The past few days have been particularly dreary here in NYC, but we're on the brink of Memorial Day Weekend, which means the next few days will (hopefully) be filled with sun, sand and some serious SPF. But as the weather heats up, it's time to finally usher out the tanner-is-better fad once and for all and protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays, especially because Sunday May 27th is National Sunscreen Day. The folks over at Supergoop! have not only combined comprehensive sun protection with a prestige skincare formula, but they're on a mission to educate and protect the world about the jargon that most big-name companies plaster all over their products. First up on the Supergoop! agenda? Project Backpack.
Did you know sunscreens are prohibited from America's schools because they're regulated by the FDA as an over-the-counter drug? This means that even if parents are sending their children to school with a layer of protection, once recess rolls around, they're vulnerable to the sun's harmful UVA and UVB rays. Supergoop! Founder and CEO (and mommy of two!) Holly Thaggard was outraged by this antiquated law, so she launched Project Backpack to educate the nation on healthy skin habits and to serve as a vehicle to influence changes in state policies. As she says, "The time to start incorporating SPF into your daily skincare regimen is during the school years. This is a very important time to get these positive messages to children as it will influence health behaviors later in life." As part of the Project Backpack Provide and Protect initiative, for every SPF 30 product purchased, Supergoop! will donate one backpack-sized sunscreen to approved partner schools across the U.S. I caught up with Holly to find out what everyone needs to know about sun protection.
Why is it so important to keep Supergoop! paraben and oxybenzone-free?
I wanted to create a brand free of any controversial ingredients, while being mindful of skin-compatible ingredients and natural preservative systems. I take the committment to myself, my children and our Supergoop! families everywhere to formulate without parabens, petrochemicals, fragrances, and phthalates to provide an environment and body-friendly choice for innovative UV protection.
Growing up, I wasn't exactly been vigilant about sun protection. Now, I stay out of the sun and use Supergoop! religiously, but is it possible for me to make up for the skin damage now?
I don't think it's ever too late to protect your skin from UV damage and environmental stresses or to work on enhancing your skin and reversing the signs that took years to accumulate. I recommend to always hydrate both your insides and out by drinking plenty of water, wearing a moisturizer daily, using topical anti-oxidants and eating healthy foods like salmon and blueberries etc with antioxidants that help reduce inflammation which leads to further damage.
What level of SPF is appropriate for everyday use?
I recommend using an SPF 30, daily. We formulated our SPF 30+ Everyday UV Lotion for Face and Body to give the optimal amount of protection for your skin day in and day out. At minimum a broad spectrum SPF 20 should be worn.
If I'm using both sunscreen and a moisturizer on my face (or body), which goes on first?
It is often a personal preference, but I think it's best to follow the rule of layering based on thinnest to thickest consistency. If your sunscreen is thinner than your moisturizer, than apply it first.
A beauty blogger (who shall not be named) once told me she layers on three separate SPF 15 products on her face. Does this actually provide more protection, or is that a complete fallacy?
Wow, that's a lot of sunscreen! While I commend her desire to be protected, it isn't necessary for three applications at one setting if you are applying the proper amount with broad spectrum and an SPF factor of at least 20. By layering an SPF 15, the UVB protection does not multiply.
How do you know if you've applied enough sunscreen?
Make sure you're using at least an ounce of sunscreen all over the face and body for areas that are exposed to the sun. If you'll be in the sun for longer amounts of time, be sure to reapply every two hours. When applying mineral sun protection, you don't need to use quite as much as the minerals sit on top of the skin so it can be applying more sparingly.
I've been using the City Sunscreen Serum for a few days now and I'm in love! What's your favorite product?
Well I'm a little biased (the City Sunscreen is my favorite too!), but of course I love and regularly apply them all! I make sure I have a Lip Fusion in my purse at all times to go on top of my favorite lip colour, and lately have been loving the City Serum and Save Face AM Moisturizer Combo so that my skin, coming out of winter months, has plenty of hydration. With the warmer weather, I've been especially partial to our new SPF 20 Gradual Self Tanning Mousse, I actually developed it because I needed something to give me a little color for my trips with the kids to the pool without sacrificing the need for broad spectrum sun protection. It smells great and hydrates in addition to giving me a natural olive tan. I apply it four to five times week, right after showering, to my arms and legs.
Lastly, because FDA has only recently approved a test method for UVA protection, check your sunscreen to make sure the frontside states BROAD SPECTRUM SPF XX in all one line,size, style and font. They put this requirement in place so that consumers could differentiate between products that have passed the new Broad Spectrum test and those that have been on shelves, untested for years!
To learn more about Supergoop!, follow the brand on Twitter or click here!
Comments (0)
Be the first to comment!