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.

Elizabeth Taylor Eyes

The world not only lost a beauty icon and film legend when Elizabeth Taylor passed away last week, but a true humanitarian. As a tireless AIDS activist, the two-time Academy Award-winning actress raised millions for The Foundation for AIDS Research and The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.

Taylor's flawless beauty also endures. She possessed a nearly perfect complexion, along with dramatic brows and one-of-a-kind violet eyes. A genetic mutation gave her two rows of lashes, which only enhanced the mesmerizing effect of her eyes. 


With a nostalgic nod to Taylor's best beauty asset, the following products help to maximize the look of eyes, lashes and brows: 

BEAUTY: glo.minerals gloEye Shadow and glo.therapeutics Vital Eye Cream. BEACON: Mineral formulations are talc-free, non-comedogenic and free of perfumes and chemical dyes. Also contains no parabens or gluten-derived ingredients.

BEAUTY: Bioelements All Things Pure Eye Oil. BEACON: Natural Products Association Certified. Contains no artificial colorants or synthetic fragrances, and no animal testing. Also packaged in glass for maximum freshness and recyclability. 

BEAUTY: RapidLash Eyelash Enhancing Serum. BEACON: Paraben and fragrance free.

BEAUTY: iS Clinical Eye Youth Complex. BEACON: Supports Stars For Stripes, a group that provides celebrity entertainment tours for military personnel.

BEAUTY: RevitaLash Volumizing Mascara and RevitaBrow Eyebrow Conditioner. BEACON: Supports Relay For Life and Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

BEAUTY: Jane Iredale Professional Faux Lashes and Mystikol Powdered Eyeliner/Highlighter (Citrine and Aquamarine). BEACON: Supports Living Beyond Breast Cancer and platinum sponsor of Teens For Safe Cosmetics Green Spa events.

BEAUTY: Refineé Anti-Puff Brightening Eye Gel. BEACON: Works with the Noreen Fraser Foundation. Also supports Look Good... Feel Better.

BEAUTY: B. Kamins Laboratories Eyelash Fortifier. BEACON: Contributes to Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation and PJs For the Cure, which raises money for juvenile diabetes research.

BEAUTY: Skyn Iceland Icelandic Relief Eye Pen. BEACON: Cruelty free and vegan certification. Also supports Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and Gilda’s Club.