Put Away That Hand Lotion!

As usual I wasn't paying attention as I squeezed some sunblock out of the tube. I had already generously coated my face and messaged some over my throat but my hands were still covered with the stuff.
I was trying a new one from Bath and Body Works, True Blue Spa. The first listed active ingredient is Avobenzone which is proven to protect against those dreaded UVA rays, the ones responsible for aging . At $12. for six ounces I didn't want to waste the remainder of the lotion and so rubbed it on the backs of my hands
Those hands haven't been looking so good lately despite my being more diligent about moisturizing them. I even went so far as to invest in creams and lotions just for that body part instead of using what ever I had.
About an hour later as I was typing, I glanced down at my hands. They didn't have their usual dried out, dull look. The skin even looked a bit thicker and much smoother than it had in quite awhile.
All and all it's a good purchase, a multi purpose product that's both enhancing, protecting and water-proof
Give it a try.
Cheers,
Barb

BEWARE THAT SPF!

Why? Because it's misleading. For years I've been tracking those numbers, secretly applauding as they rose from a mere 2 on Coppertone back in the 1970's to a whopping 75 on a recent purchase of Neutorgena. I felt virtuous and smart when I purchased a host of different moisturizers over the years both for my face and body with an SPF of 15 or higher. Not only was I moisturizing my paper dry skin,I was protecting it too and saving time in the process.
Unfortunately I was wrong. SPF refers to Sun Protection Index. It's number indicates the amount of time you can stay in the sun after applying the product without burning . It protects only against the UVB rays that cause sunburn but does not protect against the UVA rays that penetrate deep into the skin and cause premature aging and skin cancer. You need what is known as a broad spectrum sunscreen, one that states that it protects against UVA andUVB rays. Most often that protection is afforded by either by trademarked combinations such as Parasol, Helioplex or Mexoryl or ingredients such as Zinc Oxcide,Avobenzone, Homosalate or Octisalate. Read those labels before you purchase.
Cheers, Barb

BARB'S BEAUTY BUY OF THE WEEK

You are probably expecting an inexpensive but great product that can erase all the imperfections that keep us from looking like the models in those glossy ads. Sorry to disappoint but what this Best Buy will do is prevent future damage .Yes, I'm talking about sun block, a product I all but bathed in last summer and spent quite a bit a money on in the process.

The other day on a routine trip to Costco,while trying to restrain myself from buying numerous things I really didn't need, I spied Neutrogena Dry-Touch Sunblock. It has an SPF of 55 which is usually hard to find. Neutrogena, in it's various forms is the one sunblock recommended by every dermatologist I've ever consulted(except for those hawking their own products) .

UltraSheer Dry Touch contains Helioplex, a combination of avobenzone,homosalte and other ingredients that block those aging UVA rays, the ones responsible for wrinkles, twice as long as any other product on the market. Most sunblocks stop working after two hours. The product is quickly absorbed and unlike other heavy duty sunblocks I've tried, leaves no residue. It's waterproof, sweatproof and resists rub off. $13.99 buys two 3.fl ounce tubes which is packaged along with a lip moisturizer. Stock Up!