Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Soaking up some Vitamin D!

This week has been so crazy! I've had multiple job and internship interviews and midterms all week, so there's nothing I'm looking forward to more than heading South for Florida on Friday! It seems like Spring Break has snuck up on me this semester, so I have yet to get many of my travel necessities like shampoo and such.

One thing that I have already invested in is some sun screen. My skin is naturally incredibly pale and sensitive to the sun, which kind of comes with the eczema that I talked about in an earlier post. When I went to Spain in June, I got sun poisoning because we were so much closer to the sun than America is, so I've learned the hard way what a lack of sunscreen can do! Here are some tips for all of you beach-goers to take advantage of!

The rules that I live by when it comes to my skin and the sun is that more is more. You can never have too much sunscreen. Most bottles recommend that you re-apply your sunscreen every 2 hours, and it's important to follow this because every time you re-apply, you're missing spots. Even if you put your sunblock on in the morning before you go to the beach and once later in the afternoon, you're exposing the places on your skin that you missed to dangerous rays. I always have a friend get my back and shoulders to make sure I'm getting coverage everywhere.

Another rule that I generally follow is that a high SPF really does make the difference. I've heard that after SPF 50 or 60 the strength doesn't really change, they're just trying to market different kinds to us pale people. But, an SPF 50 is going to do you much better than SPF 15 if you tend to burn. My mom always used Water Babies by Coppertone on us when we were kids and I still use it to this day. 

What's better than sunblock that's meant for a baby's precious skin?! 

I use SPF 50 and it works for me. What's great about Coppertone is that they make so many different products in this line. There's one that looks like a glue-stick for applying to your face and spray bottles that are waterproof for kids that don't sit still long enough to let you rub it in and let it dry.

I found some great articles with helpful advice on how to take care of your skin on the beach.
This one  has useful tips and facts about how dangerous the sun is when you're on the beach and this article provides very insightful ways to take care of your body when you come home from the beach. #5 is my favorite. There's nothing worse than chapped lips after getting some serious sun time!

Only 2 more days until Spring Break! Hang in there, everyone!

7 comments:

  1. Darling I know the feeling about the love/hate relationship we share with the sun. When I was in Australia, we spent the day at the Great Barrier Reef. I applied sunscreen in the morning, but I forgot that we are so much closer to the equator and the sun is that much stronger. That was probably the second worst burn I have gotten in my life!

    Working at a pool all summer, sunscreen is my best friend! I apply at least 3x per day, and I always make sure I have a cute baseball hat (I like trucker hats because they dry quicker) and some sunnies!

    Having pale skin as well, I have struggled with finding the perfect sunscreen over the years. My mom used the water baby on my brother and I too when we were younger, but in recent years I started using Neutrogena Wet Skin. It is waterproof, sweat proof, can be applied on wet skin and it's a spray so you don't have to get your hands nasty. It is my savior in the summer.

    I hope you have fun in Florida and I am super jealous because I am going no where fun. Enjoy the sun and send some good weather our way!

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    1. Toby, I've tried Neutrogena too but I think they put some sort of scent in in because my skin did not enjoy that experience.

      I'll (hopefully) bring the sunshine back with me from Florida!

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  2. Katie- I also share your passion about sunscreen! I wear moisturizer with sunscreen each day and when I'm going to be out in the sun for awhile my sunscreen is never far away. My skin isn't super sensitive, but my face turns red fast, so I always apply and reapply. When think I'm burned or a little pink, I put aloe on before I go to bed. It reduces the redness every time! Have fun on your trip!

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    1. Maddie, aloe is my savior as well! And I love how most concealers and blush comes with SPF so that you're always somewhat protected on your face!

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  3. My daughter calls it "hot Water Babies". Not sure why she added the hot, but now, of course, we all say it that way.

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    1. Heidi, kids always have weird ways of saying things that the rest of the family just adopts. My brother called blankets keeks and we all just accepted that.

      Have you seen this costume on Pinterest? http://pinterest.com/pin/113082640614676623/
      It'd be a cute costume for a little girl your daughter's age! :)

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