Sunscreen For Hair and Nails
How to Protect Yourself From the Sun From Head to Toe
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Since my early teens, I have become increasingly wary of the sun's ultraviolet rays and I pride myself on being careful to protect myself from both skin cancer and premature signs of aging. I was recently bragging to a friend about my wonderful skin care habits when he pointed out something that hadn't occurred to me: my sunscreen application was pointless if I wasn't reapplying it after two hours. Between the time I apply it in the morning and the time I break for lunch, the SPF has worn off. This made me wonder what other risky sun mistakes we all might be making without realizing it. After doing some research, I will never be caught with any part of my body unprotected again. Read on to find out how to use SPF from head to toe all Summer long.
Hair
Ever notice how dry and crisp your hair gets at the end of Summer? That's because the sun and heat can fry your hair, and if it's color-treated, the sun can also change the hue of your hair. To prevent your hair from becoming dry and off-color, use a product with UV protection like Alterna Haircare Bamboo Beach BB Beauty Balm ($22). It fights frizz and smells like mango and coconuts!
Eyes
According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, exposure to sun can contribute to "vision loss and conditions from cataracts and macular degeneration to eye and eyelid cancers." Luckily, you can combat those scary problems by wearing eye creams with SPF as well as sunglasses with UV protection. The Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Circle Perfector With SPF 30 ($38) diminishes under-eye circles and contains caffeine to combat puffy eyes.
Lips
The skin on your lips is so thin that it burns very easily. Over time, sunburned lips can result in wrinkles and loss of collagen. Luckily, there are a plethora of lip balms on the market that include SPF. Supergoop Shine On Lip Screen SPF 50 With Grape Polyphenols ($22) is water-resistant and works on top of your favorite lip colors in place of your usually sun-magnifying glosses.
Face
If you're not already applying sunscreen every day on your face, start now. Wearing SPF is the number one thing you can do for your skin. It prevents cancer and signs of aging and is an easy way to invest in your long-term glowing complexion. There are many nongreasy formulas on the market with great benefits. The Tatcha Silken Pore Perfecting Suncreen Broad Spectrum SPF 35 ($68) acts both as a sunscreen and a primer, creating a smooth base for your makeup.
Over Makeup
As the day goes on, you can reapply sunscreen with a powder formula. The Colorscience Sunforgettable Mineral Sunscreen Brush SPF 30 ($57) goes over your makeup without smearing it like a lotion would and is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. Problem solved! Your beautiful face will be protected all day long.
Hands
You know all of those gel manis you've been getting? The UV lamp used during your manicure uses the same UV rays that damage your skin, and your hands are one of the first places to show signs of aging. Make sure you slather your hands in SPF before putting your them under that lamp. Try a hand cream like Deborah Lippmann Rich Girl Hand Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 25 ($28) for a moisturizing alternative to sunscreen.
Nails
The sun can have a fading effect on the color of your nail polish. To keep your nails as vibrant as when they were first painted, use a UV topcoat like Londontown's UV-Resistant Topcoat ($18).
Body
Don't forget about your body! The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends that everyone wear at least SPF 15 daily and SPF 30 if you're going to be exposed to sun for an extended period of time. You should be using two tablespoons for your entire body and reapplying every two hours. This Coola Sport SPF 50 Guava Mango Sunscreen Spray ($36) smells delicious and contains antiaging antioxidants.
