Daylight Saving Time: Spring Forward to Protect Your Skin Against Overexposure to the Sun

Did you oversleep this week? Are you having trouble keeping an alert state of mind? 

No doubt about it. Daylight Saving Time (DST), which began last weekend, can make you feel out of sorts--especially if you're not sure to what to do. Take Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, who gained international fame last year after admitting to smoking crack cocaine and media reports of public intoxication. He wrongly advised his 130,000 Twitter followers to "turn your clocks back." The guru of gaffes soon deleted the tweet without explanation and then posted a correct one stating, "Daylight saving time starts this evening, turn your clocks forward and change batteries in smoke alarms."

DST disaster: Toronto Mayor Rob Ford

DST gives evenings one more hour of sunlight, while mornings now have one hour less. It begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November--except in Hawaii and Arizona, which observe standard time year-round. And, if you can remember the phrase "spring forward, fall back," you'll have no problem resetting your clocks to the proper time.

The seasonal adjustment serves as a reminder to address important safety concerns. While fire departments and politicians such as Ford prompt people to change the batteries in their smoke alarms, it's also a good time of the year to reassess your sunscreen needs. Do you require a higher formulation of sun protection factor (SPF)? Should you carry a tube or container around in your purse, so you don't forget to use it? Do you need to use it more than once each day?

Overexposure to the sun can cause uneven pigmentation, dark spots and premature aging. Now that we have more waking hours of daylight, skincare products containing SPF need to be top of mind--which should happen during any season. So take a look-see at the latest creams, sticks and balms. They will help you avoid any DST disasters, and your skin will glow as bright as the spring season.

Change smoke alarm batteries. Check! Rotate throw pillows. Done! Wear sunscreen. Always!

SHINE: 100% Pure Everywhere Sun Stick SPF 30. BEAUTY: Cloak your skin in broad spectrum UVA/UVA protection and keep your pores unclogged with titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, vitamin E, and sunflower and castor seed oils. BEACON: Vegan, and gluten and cruelty free. Also contains no detergents, synthetic chemicals, or artificial fragrances or colors.

SHINE: Alba Botanica Even Advanced CC Cream Tinted Mineral Perfector SPF 15 (Fair to Light). BEAUTY: Algae extract, aloe vera leaf juice, shea butter and titanium dioxide not only shield your skin from the harmful effects of the sun, but they also aid in giving it a smooth, even and airbrushed look. BEACON: No animal testing and vegan. Free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances and artificial colors. Supports Furry Friends Rescue and Farm Sanctuary.

SHINE: Coola Organic Suncare Face Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 (Unscented Matte Tint), Body Classic Sunscreen Moisturizer SPF 30 (Plumeria) and Face Classic Sunscreen SPF 30 (Cucumber). BEAUTY: Promote elasticity, while also protecting and pampering your skin, with avobenzone, titanium dioxide, cucumber fruit extract and linseed seed oil. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of paba, parabens, petroleum and phthalates. Supports Save Our Seas.

SHINE: Éminence Organic Skin Care Red Currant Protective Moisturizer SPF 30. BEAUTY: Red currant extract, zinc oxide, elderflower tea and vitamin E prevent sunburn and early skin aging. BEACON: No animal testing and vegan. The company plants one tree for each product sold through its Forests For the Future program.

SHINE: LATHER Citrus Lip Balm SPF 15 and Unscented Lip Balm SPF 15. BEAUTY: Hydrate and heal chapped lips with avobenzone, vitamin E, sunflower and hemp seed oils, and aloe vera extract. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of sulfates and parabens. 

SHINE: Refineé Daily Defense Cream SPF 30. BEAUTY: Titanium dioxide, aloe vera leaf juice powder and vitamin E help nourish your skin and prevent sun damage. BEACON: No animal testing. Contains no parabens.

SHINE: Yonka Paris Solar Care Sunscreen Cream SPF 50. BEAUTY: Minimize overexposure to the sun, while you deeply moisturize your face and sensitive areas of your body with oxybenzone, apricot kernel oil, vitamins B5 and E, and green tea, white tea and rooibos leaf extracts. BEACON: No animal testing. Contains no parabens.