Sunscreen & Avoiding "Makeup Meltdown"

Here's a double dose from the dailyglow.com since I have missed a few Mondays...I know SLACKER!!! I thought these two issues where SO relevant to us right now that I though I would share them first. Enjoy!

Have you ever stood in the sunscreen aisle at your local drugstore, staring at the shelves full of tubes and bottles until your eyes glazed over? Help may be on the way. This month, for the first time in 33 years, the FDA released new guidelines that are designed to simplify the confusing and often misleading labels on sunscreens. Most manufacturers have a year to comply, so it should be easier to pick one next summer. Here’s the lowdown:

• The word “sunblock” will no longer be allowed on labels, since this implies that the product blocks out all UV rays.
• Only sunscreens that protect equally against UVA (aging) rays and UVB (burning) rays can be labeled “broad spectrum.”
• Sunscreens with SPF of 15 or higher can claim that they prevent sunburn, sun damage, and skin cancer. Sunscreens with SPF less than 15 will be required to carry a warning that they haven’t been shown to prevent skin cancer or aging.
• Sunscreens will not be able to call themselves waterproof or sweatproof. This is because no sunscreen can be completely budge-proof under water. They can be labeled as water-resistant; if so, they’ll need to indicate how long (40 or 80 minutes) you can swim or sweat before the protection wears off.
• In addition, the FDA is proposing a maximum SPF of 50. Sunscreens that have SPF values higher than 50 would be labeled as SPF 50+. This is because there’s no scientific proof that a higher SPF provides more protection from skin cancer and aging compared to products with SPF 50. The agency is also taking a closer look at sunscreen sprays to evaluate how well they protect, as well as the safety of inhaling the mist.

While these guidelines are a step in the right direction, the labeling is still not as informative and helpful as labels in Europe and Asia, which have rating systems that help sunscreen users compare the degree of UVA protection between products. The FDA should also take a closer look at the safety of current sunscreen ingredients, and speed up their review and approval of newer ingredients with better UVA protection as well as less irritation and potential toxicity.
For more information on the change in sunscreen labeling, visit the American Academy of Dermatology.

Here is how to avoid a "makeup meltdown" =):

Q: I want to schedule more sessions with the cute new trainer at my gym, but I need to figure out how to keep my makeup from dripping all over my face during the workout. How do I pull off a polished look while exercising?

A: Dripping makeup is messy, and it can be a real turnoff — even at the gym. But don’t sweat it! Here are some tips that’ll help you avoid makeup melt and show off your natural glow instead:

1. Wear less makeup. The gym is one place where you can get away with this, so go for it. Instead of full foundation, just dab on a little concealer wherever you need it.
2. If you need more coverage, add some tinted moisturizer to help even out your complexion. For oily or acne-prone skin, try Neutrogena’s Healthy Skin Enhancer, which is oil free and noncomedogenic. Bobbi Brown’s Tinted Moisturizing Balm works well for dry skin. (Or mix some of your usual foundation with a bit of moisturizer to make your own.)
3. Skip the blush — your workout will give you a natural glow.
4. Use waterproof liner and mascara to avoid raccoon eyes. For a clean, natural look, I like Maybelline Unstoppable Smudgeproof Waterproof Eyeliner and L’Oréal’s Panoramic Curl Waterproof Mascara because they add definition and won’t run down your face.
5. Use a tinted lip balm instead of lipstick, and skip the lip liner so you don’t end up with an odd-looking outline around your mouth by the end of your workout. And no goopy gloss, either — it’ll just get all over your teeth and water bottle.

       6.   Carry a towel for blotting the sweat from your face — pat, don’t wipe!