Winter Sun Protection

Brrrrr... it's chilly in many parts of the country. However, the debate over our ability to follow through on our New Year's resolutions heats up. A whopping 80 percent of people who vow to change or improve some aspect of their lives on January 1 typically fall off the wagon by Valentine’s Day, say researchers.


I've decided I'm going to make good on my promise, which is to wear sunscreen year-round. After considering the bad news/good news, who wouldn't? It doesn't matter if it's winter, spring, summer or fall, ultraviolet radiation damage often leads to skin cancer, hyperpigmentation and/or premature aging. On the upside, daily use of sunscreen helps shield the skin and important proteins, such as collagen, elastin and keratin, which keep it smooth and firm. 


I'm loving the idea of applying sunscreen year-round--by Valentine's Day and beyond. Check out the latest SPF formulations for your face and décolleté.

SHINE: Bioelements SPF 50 FaceScreen. BEAUTY: Formulated as a moisturizer to help safeguard against wrinkles, loss of elasticity and pigmented brown spots with titanium dioxide, aloe leaf juice, chamomile flower extract and Chinese herbs (including dong quai root extract). BEACON: No animal testing. Also free of synthetic colorants and fragrances, and packaged in glass for maximum freshness and recyclability.  

SHINE: DermaQuest Skin Therapy ZinClear SPF 30 Tinted. BEAUTY: This sunscreen soothes and heals using zinc oxide, and vitamins C and E with tinted coverage that warms lighter skin tones and compliments darker ones. BEACON: No animal testing. Also contains no parabens.

SHINE: iS Clinical by Innovative Skincare SPF 20 Powder Sunscreen (Translucent). BEAUTY: This formulation contains micronized zinc oxide and transparent titanium dioxide to provide UVA/UVB protection, and uses a self-dispensing brush applicator. BEACON: Supports National Breast Cancer Coalition and Stars For Stripes.

SHINE: Luzern Laboratories La Défense SPF 30. BEAUTY: Zinc oxide, and aloe and green tea extracts protect skin from damaging UV rays, as well as minimize premature aging, reduced elasticity and dark spots. BEACON: No animal testing and vegan. Also free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, dyes, glycols and petrochemicals.

SHINE: Smart Girls Who Surf SPF 30+ Organic Sunscreen Face Stick. BEAUTY: Provides UVA/UVB protection with sunflower, aloe and avocado oils, vitamin E, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and green tea and rosemary extracts. BEACON: No animal testing. Also contains no parabens or synthetic fragrances.

Travel-Size Skincare Fix

Have you booked your summer vacay yet? If you're planning a trip this month, there's a good chance you'll be boarding a flight to the enchanted land of mouse ears and make-believe--Walt Disney World Resort.

Orlando tops the list as the most booked summer travel destination in 2011,

according to Orbiz.com. If theme parks cramp your style, consider Vegas, Seattle, Los Angeles, Denver, New York City, San Francisco, Chicago, Cancun and Boston--which round out the top 10 vacation cities in order of popularity. 

Whether you plan to go camping, clubbing or catamaraning, don't forget to pack your skin care. Check out the following suitcase-friendly, mini must-haves.

BEAUTY: Tote tiny treasures on your trip with B. Kamins, Chemist Dry to Normal Skin Starter Kit (Day Cream SPF 15, Vegetable Skin Cleanser, Night Cream and Eye Cream). BEACON: No animal testing.

BEAUTY: Pack your flip-flops alongside flight-friendly sizes with Bioelements Travel Light Kit for Combination Skin (Decongestant Cleanser, Equalizer, Pumice Peel, Absolute Moisture and Oil Control Sleepwear). BEACON: No animal testing. Also contains no artificial colorants or synthetic fragrances.

BEAUTY: Get your glow-on-the-go with Luzern Laboratories Organic Trip Kit (Purifying Cleansing Gelée, Vita O2 Hydra-Refining Mist, Force De Vie Créme Luxe, Serum Absolut, Pure Molecular Oxygen Treatment Mask and La Défense SPF 30). BEACON: Contains no parabens, petrochemicals, formaldehyde, synthetic preservatives or fragrances.

BEAUTY: R&R stands for revitalize and refresh with Sanítas Normal Skin System Kit (Glycolic Citrus Cleanser, Moisturizing Cleanser, Glycotoner 5%, Moisture Mist, Vita-Rich Serum and Topical C). BEACON: Supports the Cinderella Foundation. 

BEAUTY: No need to suffer breakouts during your summer break with sukí To-Go Complete Care For Clear Skin Kit (Sensitive Cleansing Bar, Transformative Cleansing Clay, Concentrated Balancing Toner and Pure Facial Moisture-Balancing). Also includes free samples of Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser and Balancing Day Lotion (not pictured below). BEACON: Cruelty free. Also supports fair trade, biodynamic processing and local sourcing.

BEAUTY: Travel light but promote potent skin renewal with Weleda Pomegranate Regenerating Body Care Kit (Regenerating Body Oil, Regenerating Hand Cream and Creamy Body Wash). BEACON: Contains no synthetic fragrances, colorants, preservatives or raw materials derived from mineral oils. Also supports Conservation International.