sun longer without reapplying. With the new regulations about labeling, the FDA has proposed a rule that would ban companies from labeling its sunscreen with an SPF of 50 or higher. Research suggests that there aren't any additional benefits once the SPF gets that high.

Find out what other sunscreen terms mean.

Skin Saving Protection From Summer's Harsh Rays

LilSugar — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 04:45:40 PDT

Take cover! A significant percentage of our exposure to sun occurs by age 18, and with Summer in full swing, beaches, pools, and other outdoor activities rule the day. While avoiding the sun completely just isn't an option for most families, Mr. Golden Sun's dangerous UV rays can be avoided with the right accessories. Infants' thin skin and underdeveloped melanin can cause their skin to burn faster than older kids. To celebrate UV Safety Awareness Month, we're looking beyond sunscreen and the rash guard for the best products to protect even the littlest tots' precious skin now, and throughout the year.

Clockwise from top left: Speedo Hydrospex Kids Goggle ($10), Coolibar UPF 50+ Infant Chlorine Resistant Bucket Sun Hat ($19), i play Long Sleeve Rashguards ($12), Julbo Infant Looping Sunglasses, 0-18 months ($30), Breakers UV Sun Protective Two Piece Swimsuit for Infant/Toddler Boys (UPF 50+) ($40), Coolibar UPF 50+ Child Swim Sun Sleeve ($40).

State All but Bans Counselors From Applying Sunscreen to Campers

Rebecca M Gruber — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 08:21:07 PDT

A sure sign that Summer's in full swing is the smell of sunscreen in the air. Drop the tots off at camp and mama's likely to be bombarded with the wafts of the lotion carefully lathered on by mom. But if mama's in Maryland and her tot still comes home with a sunburn, don't be surprised! In what's being called the nation's strictest rules on the matter, the state is now regulating who may reapply sunscreen to campers throughout the day, and it's not who you think.

Starting this Summer, parents must sign a form granting their child permission to wear the skin-saving lotions and sprays. They must also indicate whether or not their tot can have assistance from camp counselors. And if a friend wants to help your lil one put on the lotion, think again. Campers are not allowed to aid each other in the process - ever. The state has issued the regulation in an attempt to prevent inappropriate touching at camp (and this current version is more lenient than the first one, which outlawed counselors from applying suncreen at all), but have they gone too far?

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Sunscreen in One Easy Place

Miriam Lacey — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 13:52:55 PDT

It's always something with sunscreen. Whether there are new guidelines, emerging suspicions about popular ingredients, or the always complicated SPF versus PA +++ and UVA versus UVB, it's difficult to put everything you need to know in writing without getting long-winded or convoluted. Luckily, though, Information Is Beautiful created this amazing sunscreen infographic that explains just about everything you could ever want to know about the stuff in one concise, easy-to-read chart. So to have all your questions cleared up, just keep reading.

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

At-Home Sunburn Remedies

Real Beauty — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 04:10:00 PDT

We're happy to present this article from one of our partners, Real Beauty:

To put it simply, sunburns suck. Luckily, there are some products lurking in your kitchen that can help you take the sting out of scorched skin.

More stories from RealBeauty.com:
Treat Sunburned Lips

Do You Wear Sunscreen Every Day?

Susi May — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 02:23:47 PDT

After getting a pretty wicked sunburn on by upper back and neck, then peeling a week later, I feel like I have molted. But the new me is a bit smarter. While, I usually apply a moisturizer fortified with SPF to my face daily, I used to neglect the back of my neck but no more. These days, post burn, I am taking serious precautions - especially if I know I am going to out in the sun running or just running errands. What about you . . .

Flickr User Robert S. Donovan