sunscreen – Page 2

Melanin is Amazing but I Need Sunscreen?

Published on February 8, 2020May 1, 2024 by Lee6 Comments

In the black community it’s a common misconception that our melanin infused skin completely eliminates the need for sunscreen as protection. Yes, our melanin does protect from some UV rays, but we actually do need to wear sunscreen too.

Skin cancer and aging lines don’t discriminate. Every skin tone on earth is at risk of being dried out, aged and burnt by the sun. It’s not too late to properly take care of your melanin.

Let’s take a moment to explore the reasons why sunscreen is a must, even for darker tones.

Cancer

This alone is good enough reason to buy sunscreen for your melanin. Skin cancer effects both light skin tones and dark. Your natural skin protectant blocks UV light up to SPF 13. This isn’t as strong as the sunscreen (SPF 30 is recommended) which is created for skin protection.

That means cancer can and will develop in your skin, if not properly protected. Studies also show that we are more likely to die from skin cancer than those with lighter skin. Melanated people are simply more likely to die from skin cancer because we aren’t looking for the signs and don’t take the necessary precautions to prevent skin cancers.

While people with dark skin have more melanin, which helps to protect their skin from UV rays, they are still at risk for developing different types of skin cancer, including melanomas. UV rays also contribute to photoaging, and regular use of sunscreen can help prevent the formation of wrinkles, dark spots, and sagging leathery skin.

You can find important information on skin cancer and melanin on Health Care’s website.

Aging and Dark Spots

One of the benefits of dark skin is the ability to look as if you haven’t aged a day. You want to keep these good looks, right? Don’t let the sun dry out your skin creating fine lines and wrinkles. It’s simply not worth it when you can purchase sunscreen designed specifically for your needs.

Sunlight also creates uneven skin tones and dark spots which can be totally avoided with a little sun screen. Aging spots and lines aren’t the only thing to worry about. Your skin will lose tone, and volume.

Sagging skin will become a reality if sunscreen isn’t used while you’re in the sun. This is especially true for those who live in areas like Texas, Florida and other places where the sun always shines.

Unwanted Burns

If you’ve never experienced a sunburn lucky you. It’s the worst feeling and seeing your skin peel right before your eyes is pretty weird. Sunburns can happen on all skin tones. Sure, you won’t burn as quickly as those with fair skin, but you can still develop burns.

Take the extra precaution of choosing the right sunscreen designed for your skin type. It doesn’t hurt to take these measures. In the long run your skin will truly thank you.

While you’re in the sun your skin will become darker, everyone knows this but do you know why? The tanning effect isn’t really a tan it’s a sign of skin damage from the sun. Your body produces more melanin in effort to protect that previous outer layer of skin.

Your melanin is amazing. It performs super hero like duties but unfortunately it cannot completely protect you from harmful UV rays. Take the time to research skin cancer in African Americans and purchase sunscreen. Your body will thank you.

Knowing the ingredients and the resulting properties isn’t on every shoppers mind, but the undesirable outcomes are. The majority of shoppers look for a product that isn’t greasy or that doesn’t leave a noticeable residue on the skin. A good deal of people also look for a product that is in line with their own ethics. I, for one, look for Vegan/ cruelty free products that also hydrate the skin. I normally just stick with Aveeno PROTECT + HYDRATE Lotion but today… well read on to see why Bolden SPF 30 Brightening Moisturizer got me singing ♪♪♪. (Click here to continue)

Pages: 1 2

This DIY Oil Will Give You The Richest Tan

Published on August 14, 2019August 14, 2019 by Lee1 Comment

While we realize the saying “life is better with a tan”, may be a little OTT, it does make you feel like an absolute goddess. While some beauties can literally spend 20 minutes in the sun and be transformed into a bronzed bombshell, there are some of us who need a little assistance from a trusty tanning oil. We know summer is almost over but for the ones who got that sunshine in their pocket, we decided it was time to check out the best tanning formulas on the market and DIY. And we’re SO impressed with the results!

Our DIY tanning oil gives you the deepest tan without having to spend days in the sun and leaving your piggy-bank empty. Plus it got loads of amazing ingredients that nourish and hydrate your skin at the same time. We’re kinda annoyed we didn’t think of it sooner!

Why you need to DIY your own tanning oil

@BEAUTYLEEBAR

Yes…. black people and people of color do tan too. So, with that being said, recently me and my beauties were thinking about how we could save money on tanning oils. With research and experimenting, we realized how easy it would be to recreate our fave branded tanning oil at-home, as they’re mostly just a combination of oils. Plus, buying the original oils is often a lot cheaper in the long run, as we tend to go through our branded tanning oil in under a month. Nothing can beat that Floridian sun, haha.

Our DIY tanning oil is also seriously beneficial for your skin; it’s bursting with antioxidants and of course, it’s uber-moisturizing, so while you’re attracting the rays, you’re also rejuvenating your skin. Plus, the healthier and more hydrated the skin, the deeper the tan will be and the longer it will last. Here’s what you need:

Ingredients

3 tablespoons of vitamin E Oil or carrot seed oil
½ cup of Jojoba oil
½ cup of Grapeseed oil
½ cup of Coconut oil
Optional: A bronzed shimmer eyeshadow or highlighter

Mix the oil together in a bowl (try to use cold pressed organic oils), then using a funnel dispense the mixture into a spray bottle. If you want to amp up your glow, you can also break a bronze highlighter into the mixture. Shake well before use and apply onto your skin, once you’ve applied sunscreen.

@BEAUTYLEEBAR

But NEVER forget SPF…

We cannot stress enough how important SPF is whenever you’re in the sun. If your skin is left unprotected, you can damage your skin and increase the risk of premature aging, dark spots and hyperpigmentation, and increase your risk of getting skin cancer. So before you apply your DIY oil, you need to apply a lot of SPF, and then apply even more. We recommend at least a factor 30 to be reapplied every 2 hours as a minimum, as we tend to apply it much more sparingly than is done during lab testing so an SPF 30 will offer you only SPF 15 in most cases.” If you have fair skin, make sure you apply factor 50 – and yes, you can still tan through SPF (we know because we use factor 50 every weekend)!

Now, go and enjoy every second of that beautiful sun!

Let us know if you guys try this DIY tanning oil in the comments below.

Skin Saver: What the SPF?

Published on September 29, 2018September 29, 2018 by Lee2 Comments

When I walk into the sunscreen aisle I always feel a bit overwhelmed. So many numbers, so many acronyms (SPF, UVA, UVB, COTZ, WTF?!), and so not sure what to look for… I figured many of you might feel the same way so I did a little research and put together this simple, no-brainer guide about SPF.

Aside from using retinoid creams and topical antioxidants, sunscreen is the most powerful ammo us girls have against wrinkles and rough skin. While it’s smart to wear sunscreen when you know you’ll be outdoors (beach, shopping, brunching, running, or whatever) it’s still important to wear it every day, even if you’re going to be indoors–no exceptions. Rain or shine, summer or winter, SPF is a must.

Okay so enough about when to wear it. Let’s talk shop about picking the right SPF and how to wear it.

Most of us would think that the higher the SPF number, the better. Right? Wrong. Without going into too much detail, the SPF number is simply a standard for how long you can tolerate the sun without burning. So if you can stay in the sun for 10 minutes without burning, an SPF of 15 would allow you to spend 150 minutes in the sun before burning. It’s all very confusing. But the bottom line here is that anything over SPF 30 isn’t going to protect your any better. The numbers are based on time spent in the sun, which is why reapplication is essential. Also, for those of you who think that layering on SPF 15 over your SPF 10 will give the protection of SPF 25–think again. Layering does not increase the SPF. I suppose the only benefit is that it ensures that every area is covered. Ideally, you should wear SPF 30 or greater according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

Bottom line: Wear SPF 30 or greater with broad-spectrum UVA/ UVB protection. Apply it to your face, neck, and hands every single day and smother it onto your body when you are going to be outdoors in the sun.

What’s your favorite facial SPF?

XO Lee

P.S. Fun fact: Sunscreen typically maintains its strength for about 3 years. After that time period, it is less effective. So if your SPF doesn’t have an expiration date, be sure to write it onto the bottle when you get it so you can keep track.