Latest news with #Sunscreen


Winnipeg Free Press
07-07-2025
- Health
- Winnipeg Free Press
Don't get burned when having too much fun in the sun
There's nothing better than feeling that first hit of heat on your skin after enduring a long, cold winter. Along with vastly improving our disposition, the sun also plays an important role in physical health. As rays hit our body, receptor cells in our skin convert sunlight into vitamin D, which helps bodies regulate calcium and phosphate, the two essential nutrients that keep teeth, bones and muscles healthy. But too much sunshine isn't good for us either. Ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage the skin, causing it to burn. This increases the risk of melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer. Even with a hat and umbrella at your disposal, using sunscreen goes a long way in preventing sunburn and reducing the risk of skin cancer. (David Goldman / The Associated Press files) It's a tricky balance getting sunlight for the body to generate its own vitamin D while trying to avoid getting burned, which is where sunscreen comes in. But which one to buy? The ones packaged in glossy tubes? Or maybe sticks, similar to deodorant, might be better? Classic lotions are great for the home but not so much when travelling. And can a spray guarantee even coverage? Method of delivery isn't the only thing to consider — decoding labels is a challenge in itself. While most are aware that SPF means Sun Protection Factor, do we all understand what the numbers next to it denote? And what's the difference between UVA and UVB rays? Is broad spectrum the way to go? And does mineral work better than chemical or is it the other way round? (See sidebar) You also have to figure out what it feels like on skin. Is it oily? Greasy? Does it make you look like you've taken a dip in a vat of lard or does it leave you with an ashen pallor, that dreaded white cast that haunts those blessed with an excess of melanin? Do you smell like you've been doused in chemicals or is it so perfumed it makes you choke? As ever, we are here to help. The Free Press team tested five brands of sunscreen to figure out what we like best. SPF 50, $15.49 for 89 ml Blue Lizard Kids Mineral Sunscreen Lotion They say: Formulated with Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide, which offers both UVA and UVB protection. It's also a fragrance-free, paraben-free and phthalates-free formula. But does it live up to the hype? We say: This tube sunscreen has a great consistency — not too thick, not too runny and it was easy to apply without much stickiness. It does take a bit of work to really rub it into the skin, but that's actually a good thing because you can easily see where you've applied and spots you've missed. Once it absorbs, it's totally matte. I put this sunscreen through the ringer with my 22-month-old; two hours at the zoo, a pool afternoon and a sweaty trip to the park. I reapplied as directed — the label states one application gives 80 minutes of protection — and despite being very fair-skinned, my little guy didn't burn at all (note: he was also wearing a hat at all times). The sunscreen was applied to his face and body, and his skin showed no signs of irritation. This brand also has a 'baby' formulation, the only difference being the one for kids is marketed as slightly more water- and sweat-resistant. As mentioned, he was in a pool for an hour or more and it seemed to stand up to the water just fine. I will definitely continue using this product throughout the summer. The only con is the price; at around $15.50 for an 89 ml tube, it's a bit steep. ★★★★ out of five — Erin Lebar SPF 50, $22.99 for 42 g Aveeno Protect + Soothe Mineral Sunscreen Stick for Sensitive Skin They say: Aveno Protect + Soothe Mineral Sunscreen Stick is designed for easy application, even on the go. It's formulated with friendly ingredients for sensitive skin, such as naturally sourced Zinc Oxide and pure oat essence. But does it live up to the hype? We say: This broad spectrum stick is pretty good. The mechanics of it are exactly like deodorant — pull cap, twist knob, slide on — except you're putting it all over your body. I generally prefer an aerosol if I need more full-body coverage — i.e. in a bathing suit — but this is a really good option to have in your bag because it can't leak. This paraben- and phthalates- free formula glides on easily, especially after it has been warmed by your skin, and has a barely-there scent the way most 'fragrance free' items do, which is almost a drawback because I like the smell of sunscreen. The Zinc Oxide leaves a slight white cast which allows you to see missed spots and absorbs easily when rubbed in a bit. Dries clear: not shiny and, crucially, not sticky, so you won't have to experience a sensory nightmare putting clothes over top of it. (Just me?) It makes your skin feel soft and moisturized. Must be that 'pure oat essence.' It's also water resistant for 80 minutes. I didn't wear it in the water, but I wore it on the water during an hour-long boat tour last summer and didn't burn. As with all sunscreen, you have to make sure you're wearing more than you think you need. I originally bought this for travel because, top tip: much like non-gel stick deodorant, stick sunscreen is not considered a liquid (it's measured in grams) and therefore does not have to be Tetrised into your clear, one-litre liquids bag in order to ride in your carry-on luggage. Of course, you are at the whims of any given security personnel, but it's been no trouble for me. ★★★★ out of five — Jen Zoratti SPF 4011, $49 for 50 ml Vasanti Sun's Up! Tinted Mineral Sunscreen They say: This 100 per cent mineral sunscreen for the face promises broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection to protect and combat against sun damage, as well as target and fade dark spots over time. But does it live up to the hype? We say: Sunscreen and I are not friends. There are countless lotions around purporting to leave no white cast but it's not true. I have tried so many to no avail. Both chemical and mineral formulations stain my skin a ghostly white and no amount of rubbing in helps. So imagine my delight when I spotted this dinky little tube online by Canadian-owned cosmetics and skincare brand Vasanti, whose products are created for those with diverse skin tones. Mineral sunscreens are infamous for making everyone, not just those of us blessed with brown skin, look chalky, but this number did nothing of the sort. Much to my initial alarm, the cream is tinted at least five shades lighter than my skin. However, it requires hardly any rubbing in and sinks in beautifully to my moisturized face. It feels rich but not heavy, and my face felt protected when out and about. In fact, I can't find anything wrong with it other than its eye-watering price tag. At $49 for such a tiny amount this isn't the most wallet-friendly option. Best I start saving up now in case they're thinking of making a version for the whole body. I would've give this five stars but for the price. ★★★★ 1/2 stars out of five — AV Kitching SPF 30, $20.99 for 141 g Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist They say: A non-greasy spray available in SPFs 30, 45 and 60, this is an effective broad-spectrum protection spray against sun's aging UVA and burning UVB rays, in an ultra-light, non-greasy finish. But does it live up to the hype? We say: This sunscreen is a dream to apply. The mist feels refreshingly cool on a hot day and the nozzle angle creates good coverage, making application simple and speedy. There is some inevitable product waste due to overspray. I've used this and other spray sunscreens in the past and find the canisters run out much faster than their cream counterparts. The 'ultra sheer' in the name is apt. It's very lightweight to the point of being imperceptible. This screen goes on clear and dries quickly to a light matte shimmer. There's also no offensively tropical or even notable aroma. Despite the light touch, this spray is effective. I've had minor redness from missed spots (the clear application can make it hard to see), but no major burns while wearing Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist. ★★★★ out of five — Eva Wasney SPF 30, $15 for 177 ml Sun Bum Original Sunscreen Lotion They say: This moisturizing sunscreen formula will protect your skin from harmful UVA/UVB rays while enriching your skin with Vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps to neutralize free radicals, which are the main cause of premature skin aging. Broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection, hypoallergenic, oxybenzone and octinoxate free, cruelty free, vegan, oil free, paraben free, gluten free, PABA free, water resistant (80 minutes). But does it live up to the hype? We say: I always go for a lotion as as I've been burned (literally) before by sprays, whose application feels dodgy to me. This is quite a creamy, thick forumla that looks as if it's going to take forever to soak in, but it actually goes on very smoothly, absorbs well and leaves your skin with a nice glow — not entirely matte, but not greasy (an improvement on my usual Hawaiian Tropic, which has faint sparkles, so you look like Edward in Twilight). It has a mild but very pleasant banana scent; the company actually makes an air freshener for fans of the fragrance. I am prone to burning, especially on my chest. I wore this all day at the beach (about six hours in the sun, reapplied once after swimming) and not a hint of a burn, not even on my nose, which often gets red. It's more expensive than what I usually buy, but you get what you pay for in this case. I will be trying the face formula, as I really like the texture and smell. Note: When they say not to apply near your eyes, they are not joking. I did sweat some off into my eye and it watered for the entire day and was visibly irritated — but that's on me. ★★★★ 1/2 out of five — Jill Wilson AV KitchingReporter AV Kitching is an arts and life writer at the Free Press. She has been a journalist for more than two decades and has worked across three continents writing about people, travel, food, and fashion. Read more about AV. Every piece of reporting AV produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. 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Otago Daily Times
12-06-2025
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Study reveals which sunscreens don't meet SPF claims
A new study has found more than half of sunscreens tested didn't reach their SPF claims, including one marked SPF50+ that only clocks an SPF of 4. Australian consumer group Choice took a close look at household sunscreens, including many available in New Zealand, and found that 16 out of the 20 tested didn't meet the mark. While most still provided moderate or high SPF protection, one product – Ultra Violette Lean Screen SPF50+ Mattifying Zinc Sunscreen – only returned an SPF of 4. Choice tested the sunscreen again at a second lab to confirm this result and got a similar low SPF of 5. This sunscreen is sold in New Zealand for $58. After testing, Choice contacted manufacturers of the sunscreens with their results. Ultra Violette suggested that "human error" or a "mix-up of samples" was a "highly probable scenario", Choice reported on their website. The manufacturer also said that, given the levels of zinc oxide in its Lean Screen sunscreen, an SPF of 4 was scientifically impossible. "We are deeply committed to the health and safety of our customers, rigorously retesting our entire SPF range every two years," Ultra Violette said in a statement to Choice. "Lean Screen has been on the market for five years in 29 countries and we have not received a single substantiated claim of sunburn during use – reinforcing our confidence in the testing we have. If the Choice results were at all feasible, we would have had hundreds of cases of reported sunburn and skin damage while using this product in real life situations." Consumer NZ research and test writer Belinda Castles says the results are worrying given these companies' lack of transparency about when and where their products are tested. 'Sunscreens sold in New Zealand are now regulated under the Sunscreen (Product Safety Standard) Act 2022 and must meet the Australian and New Zealand sunscreen standard, which has requirements for independent testing," Castles said in a statement releasing the new data on Thursday. "However, when we updated our sunscreens database last year, the companies that market Banana Boat, Bondi Sands, Neutrogena, Nivea and Sun Bum refused to provide this information.' Consumer NZ ran a sunscreen testing programme until 2022. Castles says they had been campaigning for companies to regularly test products to ensure they continue to meet their label claims. 'Our sunscreen research found some companies were relying on test results that are several years old. The latest Choice tests back our call.' Invisible Zinc Face + Body Mineral Sunscreen SPF50+ tested at 38 in the Australian test. The company told Consumer NZ this product was last tested in 2017. Woolworths Sunscreen SPF50+ Everyday Lotion tested at 27 in the Australian test. The company told Consumer this product was last tested in 2018. The latest Choice test found Nivea Sun Protect & Moisture Lock SPF50+ and Sun Bum Premium Moisturising Sunscreen Lotion SPF50+ both tested at SPF40. Consumer's 2021 tests of both these sunscreens also got SPF results in the 40s. SPF is a measure of how effective sunscreen is at protecting your skin from UVB rays. If it takes five minutes of sun exposure for your skin to start burning, applying an SPF 50 sunscreen protects you for 50 times that amount of time – in this case 250 minutes. Sunscreen with an SPF of 30 would protect you – ideally – for 180 minutes. Products tested available in New Zealand SPF results in 50+ La Roche-Posay Anthelios Wet Skin Sunscreen SPF 50+ – tested at 72 Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Lotion SPF 50 – tested at 56 Mecca Cosmetica To Save Body SPF 50+ Hydrating Sunscreen – tested at 51 SPF results in the 40s Nivea Sun Kids Ultra Protect and Play Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+ – tested at 41 Nivea Sun Protect and Moisture Lock SPF 50+ Sunscreen – tested at 40 Sun Bum Premium Moisturising Sunscreen Lotion 50+ – tested at 40 SPF results in the 30s Banana Boat Sport Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+ – tested at 35 Bondi Sands SPF 50+ Fragrance Free Sunscreen – tested at 32 Invisible Zinc Face + Body Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 – tested at 38 SPF results in the 20s Banana Boat Baby Zinc Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+ – tested at 28 Bondi Sands SPF 50+ Zinc Mineral Body Lotion – tested at 26 Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Dry-Touch Lotion SPF 50 – tested at 24 Woolworths Sunscreen Everyday Tube SPF 50+ – tested at 27 SPF results <10 Ultra Violette's Lean Screen SPF 50+ Mattifying Zinc Skinscreen – tested at 4
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Amazon Quietly Dropped These 15 Early Memorial Day Beauty Deals — Starting at $8
For most of Us, Memorial Day is a time to spend with family, remember loved ones and enjoy warm-weather festivities — but that doesn't mean we should be missing out on the sales. And beauty lovers, rejoice! Amazon is coming to the rescue by dropping early deals on our favorite vanity staples. Whether you just need to stock up on your favorites or want to do a full summer beauty overhaul, now's the time for a refresh. Score everything from trendy TikTok finds to Amazon bestsellers that are wildly marked down across all categories, including skincare, haircare, makeup and more. From 26% off the Revlon One-Step Volumizer to 20% off this celeb-loved sunscreen, these deals will have you saving enough for an extra product or two. Keep scrolling to shop our top 15 early Memorial Day picks — starting at just $8. 1. Our Favorite: From Kyle Richards to Hailey Bieber, celebrities depend on the EltaMD Face Sunscreen that's also an Amazon top-seller — was $44, now $35! 2. Anti-Aging Secret: Keep wrinkles at bay, even in the summer sun, with the RoC Retinol Correxion Night Serum Capsules that Sarah Jessica Parker is a fan of — was $33, now $22! 3. Hydration Hit: Jennifer Garner has endorsed the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel, which is an essential for dry summer skin — was $27, now $17! 16 Celebrities Fighting Wrinkles — And How They're Doing It 4. Excellent Exfoliation: Make your skin look glowier than ever with the Paula's Choice 2% BHA Salicylic Acid Exfoliant that more than 60,000 Amazon shoppers bought last month — was $35, now $28! 5. Very Viral: The Medicube Collagen Peel Off Facial Mask has gone totally viral on TikTok for revealing Korean glass skin post-use — was $19, now $15! 6. Zit Zapper: Make breakouts go away overnight with these bestselling Daolyo Pimple Patches that are now 42% off — was $13, now $8! 7. Must-Have Mask: Forget dark eye circles after a late night. These hydrating Grace & Stella Under Eye Masks are perfect for both travel and everyday — was $29, now $22! Run, Don't Walk — Everything From Jennifer Aniston-Loved Skincare Brand Tatcha Is 20% Off 8. Our Favorite: Yep, the top-rated Revlon One-Step Volumizer is back on sale for up to 26% off — was $40, now $30! 9. Frizz Be Gone: Let this be the summer you keep flyaways at bay with the IGK Crybaby Anti-Frizz Serum — was $32, now $26! 10. Summer Slick Back: When hot days roll around, reach for the Samnyte Hair Wax Stick to help perfect sleek slicked-back buns — was $10, now $8! 11. Do the Dry Shampoo: An absolute summer hair must is this Batiste Dry Shampoo that can soak up all the sweat, oils and grease — was $12, now $10! 12. Our Favorite: Give your lashes some length with the Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara that doesn't flake or smudge — was $13, now $8! 13. Palette Perfection: Streamline your summer makeup routine with this Laura Geller Palette that Kyle Richards is also a fan of — was $47, now $38! 14. Conceal and Correct: A concealer and corrector all in one, the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Treatment "wakes up" your face in seconds — was $11, now $9! 15. Stunning Self Tan: Get your golden glow on with the Beauty by Earth Self Tanner that leaves a streak-free application — was $36, now $29! This $5 Lash-Thickening Mascara Is a 'Hidden Gem,' According to Over 200K Amazon Shoppers Us Weekly and Yahoo have affiliate partnerships. We receive compensation when you click on a link and make a purchase. Learn more!


CBS News
11-05-2025
- Health
- CBS News
National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention offers tips on protecting skin ahead of "Don't Fry Day"
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month and a nonprofit organization is offering tips on protecting your skin from the sun. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. The good news is that about 90% of skin cancers are preventable. The National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention designates the Friday before Memorial Day as "Don't Fry Day" to encourage sun safety at the start of summer. Renata Block, a Chicago-based and board-certified physician assistant specializing in dermatology, is part of the Don't Fry Day committee. She details what makes someone more susceptible to skin cancer. "Typically, if you have fair skin, you're going to have an increased risk," Block said. "If you have a family history, you're going to have an increased risk in regards to that genetic component. However, I have to say that everybody is at risk of developing a skin cancer. It does not discriminate in age, race, or gender. So, bottom line is you have to make sure that you protect yourself, but I also want to add, if you have a low immune system. Obviously, you're going to be at a greater risk as well." She says there is no water-resistant sunscreen, so it's important to reapply every one to two hours, no matter which sunscreen you choose. Additional tips to protect skin from the sun include never intentionally tan, apply sunscreen daily, wear sun protective clothing, and if possible, seek shade, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Don't Fry Day is May 23. More information can be found on the organization's Instagram and Facebook accounts.


India.com
24-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- India.com
Tinted Sunscreen: Your Two-in-One Skincare Savior
Zee Media Bureau Apr 24, 2025 Quench Daily Defense Tinted Sunscreen offers protection and glowing skin with a satin-matte finish and blue light protection. Order Now Pilgrim Korean White Lotus Tinted Sunscreen offers seamless broad-spectrum protection and nourishment for all skin types. Order Now Moha Tinted Sunscreen Gel offers protection and illumination with Manjishtha and Sariva. Order Now Just Herbs Tinted Serum Sunscreen provides broad-spectrum protection and nourishment. Order Now Dot & Key Sunscreen offers broad-spectrum protection, a water-resistant formula for all skin types and tones. Order Now At IDPL, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. It should not be construed as an endorsement to buy. IDPL may make a very small commission from its sale if one chooses to buy the product from any of the links in this webstory. Read Next Story