Fun in the Sun

With the alarming numbers of skin cancers being diagnosed around the world, it is increasingly evident that everyone, regardless of age or race, needs protection from ultraviolet radiation.

Overexposure to sunlight is the underlying cause for harmful effects on the skin. Skin cancer can be prevented, as UV damage is mostly avoidable by using sunscreen on the skin and wearing protective clothing such as a hat and sunglasses. The sun’s UV rays are strongest between 10am and 4pm, therefore sunbathing should be avoided during this time. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 15+ liberally and re-apply every two hours, or after working out, swimming or playing outdoors.

Protection should begin as soon as a baby is born and continue throughout life. Babies and children should be kept out of direct sun light and should wear sun protective clothing. While most sunscreen can be used on infants, it is better to only use a sunblock with zinc and/or titanium dioxide. Apply the sunblock only on exposed skin such as hands and face and only when exposure is unavoidable.

Adolescents can be more difficult to convince to use sun protection, but it is equally important that they do. They should begin to check their skin for changes and colour of any moles or freckles. While skin cancers are still unusual in teenagers, more and more are being diagnosed. UV protection should be encouraged to everyone. Do not allow your teenagers to use tanning beds. Self-tanning lotions or spray-on tans at a salon may help a teen who wants a little colour to achieve that safely.

Adults should use UV protection daily. Skin cancers can be triggered at any time, and damaged skin from childhood exposure may be more vulnerable. Further, some damage can be reversed by using sun protection. Adults should routinely check their skin for changes and irregular shapes of moles or skin lesions.

Good to Try

Eve Taylor Solar Shield (50ml)

This is a broad spectrum moisturising solar shield with UVA, UVB and infra-red screening. A moisture rich blend of sunflower and cocoa butter, hyaluronic acid and natural silicones to seal in moisture and maintain elasticity; provide barrier support against daily irritants and free radicals.

Solar Shield provides UV protection from daily sun exposure that can trigger cell damage and visible signs of aging. Combining UVA and UVB protection filters with natural plant extracts to help defend and nourish skin.

Directions for use: Apply Solar Shield daily over moisturiser at least 15-20 minutes before sun exposure. Reapply as needed.

In a Perfume Bottle

We have promised you in an earlier post that we will talk in more in depth on how temperatures can affect fragrances and hence why you should consider changing your perfume in the Summer. Read on to find out how best to handle your perfume bottle. 

Perfume is one of life's pleasures. If selected well and worn moderately, it definitely lends itself to creating an aura of both beauty and wellbeing for the wearer, whist at the same time pleasing the senses of those around. Perfumes, if stored correctly, can retain their unique quality for years. So what is the main enemy of perfume? – Temperature. Too much heat will affect the perfume negatively.

Temperature can affect not only the fragrance of the perfume, but also the colour of the precious liquid. Perfumes are manufactured in many colours including clear, gold and brown colours and this colouration is determined by the natural or synthetic ingredients used to make the fragrance. Heat can change the colour of a perfume making the colour darker, and often cloudy or opaque.

When it comes to the affects of heat on the fragrance, this can be more noticeable, especially if you bought the fragrance because you love the smell. Like the colour of a fragrance, the “scent” is also volatile, and can be subjected to change with heat. Excessive heat can change the “top notes” of a fragrance, these are the initial notes that are perceived in the moment that the fragrance is sprayed. The affects can range from make the notes sharper, more sour, or less recognizable to being none existent with extreme heat exposure. Finally excessive heat can often make a fragrance smell musty.

The two factors of heat that have a directly effect on perfume are the ambient temperature around the fragrance and of cause sunlight. Your precious fragrances should never be stored in excessively warm environments so bathrooms are a no-go, or be exposed to places with direct sunlight as this, for sure, will mean that your favourite perfume will disappoint you, and possibly those around you too.

Skin type has a direct effect on a fragrance. Natural moisture in the skin will help to retain the fragrance for longer, so people with dry skin will find that fragrances will not tend to last as long as those with more moist skin,  which is often the case in the summer as our skin becomes drier due to the rise in temperatures.

For men in SUMMER you might like to bear in mind that heat intensifies any fragrance and already heavy fragrances are often stronger in the summer. For this reason try lighter fragrances with more grassy or citrus notes as they work best in the summer, and heavier fragrances with musky or more woodsy notes, which are warmer, are better for the winter.