You cannot go anywhere these days without hearing about it. Sunscreen; put some on! With the threat of skin cancer forever looming in the rays of the sun, sunscreen has become a staple of a good skin care regimen. Along with keeping your skin dirt free and moisturized, you will want to add a layer of protection from damaging UV rays, so you need a good sunscreen. The confusing factor is that there are so many different sunscreens out there to choose from. When should you put on sunscreen? Is waterproof sunscreen really waterproof? What if your skin is darker? Is it really helping to protect your skin? These are only a few of the questions you may have regarding sunscreen. Now is the time to know the facts. Most people tend to slather on the sunscreen right before going out into the sun. Nice try, but that is not enough. You need to apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before you go outside to romp in the sun. Around 20 minutes later, you should put on a second coat to make sure any spots you have missed have a chance at being covered, as well as making sure your protection is still in place. If you only have a regular sunscreen (non waterproof or sweat proof), you should reapply at least every two hours of continuous sun exposure. Should you be swimming of constantly sweating, reapply much more frequently. Not only can the wetness help to remove it, but when you dry off with your towel, you will also be wiping off your sunscreen, so put more on once you are finished drying. A waterproof sunscreen will usually last you for around 80 minutes if you are constantly having fun in the water, so be sure you should reapply frequently just to be sure. There are water resistant sunscreens which will last for half as much time as waterproof sunscreens; around 40 minutes, so reapply when your time is up. Many people will put sunscreen on the basic areas of the body; arms, legs, torso, and face. They often forget other areas, which can become especially sensitive when burned, such as the ears, back of your neck, tops of your feet, and exposed areas of your scalp. As it can be a little cumbersome to get to some of these places with a typical sunscreen lotion, you can always use a spray or a sunscreen stick. You may find that some of your cosmetics, such as foundation, contain sunscreen. While this is helpful, the SPF power they contain is not going to be anywhere near as strong as what a typical sunscreen can offer you. Obviously you are not going to apply a nice thick later of foundation. Instead, try a moisturizer that contains a high SPF sunscreen. Remember that sunscreen does have a shelf life; so that bottle you bought last summer will probably not be as strong as you need it to be today. The ingredients in sunscreens will eventually lose their strength and be of little use to you. If you find that your sunscreen is a different color, drier, or has a different consistency, it is time to buy a new sunscreen and toss out the other one. People with sensitive skin may have trouble using some sunscreens. These days, chemical-free sunscreens have begun to grace the market shelves. These contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These ingredients and the other ingredients they work with can help keep your skin from becoming irritated while still deflecting the rays of the sun. Even if you have dark skin, you should use sunscreen. People equate sunscreen with protection from sunburn, but it is also necessary to help avoid skin cancer, something people with dark skin can still get even if they do not burn. Keep your skin safe and put on some sunscreen, even if you have no burn worries. Keep YOURSELF looking and feeling great with these great FREE Beauty Tips from http://www.NaturalElements.co.uk In just seconds you can access over 36 beauty topics that will keep you looking younger and more radiant. You can now get the very latest information on Skin Care by subscribing with RSS Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Louise_Forrest

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Don't shelve that sunscreen just yet. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, in 2006 more than 1.5 million skin cancers will be diagnosed in the United States. Often we forget that even during cold weather we are subject to powerful ultraviolet radiation in the form of UVA rays, when the sun reflects off snow and other surfaces. What's more, these rays can pass through glass, are not affected by changes in temperature and penetrate deep into skin layers, possibly causing long-term damage. That's why industry-leading dermatologists, such as Dr. Susan C. Taylor, say people need to wear long-lasting broad spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVB rays (responsible for burning the skin) and UVA rays (responsible for many skin cancers and premature aging) year-round. "All sun screens are not created equal. Most lose their potency soon after sun exposure," Dr. Taylor explains. "People should always look for sunscreens with active ingredients that remain potent all day." Dr. Taylor recommends broad spectrum protection because it contains natural actives that help to deliver long-lasting protection against UVB rays, as well as the higher wavelengths of UVA rays. Healthy Ideas Like Dr. Taylor, The Skin Cancer Foundation also believes and teaches that it is important to protect skin from the sun year-round, not just in the summer or at the beach. The best way to do that is to use a broad spectrum SPF all- day protection. And not only adults; it's a crucial necessity for babies, too. When choosing sun protection for children, it's important to look for a line with high SPF that's formulated just for babies with some extra care. For example, Aveeno Continuous Protection for Baby SPF 55 is made with an exclusive Active Photobarrier Complex that prevents active ingredients in the formula from breaking down-and like all other Aveeno products the line is made with natural ingredients. So what else can you do to protect yourself? Be sure to wear a large-brimmed hat when you go outside, get a good pair of sunglasses and, Dr. Taylor says, that whatever sunblock you use, make sure it has an SPF of at least 30. By: Stacey Moore Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com For more information, visit www.aveeno.com. It's important to protect skin from the sun year-round.

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The message that the sun is not as benevolent as it feels and can be harmful is coming across loud and clear to American women, according to an independent survey commissioned by Physicians Formula Cosmetics. Four out of five surveyed acknowledged concern over sun exposure, and nearly all said protection from the sun is the most important factor influencing their skin care product purchases. With good reason. In the United States, one in every three cancers diagnosed this year will be skin cancer. Chronic overexposure to sunlight is the cause of 95 percent of all skin cancers. Here are some other things to know about sun exposure and skin cancer, regardless of the season. * Damage occurs with each unprotected exposure and accumulates over a lifetime. * Clouds block only 20 percent of harmful radiation. * Sitting in the shade doesn't guarantee protection from sunburn. Manufacturers are well-aware of women's growing concern over sun exposure and now offer a variety of protective products. Particularly popular is makeup with sunscreen, such as waterproof LeVelvet Cream makeup (SPF 15), Sun Shield Liquid Makeup (SPF 15) and Gentle Cover Cream Concealer (SPF 10), all made by Physicians Formula. By: Richard Lewis Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com Makeup with sunscreen is available at drug and cosmetic stores nationwide. - NU

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