Why is the kind of sunblock I use important?
How does sunblock work? Mineral, or physical blocks, and chemical blocks are the two major forms of sun protection and they vary greatly with how they perform their job.
Look at your SPF and see what is listed as the “active ingredient.” Common chemical blocks are avobenzone, octinoxate and octisalate while physical blocks contain zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Chemical blocks allow UVA/UVB rays into the skin and then neutralizes them, which minimizes damage but also creates a warm sensation in the skin. The cells that create a tan or brown pigment in our skin are very sensitive to heat. If you have melasma or brown discoloration on your skin, this heat sensation can make your pigment darker!
Physical/mineral blocks rest on top of the skin and deflect the sun’s rays while keeping the skin cool. They do not allow any UVA/UVB rays to penetrate the skin.
If you suffer from melasma or hyperpigmentation, PLEASE use a physical block! Use it when you workout, or even in the sauna. It is so important during the summer months to keep your skin as calm and cool as possible! And if you love your Neutrogena or Bobbi Brown chemical blocks, then be sure to use an antioxidant serum every morning and night under your SPF to further neutralize those harmful UVA/UVB rays from wrecking havoc on the skin.
Lovely Says….”DO try this at home!”
Keep a well-stocked beauty tool box
Ever notice how much your skin changes on a day-to-day basis? Many of you ask me what I use on my skin….well, the answer is everything! I keep every possible cosmetic tool to combat a variety of issues.
Here is a list of my absolute must-haves:
- Puffy eyes: Hydrocortisone cream, iS Clinical Youth Eye Complex
- Dehydrated skin: Aquaphor, Argan oil. Vivite Replenish Hydrating Cream
- Pimples: Brewer’s Yeast tablets, Preparation H, Oxygenetics makeup
- Dull Complexion: Vivite Scrub, Revision Brightening Cleanser, iS Clinical Super Serum
- Brown Spots: Cosmelan 2, iS Clinical White Lightening, lemon juice
- Rough Skin: Full fat plain yogurt (wear as a mask for 30 mins.)
Cat’s Corner
A natural pimple fix
Have a pimple that just popped up? Well, if all of your pro-active, salicylic combinations are just not doing the job, then try honey. Honey has natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Simply dab a small bit of honey on the spots, leave on for 20 minutes and rinse off. Do this for a few days and the pimple should subside. Try 100% Raw Active Manuka Honey.
All the best,
Lovely C. Laban, ARNP, MSN
Behrooz A. Torkian, MD
310.566.0858
info@skinbylovely.com
