PC Skincare

30 BEST DRUGSTORE PRODUCTS!

2010-02-12T03:45:00.000-08:00

Of course we think Paula’s Choice is one of your absolute best options, but for those who like shopping for personal care products at the drugstore we have great suggestions for you. With so many skin care, hair care, and makeup products vying for your attention (and dollars), how do you ever determine which products are best? Let Paula and her Cosmetics Cop team show you their top picks so you can start the New Year with a smart new look!

10 Best Drugstore Skin-Care Products
10 Best Drugstore Makeup Products
10 Best Hair-Care Products

10 Best Drugstore Skin Care Products

Neutrogena One Step Gentle Cleanser ($7.49 for 5.2 ounces)

Notes: Very good gentle cleanser that feels silky and completely removes all makeup; often stocked with Neutrogena makeup, not their skin care.

Olay Foaming Face Wash for Sensitive Skin ($4.49 for 6.78 ounces)

Notes: Very good fragrance-free water soluble cleanser for all skin types.

Eurcerin Calming Body Wash Daily Shower Oil ($7.99 for 8.4 ounces)

Notes: An excellent moisturizing body wash for winter-dry skin or eczema. Fragrance-free.

Olay Quench Body Lotion Active Hydration Formula w/ Green Tea ($9.99 for 11.8 ounces)

Notes: Hands-down, one of the best body lotions anywhere due to its exemplary formula. It doesn’t leave skin greasy, either. Make sure you purchase the Green Tea formula, as it is the most state-of-the-art among the Quench moisturizers.

CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion ($12.99 for 12 ounces)

Notes: Another top body lotion owing to its sophisticated formula that’s fragrance-free and great for dry, sensitive skin.

Alpha Hydrox Oil-Free Formula ($11.99 for 1.7 ounces)

Notes: A fragrance-free, lightweight, pH-correct AHA product with 10% glycolic acid.

Olay Complete Ageless Skin Renewing UV Lotion SPF 20 ($24.99 for 2.5 ounces)

Notes: There are few state-of-the-art daytime moisturizers with sunscreen at the drugstore. Although pricey, this certainly qualifies as a brilliant formula that competes with considerably more expensive SPF-rated facial moisturizers from the department store.

Physicians Formula Sun Shield for Faces Extra Sensitive Skin SPF 25 ($8.95 for 4 ounces)

Notes: A gentle, mineral-based sunscreen that’s also fragrance-free. Great for rosacea-affected skin.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream, Night ($13.99 for 1.4 ounces)

Notes: A very good nighttime moisturizer with retinol and antioxidants. Also fragrance-free. And yes, this is still being made even though Neutrogena offers similar products on their Ageless line.

Stridex Power Pads ($6.99 for 28 pads)

Notes: One of the only benzoyl peroxide/anti-acne products at the drugstore that doesn’t contain needless irritants.

10 Best Drugstore Makeup Products

L’Oreal True Match Super Blendable Makeup SPF 17 ($10.95)

Notes: Beautiful liquid foundation with broad-spectrum sun protection and a great range of mostly neutral shades for fair to dark skin tones.

L’Oreal True Match Super Blendable Powder ($10.95)

Notes: Everything a great pressed powder should be, at a very reasonable price plus beautiful shades

Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Double Face Perfector ($7.09)

Notes: A long-wearing, crease-free liquid concealer on one end, subtle highlighter on the other. Ideal!

Cover Girl TruBlend Liquid Makeup ($9.39)

Notes: One of CG’s best foundations without sunscreen, it looks amazingly skin-like and lasts.

Revlon Cream Blush ($9.79)

Notes: An excellent cream-to-powder blush that gives skin a lit-from-within glow.

Physicians Formula Matte Collection Quad Eyeshadow ($6.75)

Notes: Smartly-coordinated sets with a smooth texture, good color payoff, and true matte finish.

Cover Girl Outlast Smoothwear All-Day Eyeliner ($6.99)

Notes: A very good eye pencil with impressive longevity. Doesn’t need sharpening.

Maybelline Define-A-Brow Eyebrow Pencil ($5.49)

Notes: No sharpening plus a smooth, soft application and flattering colors make this brow pencil a must-try.

Cover Girl Lash Blast Mascara or Lash Blast Length ($8.99)

Notes: Lash Blast in the orange tube gives ample thickness and length, while the one in the yellow tube provides less thickness but makes lashes inordinately long. Both are impressive.

Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick ($4.99)

Notes: An inexpensive creamy lipstick that provides rich color and a finish that’s not overly slippery. Great shades, too.

10 Best Drugstore Hair-Care Products

Aveeno Nourish + Volumize Shampoo ($6.99 for 10.5 ounces)

Notes: Great shampoo that’s nearly identical to Aveeno’s Nourish + Moisture Shampoo. Both are good for normal to dry hair that’s slightly coarse, curly, or thick.

Garnier Fructis Body Boost Fortifying Shampoo ($3.99 for 13 ounces)

Notes: Excellent shampoo for all hair types, but especially good for fine hair.

JASON Natural Fragrance Free Daily Shampoo ($9.79 for 16 ounces)

Notes: Although this contains a fragrant plant extract, the scent is subtle and doesn’t change the fact that this is a very good gentle shampoo for all hair types.

Garnier Sleek & Shine Leave-In Conditioning Cream ($3.99 for 10.2 ounces)

Notes: A standard, but good leave-in conditioner for dry hair that’s comparable to much costlier products from Kerastase (Garnier and Kerastatse are owned by L’Oreal).

TRESemme Instant Heat Tamer Styling Spray ($4.75 for 8 ounces)

Notes: Good lightweight, spray-on conditioner for those with fine or thin hair.

Pantene Nature Fusion Moisture Balance Conditioner ($4.99 for 12.6 ounces)

Notes: Every Pantene conditioner is great (and they’re all similar) but this one has a subtle scent that doesn’t overpower. Use sparingly on fine or thin hair, lavishly on thick, coarse hair.

L’Oreal Vive Pro Nutri Gloss Conditioner, for Medium to Long Hair That’s Curly/Wavy ($4.99 for 13 ounces)

Notes: Ignore the long/curly/wavy hair claim; this is a great conditioner for normal to dry hair of any thickness.

Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Anti-Humidity Hairspray, Ultra Strong ($3.99 for 8.25 ounces)

Notes: This won’t completely shield hair from humidity and its hold isn’t ultra strong, but it works great as a finishing spray for all hair types.

Pantene Curl Defining Spray Gel, Extra Strong Hold ($4.99 for 6.5 ounces)

Notes: A well-formulated styling spray for all hair types. Alcohol-free and loaded with helpful conditioning agents. Benefits curly or straight hair, especially if it is fine or thin.

Dove Frizz Control Therapy Taming Cream for Rebellious, Unmanageable Hair ($4.99 for 4 ounces)

Notes: A great styling/straightening cream that also works to tame frizzies and add shine. Versatile, but too thin for those with very thick or coarse hair, who’d do better with a silicone serum or pomade, of which there are plenty of good ones available.

Paula Who?

2010-01-11T03:39:00.000-08:00

I have only been a Paula's Choice Partner for a short time and the most frequent response I get is, 'I never heard of her products". So I decided to see what was out for consumers on the big wide world web. I was so pleased with what I found! It was like discovering there is this underground movement towards Paula's products. I found several web sites with reviews of her products and mostly, people were amazed that they had either not heard or seen the products before.

Check out these sites for the reviews. :
http://www.thebeautybrains.com/vanilla/comments.php?DiscussionID=8

http://www.skintypesolutions.com/forum/index.php?topic=2598.0

http://www.totalbeauty.com/reviews/brands/paulas-choice

If you have wondered about Paula's products, but are afraid of switching your current brand for fear of break-outs or increased drying, maybe these sites will give you a little more confidence about stepping out there and giving Paula's Choicea try. I have samples for most skin types in stick which means you don't have to order them on-line and wait. Just drop me an e-mail for a FREE three-day sample supply!

I understand how hard it is to believe that a product you've never heard of could actually be THE solution you've been looking for, but I hope after seeing some consumer reviews you'll give Paula's Choice a try. Remember, there are samples available for all skin types, most of which I have in stock. So, no ordering, no waiting, no charges!! Give me call or drop me an e-mail today!

WELCOME 2010 WITH BEAUTIFUL SKIN!

2010-01-01T07:00:00.000-08:00

BONUS BEAUTY BULLETIN!!

Problem: My lashes are falling out! Is there anything I can do to stop this from happening?

Solution: It is natural for lashes to shed and then regrow, but if you are noticing bald spots along your lash line, you may need to change some habits that might be making the condition worse. For example, don't wipe off eye makeup (or any makeup, for that matter) because wiping and pulling at the eyes can pull out lashes. Don't rub your eyes, even if they itch, especially when you are wearing mascara. Also, do not overuse mascara. I know it's tempting to have long, dramatically thick lashes, but the weight of the mascara (and what it takes to remove it later) can be too much for delicate lashes. Waterproof mascaras are the most difficult to remove and often take many lashes with them, so you might want to consider changing mascaras. It is unlikely that you are allergic to your mascara, but on the remote possibility that it may be the cause of the fallout, switch brands and see how that works.

By the way, you aren't using an eyelash curler are you? Over time, that consistent tugging can certainly pull out lashes. Another possibility is that non-cosmetic allergies could be playing a part in your eyelash dilemma. Your only recourse, if that turns out to be the cause, is to use antihistamines, or to eliminate from your environment the allergens causing the problem. For example, if you are allergic to the down in your pillows, use pillows with a synthetic fill. Hay fever can also cause the eye area to swell severely, damaging eyelashes, a problem that could be alleviated by using over-the-counter or prescription antihistamines.

Medically speaking, doctors refer to the loss of eyelashes as madarosis. According to ophthalmologist Dr. William Trattler, "While it may seem like mainly a cosmetic problem, the condition can be an indicator of something more serious, such as eye trauma, eyelid infections and even cancer of the eyelid. In addition, metabolic conditions such as hypothyroidism and pituitary insufficiency can cause madarosis" (Source: http://yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com/treatments-eyelash-loss.html).

It is also possible that the eyelash loss can be attributed to the presence of a mite called Demodex folliculorum. When it is active in small hair follicles and eyelash hair follicles it can consume epithelial cells, causing the hair follicle to become swollen, inflamed, and plugged. All of this can cause the eyelashes to fall out. Fortunately, this problem is easily treated once correctly diagnosed so consider seeing your dermatologist for an evaluation. (Source: eMedicine Journal, May 11, 2001, volume 2, number 5.)

If your loss of eyelash hair is chronic, you should see an eyelid specialist (called an oculoplastic surgeon) and have him carefully examine your eyelid to determine the cause of the madarosis.

Latisse, a prescription product from Allergan, has been proven to make eyelashes grow longer, thicker, and darker. It does this by means of a drug known as bimatoprost originally used for glaucoma. Use of this drug by glaucoma patients made it clear that one of its unexpected side effects was longer, thicker eyelashes. Topical application of a low dose of this drug (Latisse is applied once daily like a liquid eyeliner) has demonstrated impressive efficacy and safety, and was granted FDA approval in early 2009. Latisse isn't cheap (a 30-day supply costs $120) but you should see impressive results after 8-12 weeks of using it. Ongoing use is required to maintain results. Of course, don't ask your doctor for Latisse until you have been examined and other potential causes of eyelash loss have been ruled out or treated.

$$$ NUDE SKINCARE Intense Moisture Mask ($60 for 1.4 ounces). If you're keen on using a moisturizing mask for an occasional indulgence for dry, weather-beaten skin, this is a good one. It's exceptionally emollient and soothing thanks to its impressive blend of shea butter, fatty acids, and anti-irritants. A token amount of antioxidants are included to round out this overall intelligent formulation. The claims for this mask are, surprisingly, factual. However, keep in mind that how you care for your skin on a daily basis matters much more than what you do once per week. Note: This mask can be left on skin as long as necessary. If you have very dry skin not prone to breakouts, leaving this on overnight is recommended. Unlike most Nude Skincare products, this omits the fragrance chemicals known to cause irritation.

For the latest new product reviews, reference Beautypedia.com, the completely searchable, continually updated version of my book, Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me. It features over 40,000 detailed product reviews for only $24.95/year.

Bonus Beauty Bulletin!!

2010-01-01T06:16:00.000-08:00

Problem: My lashes are falling out! Is there anything I can do to stop this from happening?

Solution: It is natural for lashes to shed and then regrow, but if you are noticing bald spots along your lash line, you may need to change some habits that might be making the condition worse. For example, don't wipe off eye makeup (or any makeup, for that matter) because wiping and pulling at the eyes can pull out lashes. Don't rub your eyes, even if they itch, especially when you are wearing mascara. Also, do not overuse mascara. I know it's tempting to have long, dramatically thick lashes, but the weight of the mascara (and what it takes to remove it later) can be too much for delicate lashes. Waterproof mascaras are the most difficult to remove and often take many lashes with them, so you might want to consider changing mascaras. It is unlikely that you are allergic to your mascara, but on the remote possibility that it may be the cause of the fallout, switch brands and see how that works.

By the way, you aren't using an eyelash curler are you? Over time, that consistent tugging can certainly pull out lashes. Another possibility is that non-cosmetic allergies could be playing a part in your eyelash dilemma. Your only recourse, if that turns out to be the cause, is to use antihistamines, or to eliminate from your environment the allergens causing the problem. For example, if you are allergic to the down in your pillows, use pillows with a synthetic fill. Hay fever can also cause the eye area to swell severely, damaging eyelashes, a problem that could be alleviated by using over-the-counter or prescription antihistamines.

Medically speaking, doctors refer to the loss of eyelashes as madarosis. According to ophthalmologist Dr. William Trattler, "While it may seem like mainly a cosmetic problem, the condition can be an indicator of something more serious, such as eye trauma, eyelid infections and even cancer of the eyelid. In addition, metabolic conditions such as hypothyroidism and pituitary insufficiency can cause madarosis" (Source: http://yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com/treatments-eyelash-loss.html).

It is also possible that the eyelash loss can be attributed to the presence of a mite called Demodex folliculorum. When it is active in small hair follicles and eyelash hair follicles it can consume epithelial cells, causing the hair follicle to become swollen, inflamed, and plugged. All of this can cause the eyelashes to fall out. Fortunately, this problem is easily treated once correctly diagnosed so consider seeing your dermatologist for an evaluation. (Source: eMedicine Journal, May 11, 2001, volume 2, number 5.)

If your loss of eyelash hair is chronic, you should see an eyelid specialist (called an oculoplastic surgeon) and have him carefully examine your eyelid to determine the cause of the madarosis.

Latisse, a prescription product from Allergan, has been proven to make eyelashes grow longer, thicker, and darker. It does this by means of a drug known as bimatoprost originally used for glaucoma. Use of this drug by glaucoma patients made it clear that one of its unexpected side effects was longer, thicker eyelashes. Topical application of a low dose of this drug (Latisse is applied once daily like a liquid eyeliner) has demonstrated impressive efficacy and safety, and was granted FDA approval in early 2009. Latisse isn't cheap (a 30-day supply costs $120) but you should see impressive results after 8-12 weeks of using it. Ongoing use is required to maintain results. Of course, don't ask your doctor for Latisse until you have been examined and other potential causes of eyelash loss have been ruled out or treated.

$$$ NUDE SKINCARE Intense Moisture Mask ($60 for 1.4 ounces). If you're keen on using a moisturizing mask for an occasional indulgence for dry, weather-beaten skin, this is a good one. It's exceptionally emollient and soothing thanks to its impressive blend of shea butter, fatty acids, and anti-irritants. A token amount of antioxidants are included to round out this overall intelligent formulation. The claims for this mask are, surprisingly, factual. However, keep in mind that how you care for your skin on a daily basis matters much more than what you do once per week. Note: This mask can be left on skin as long as necessary. If you have very dry skin not prone to breakouts, leaving this on overnight is recommended. Unlike most Nude Skincare products, this omits the fragrance chemicals known to cause irritation.

For the latest new product reviews, reference Beautypedia.com, the completely searchable, continually updated version of my book, Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me. It features over 40,000 detailed product reviews for only $24.95/year.

2009-12-17T08:15:00.000-08:00

Sampling of New Reviews from Beautypedia.com!

Rimmel The Max Volume Flash Mascara ($7.29) is another remarkable mascara from Rimmel. Their latest lash offerings have been hit-or-miss, but this is a grand slam for those who want lush, thick, beautifully separated lashes. The large brush proves surprisingly nimble, and its bristles allow sufficient coating of lashes for dramatic results without clumping. Once set, this won’t smear or flake yet it removes with a basic water-soluble cleanser. The claims of 14 times more volume don’t come true, but this produces impressive results fast.

$$$ Pixi Flawless Beauty Primer ($28). This sheer, lightweight primer has a silky texture and pale, fleshy bronze tint that leaves a shimmer finish. The formula isn’t as elegant as many other primers, and in fact this doesn’t smooth over pores or wrinkles the way some can. It’s more of a moisturizer than a primer, though it works under makeup if you don’t mind shine peeking through. The third ingredient in this primer is a sunscreen active that can cause sensitivity when used near the eyes. If you decide to try this product, it is advisable to keep it away from the eye area.

Olay Definity Neck & Chest Daily Restoration Treatment ($25.99 for 1.7 ounces). If you’re going to create a specialty product to address skin on the neck and chest, it should at least contain a selection of ingredients that distinguish it from your other products. Olay didn’t do that. Instead, this Definity product contains niacinamide and silicone, just like almost all of their other serums and moisturizers. In many ways, the overall formula isn’t nearly as intriguing as many others from Olay Definity (or Regenerist, Total Effects, and Pro-X). The amount of niacinamide in this “treatment” can potentially help fade discolorations on the chest (and, based on women’s fashions, the chest is prime target for sun damage as we age) but Olay uses greater amounts in their facial care products, so what’s the big deal here? This isn’t worth purchasing over other Olay products, and those for the face can (and should) be used on the chest, too. Of course, even the best products aren’t going to improve sun-damaged skin if you’re not diligent about protecting it with a well-formulated sunscreen.

For $24.95 per year, Beautypedia members get the following benefits:

EXCITING NEWS!!!

2009-11-19T04:00:00.000-08:00

Paula will be giving a free presentation on skin care myths in the cosmetics industry. She is armed with the most current research from her latest editions of, The Original Beauty Bible and Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me and will be signing copies for attendees.

Thursday, December 3rd, 7:00pm-9:00pm
Barnes & Noble
Festival at Woodholme Shopping Center
1819 Reisterstown Road
Baltimore, MD 21208

What Every Skin Type Needs

2009-11-16T11:48:00.000-08:00

Regardless of the name on the label, and whether it’s a moisturizer, anti-wrinkle or anti-aging product, serum, treatment, or whatever clever term that appears in the ad copy, what all these products should contain are antioxidants, cell-communicating ingredients, and skin-identical ingredients. All skin types need these ingredients to be as healthy as possible. And I mean ALL SKIN TYPES! As long as the product you are using contains a selection of these types of ingredients you are going to be taking the best possible care of your skin when it comes to using a “moisturizer.” What about your skin type? The only thing that differentiates a “moisturizer” or anti-wrinkle product or anti-aging, treatment, serum, or other option for your skin type is the texture of the product. Gels and liquids are best for oily and combination skin, serums and light lotions are best for normal to slightly dry skin, and more emollient lotions and creams are best for dry to very dry skin. Texture is all about skin type—but the brilliant ingredients for healthy skin remain the same for everyone, regardless of product texture or personal preference.

Antioxidants
Free-radical damage is what antioxidants are supposed to take care of, either by stopping new damage, or by reversing earlier damage caused by free radicals. And antioxidants can potentially repair damage by allowing healthy cells to proliferate. An immense body of research continues to show that antioxidants are a potential panacea for skin’s ills, and ignoring their benefit while shopping for moisturizers (or any products with names like anti-aging or anti-wrinkle or treatment) means you’ll be shortchanging your skin. What makes antioxidants so intriguing is that they seem to have the ability to reduce or prevent some amount of the oxidative damage that destroys and depletes the skin’s normal, healthy function and structure while also preventing some of the degenerative effects in skin caused by sun exposure. Note that antioxidants are susceptible to deterioration by light and air, which means jar packaging for a product with antioxidants quickly negates their benefit.

Cell-Communicating Ingredients
Where antioxidants work by intervening in a chain-reaction process called free-radical damage, “grabbing” the loose-cannon molecule that cause free-radical damage to reduce its impact on skin, cell-communicating ingredients, theoretically, have the ability to tell a skin cell to look, act, and behave better, more like a normal healthy skin cell would, or to stop other substances from telling the cell to behave badly or abnormally. This is exciting news because antioxidants lack the ability to “tell” a damaged skin cell to behave more normally. The right cell–communicating ingredients can “talk” to damaged skin cells, telling them to repair themselves and begin producing healthier, undamaged cells.

Skin-Identical Ingredients
The term “skin-identical ingredients” refers to the substances between skin cells (technically referred to as the intercellular matrix) that keep skin cells connected and help maintain skin’s fundamental external structure. Think of your skin as consisting of bricks, with the mortar being the material that holds these bricks together. Skin cells are the bricks, and the mortar (cement) between them is made up of skin-identical ingredients. An intact, stable, healthy, and strong mortar structure is what allows skin to look smooth, soft, moist, supple, and young. It is of vital importance for all skin types to maintain or restore the skin’s mortar (intercellular matrix) to help skin fight off environmental stresses and most certainly look younger. These substances that keep skin intact are skin-identical ingredients. Just adding water alone can do nothing if the intercellular matrix is damaged. When a moisturizer contains a combination of skin-identical ingredients, it can help reinforce the skin’s natural ability to function normally, improve skin’s texture, fight environmental stress (sun, pollution, and more), and, along with antioxidants and cell-communicating ingredients, eliminate dry skin with regular use.

Your Personal SPF: Determining Your Number

2009-06-26T03:58:00.000-07:00

The Basics

Sun protection is an everyday must for anyone concerned with keeping their skin in top shape (and that includes avoiding wrinkles, brown discolorations, building collagen, keeping skin firm, and even preventing skin cancer). SPF 15 is the minimum rating to look for and higher is better for some skin colors and conditions; all sunscreens must be liberally applied; and UVA protection is critical.

UVA protection depends on the active ingredients in the product you are using so be sure one or more of these active ingredients are included: avobenzone (sometimes listed as butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane), titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, Mexoryl (ecamsule) or, outside the U.S., Tinosorb.

Decisions, Decisions

There are several important factors that influence how you choose and should apply a sunscreen:

How long you are going to be in the sun or sitting next to a window (UVA radiation, the sun's most damaging rays, come through windows). The longer you are going to be in the sun or exposed to UVA radiation via windows the higher the SPF number you need to look for.
Are you willing to apply your chosen sunscreen liberally? No matter what SPF rating you choose, you have to apply it liberally. If you aren't applying it liberally always go for a higher number to assure you are getting as much sunscreen ingredients on your skin as possible.
Will you be swimming or perspiring heavily? If so, go for sunscreens labeled water resistant or very water resistant. Be sure to reapply as directed, especially after toweling off.

You'll also want to take into consideration your skin type and whether or not you'll be wearing makeup.

Those with normal to dry skin should use sunscreens in a lotion or cream base.
Those with oily or combination skin should go for sunscreens formulated in a lightweight lotion with a matte finish, a liquid, or an alcohol-free gel base. Many spray-on sunscreens are excellent for oily skin.
If you're going to be wearing foundation, you can choose a foundation with sunscreen and pair it with a moisturizer with sunscreen and a pressed powder with sunscreen!

What's Your Rating?

Your ideal SPF number is a multiplication figure based on your skin color and the SPF number on the product.

Identify Your Skin Color:

	Level 1 skin is very fair and often freckled. It burns easily within about 20 minutes of direct sun exposure and never tans. This is common for people with blue eyes and blonde or red hair.		Level 2 skin is fair to light and often burns with about 30 minutes of direct sun exposure. Tanning may occur but is minimal. This is common in people with blue, green, or hazel eyes and red, blonde, or light brown hair.
	Level 3 skin is light to medium or olive and sometime burns with about 40 minutes of direct sun exposure. Tanning is possible, but typically sunburn happens first. This level can apply to those of any hair or eye color.		Level 4 skin is medium to tan skin that rarely burns but can turn pink in about 60 to 90 minutes of direct sun exposure yet often tans easily. This is common for people with dark hair and eyes.
	Level 5 skin is brown to dark brown skin that very rarely burns and tans easily in about two hours of sun exposure. Those with dark hair and eyes and of Middle Eastern or African-American descent are usually at this level.		Level 6 skin is black skin that never burns and always tans, though a tan is usually not apparent due to depth of natural skin color.

REGARDLESS OF YOUR SKIN COLOR AND HOW EASILY YOU TAN, WRINKLES, SKIN DISCOLORATIONS, AND SKIN CANCERS ARE PRIMARILY CAUSED BY UNPROTECTED SUN EXPOSURE!

Next, Do the Math:

Your Level of Sunburn Risk x by the SPF Rating = Safe Sun Exposure for Your Skin Color
The SPF number is a rating that determines how long you can stay in the sun without burning when you wear that product without needing to reapply it. It does not indicate quality of protection, just length of time. Here's how to do the math. If you have:
- Level 1 skin (very fair)
- That means you usually get a burn in about 15 to 20 minutes of unprotected sun exposure. Determining your skin's response to various SPF ratings works like this:
  - SPF 15 x 20 minutes = 300 minutes (5 hours) of protection
  - SPF 30 x 20 minutes = 600 minutes (10 hours) of protection
  - SPF 45 x 20 minutes = 900 minutes (15 hours) of protection
- Level 2 skin (fair to light)
- That means you usually get a burn in about 30 minutes of unprotected sun exposure. Determining your skin's response to various SPF ratings works like this:
  - SPF 15 x 30 minutes = 450 minutes (7.5 hours) of protection
  - SPF 30 x 30 minutes = 900 minutes (15 hours) of protection
  - SPF 45 x 30 minutes = 1,350 minutes (22.5 hours) of protection
- Level 3 skin (light to medium/olive)
- That means you usually get a burn in about 40 minutes of unprotected sun exposure. Determining your skin's response to various SPF ratings works like this:
  - SPF 15 x 40 minutes = 600 minutes (10 hours) of protection
  - SPF 30 x 40 minutes = 1,200 minutes (20 hours) of protection
  - SPF 45 x 40 minutes = 1,800 minutes (30 hours) of protection
- Level 4 skin (medium to tan)
- That means you usually get a burn in about 60 minutes of unprotected sun exposure. Determining your skin's response to various SPF ratings works like this:
  - SPF 15 x 60 minutes = 900 minutes (10 hours) of protection
  - SPF 30 x 60 minutes = 1,800 minutes (30 hours) of protection
  - SPF 45 x 60 minutes = 2,700 minutes (45 hours) of protection
- Level 5 and Level 6 skin (brown to dark brown or black)
- That means you usually get a burn in about 120 minutes (2 hours) of unprotected sun exposure. Determining your skin's response to various SPF ratings works like this:
  - SPF 15 x 120 minutes = 1,800 minutes (*30 hours) of protection
  - SPF 30 x 120 minutes = 3,600 minutes (60 hours) of protection
  - SPF 45 x 120 minutes = 5,400 minutes (90 hours) of protection

*Note that level 5 and 6 skin should do just fine with a well-formulated sunscreen rated SPF 15. However, liberal application is still important. If you do not think you'll be applying the sunscreen as liberally as you should, consider a sunscreen rated SPF 30.

Paula's Choice Has Several Options to Keep You Covered 365 Days a Year!
I am proud to offer a wide selection of expertly-formulated sunscreens. Each provides sufficient, reliable UVA protection while helping to boost skin's environmental defenses with added antioxidants and other beneficial ingredients. Paula's Choice sunscreens are fragrance-free and thoroughly tested to ensure safety and effectiveness.

SPF 15:

Best for the Neck Down: Essential Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 15 or Pure Mineral Sunscreen SPF 15

Best for the Face: Skin Balancing Daily Mattifying Lotion with SPF 15 & Antioxidants or Skin Recovery Daily Moisturizing Lotion with SPF 15 & Antioxidants

Foundation and Pressed Powder with Sun Protection (it all adds up!):

Foundation: All Bases Covered Foundation SPF 15, Best Face Forward Foundation SPF 15, or Barely There Sheer Matte Tint SPF 20

Pressed Powder: Healthy Finish Pressed Powder SPF 15

SPF 30:

Extra Care Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 30 or Ultra-Light Weightless Finish SPF 30 Spray

SPF 45 and Greater:

Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 45 or Ultra-Light Sunscreen Spray Lotion SPF 55

Keep in mind: Regardless of the SPF rating no sunscreen can block 100% of the sun's rays. That's why you may still get a mild sunburn or begin to tan after spending a few hours in the sun, and why it's important to consider other sun-smart tips. Those tips include avoiding the sun during peak hours (10 a.m.- 2 p.m.), seeking shade when possible, and wearing protective clothing, including broad-brimmed hats and sunglasses.

Paula's Sunscreen Guide and Top Picks for SPF essentials

2009-06-12T03:46:00.000-07:00

Summer Sunscreen Exclusive

Protecting skin from the sun has become an intense controversy for two major reasons. Number one is our basic need for vitamin D, which is produced by the skin's exposure to sun, meaning that it may be problematic to limit exposure or by some opinions, use sunscreen at all. Number two concerns sunscreens and the types of active ingredients used to create the SPF (Sun Protection Factor) rating which might have unwanted systemic consequences.

I know, just when you thought you had the sun protection concept down solid a curve ball comes straight across home plate!

Controversy aside, when it comes to skin, what is absolutely, 1000% certain is that the sun is a potent carcinogen and sun damage is by the far the most significant cause of wrinkling, skin "aging", and skin cancers.

Get Naked!

Aside from abundant studies proving how damaging sun exposure is to skin, you can do your own research by taking a test; I call it the "get naked test of aging". In other words, just compare the areas of your body that rarely, if ever, see the sun with the parts of your body exposed to the sun on a daily basis. If you are over the age of 30 you will notice the areas that get minimal sun exposure (such as your backside, inside of your arm, breasts, middle back, and thighs) don't appear dry, flaky, thin, show brown discolorations, have wrinkles, or any of the other signs of "aging". Meanwhile, skin chronically exposed to the sun without protection looks "older" and has more skin problems than skin that hasn't been exposed to the sun or hasn't been protected in some manner.
This report is to help you protect your skin from the negative impact the sun has on skin! For details on the other controversies surrounding sun protection click through to these links:

* Vitamin D and Sun Exposure
* Nanotechnology & Mineral Sunscreens
* Can Sunscreen Ingredient Affect Skin Negatively?

Summer Shopping Sanity

Now that longer days and warmer weather is settling in, the other obvious signs of the season are also brightly shining in news stories about sun protection, fashion magazines filled with ads for sunscreens, self-tanners, bronzers, and drugstore shelves lined with all manner of sun-care products. You would think there was no daylight any other time of the year!

The fact that sunscreen tends to be promoted seasonally doesn't do much to reinforce the need for every day protection, 365 days a year. Yet sun damage is about naked skin seeing daylight, and sun damage begins within the first minute that skin is exposed to the sun.
Sunburn Surprise

Recently, I've even seen some drugstores set up sunburn stations, where all manner of products (many of which contain irritants) sold to relieve the sting and redness of sunburn are promoted. Of course, the goal is to avoid sunburn but, as it turns out, getting sunburned is surprisingly common. Based on the most recent statistics from the United States Centers for Disease Control, 1 in 3 adults said they got a sun burn in the last year. Now that's bad news.

Even worse, 2/3 of adults who suffered sunburn admitted to enduring several sunburns in the past year. But what really has me concerned is the fact that 61% of people aged 18-24 reported getting sunburned in the past year. People in that age group tend to be more willing to tan than older adults, likely because the long-term damage they're doing is 10 to 20 years away from showing up (well, that and the mistaken, lingering belief that a tan is healthy and pale skin is unattractive).

Sun Safety Essentials
Here are some basic points to keep in mind before you venture out to shop for sunscreens and before you slather it on:

* Application
* You must apply sunscreen liberally on all parts of your body that will see daylight! A study published in the Archives of Dermatology (October 2002, pages 1,319-1,325) said, "Sunscreen users are only applying 50 percent of the recommended amount, so they are only receiving 50 percent of the SPF protection." Because of the need for liberal application, expensive sunscreens can be dangerous to your skin's health. After all, how likely are you to liberally apply a sunscreen from Lancome that costs $48 or, even more absurdly, a sunscreen from La Prairie that costs $170 for 1 ounce?
* There are brilliantly formulated sunscreens in all price ranges, but because how you use it is so important, expensive absolutely doesn't mean better in the world of sun protection.

* Tanning Isn't Pretty
* There is no such thing as a safe tan, whether it is from the sun or a tanning booth. Even if you tan slowly without burning (what many people refer to as "developing a base tan"), the damage is hazardous to the health and long-term appearance of your skin. What gets put on the back burner, so to speak, is that sunburn at any age (or latitude, meaning you're not safer in Boston than you would be in Orlando) increases the risk for melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.
* UVB radiation is the sun's burning ray and has an immediate, harmful impact on skin. Damage from UVB rays takes place within the very first minute (yes, 60 seconds) of walking outside.
* UVA rays are the sun's silent killers. You don't feel them but they are the primary cause of skin cancer, wrinkles, and a weakened immune system.
* Even on a cloudy or hazy day, the sun's rays are present and impacting the skin. Sun damage is about naked skin seeing daylight.
* Sitting in the shade or wearing a hat only protects against a portion of the sun's rays. Plus, other surrounding surfaces such as water, cement, and grass reflect the rays from the ground to your skin giving you a double whammy of exposure.

* Getting Wet
* If you're swimming or perspiring, you must wear a water-resistant sunscreen which provides 40 (labeled as "water-resistant") to 80 (labeled as "very water-resistant") minutes of protection before you need to reapply it to maintain a sufficient level of protection. Sunscreens labeled as "waterproof" are not really waterproof (which is why the FDA is urging manufacturers to stop using this term). No sunscreen is "waterproof." If you do not reapply a sunscreen after swimming, perspiring, or toweling off, expect sun damage up to and including sunburn.

* SPF by the Numbers
* According to the FDA, the U.S. regulatory body that monitors SPF ratings, a product's SPF (sun protection factor) number tells you how long you can stay in the sun before getting burned. To find out your own personal SPF number click here: Your Personal SPF: Determining Your Number

* UVA vs. UVB
* SPF is crucial, but it is only a measurement regarding sunburn (UVB) rays. It is dangerous for your skin to not have UVA protection and many sunscreens do not have ingredients that can provide true full-spectrum (both UVA and UVB) coverage. In most countries, including the U.S. and Canada, there are no numbers to tell you about protection from UVA radiation. For that protection you have to check the active ingredient list to see if either zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, avobenzone (which may also be listed as Parsol 1789 or butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane), Mexoryl SX, or Tinosorb (Tinosorb is only available in products sold outside the U.S.). If one of those isn't part of the active ingredient list (it doesn't count if it is just part of the regular or "other" ingredients) you are not applying adequate UVA protection and that is dangerous for your skin.
* The SPF number does not tell you anything about a product's quality. The SPF number is just a time limit number. A sunscreen rated SPF 2 blocks about 50% of UVB rays; an SPF 10 filters out about 85% of UVB rays; an SPF 15 stops about 95%; and an SPF 30 stops about 97%. An SPF that's higher than 30 does not provide any more UV protection, it just offers more time that you can stay in the sun without burning.
* Even if the SPF number on your sunscreen's label is an SPF 50, it still has limitations and can let approximately 3% of UV rays penetrate your skin. This explains why you still might get some color after prolonged exposure to the sun despite slathering sunscreen on your skin and reapplying as directed.
* As a general rule it is best to apply sunscreen at least 15 to 20 minutes before sun exposure. This gives the sunscreen time to absorb and to spread over and into the uppermost layers of skin. You never want to wait until you get to your destination to apply sunscreen.

* Ouch!
* Getting sunburned is bad enough, but what you may not know is that sunburn continues to develop for 12 to 24 hours after the initial burn takes place! Treat sunburn the way you would treat any other burn. Do not cover it with thick salves (greasy, balm-like moisturizers are the worst). These will trap the heat and cause more damage. Get the skin in contact with cool (not cold or icy) water or pure aloe vera immediately (do not put ice directly on the skin—that's too much cold and can cause a different kind of burn). Then keep applying the cool water or pure aloe vera on and off for several hours. You may also want to take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory, such as aspirin, to reduce pain and swelling. If you are unsure of which medication to take, consult your physician.

* Special Concerns
* If you are using AHA, BHA, Retin-A, Renova, Differin, or any topical pharmaceutical retinoid, it can make your skin more vulnerable to sun damage due to the surface exfoliation and changes (removing the top layer of sun-damaged skin) caused by using these products. If you are not being diligent about sun protection, your skin is even more at risk for sun damage and sunburn, even with minimal sun exposure.

* Adding Up Different Sun Products
* If you are using more than one product that contains sunscreen, the two sunscreens do not add up to one SPF number. In other words, an SPF 8 and an SPF 15 do not add up to an SPF 23. Though you would absolutely get an increased SPF value for protection (and layering isn't a bad idea at all), there is still no way of knowing what that increased protection would be. If you want to count on getting an SPF 30's worth of protection, then that is the number you should look for in one product.

* For the Kids
* If you have babies or small children, sunscreen protection should be of primary concern. Their delicate skin is even more sensitive to the sun's damaging energy. Regardless of the claim on the label, SPF formulations don't differ in any way because of the age of the intended user. Of greater concern than the cute packaging on kids' products is that the formulation is best for a child's sensitive skin. That means you should choose one that contains only pure titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide as the active ingredient. These mineral-based active ingredients have almost no chance of causing a reaction on skin and they pose a low risk of casing stinging if the product inadvertently gets into your child's eyes (think how often kids use their hands to wipe at their eye area).

* The Only Safe Tan
* If you're determined to get a tan, the only safe way to do it is with self-tanning products such as Paula's Choice Almost the Real Thing Self-Tanning Gel or the many other options available at the drugstore, from Neutrogena to L'Oreal or Coppertone. You can also go to self-tanning booths offered in many tanning parlors (such as Mystic Tan®) that spray a uniform layer of self-tanner from head to toe. The results can be very impressive, assuming you follow all the pre-spray directions. Your self-tan can be enhanced with carefully-applied bronzing products (creams, gels, and powders).

Sunscreens

The sunscreens on the list below are divided into options for skin types, product type, and, where applicable, Point-of-Sale. You'll find inexpensive options from the drugstore and mail order companies like Avon as well as pricier but still worthwhile options sold at the department store and in beauty emporiums like Sephora. Every SPF-rated product on the list not only provides sufficient UVA-protection as discussed above, but the skin-care products with sunscreen contain antioxidants and other ingredients that help boost skin's defenses in the presence of sunlight.

Antioxidants are a key component of a well-formulated sunscreen, especially for the face, hands, and chest that get hammered by the sun more than just about any other part of the body. When skin isn't damaged by the sun's rays (which generate free-radical damage), it contains a natural supply of antioxidants. With ongoing, unprotected exposure to the sun these vital elements are depleted and don't regenerate. Supplying your skin with antioxidants in a product you leave on provides your skin with what it needs to function normally and "act younger".

Simply put, not using a sunscreen with antioxidants is cheating your skin for no good reason. Why settle for just sun protection when sunscreen plus antioxidants can help your skin defend itself much better?

Note: for ongoing reviews of sunscreens from over 250 cosmetic lines, visit my extensive database of product reviews at www.Beautypedia.com.

Reminder: The list of products below is current as this report is prepared for publication online. Cosmetic companies can and often do discontinue products at their discretion. Please contact the cosmetic company in question if you're unable to find a particular product on this list.

* Best Sunscreens for Normal to Dry Skin:
* At the Drugstore:
* Alba Botanica Facial Sunscreen SPF 20 ($9.95 for 4 ounces)
* Alba Botanica Kids Sunscreen SPF 30+ ($9.95 for 4 ounces)
* Alba Botanica Sport Sunscreen SPF 30+ ($9.95 for 4 ounces) Eucerin Everyday Protection Body Lotion SPF 15
* Aveeno Continuous Protection Sunblock Lotion SPF 30, for Face ($10.49 for 3 ounces)
* Eucerin Everyday Protection Body Lotion SPF 15 ($10.29 for 13.5 ounces)
* Kiss My Face Sun Screen SPF 18 ($11.95 for 4 ounces)
* Jason Natural Sunbrellas Active Sunblock SPF 40 ($11 for 4 ounces)
* Jason Natural Sunbrellas Family Sunblock SPF 36 ($9.49 for 4 ounces)
* Jason Natural Sunbrellas Kids Sunbock SPF 46 ($11.49 for 4 ounces)
* Kiss My Face Face Factor Face + Neck SPF 30 ($11.95 for 2 ounces)
* Neutrogena Active Breathable Sunblock SPF 30 ($9.99 for 4 ounces)
* Neutrogena Age Shield Face Sunblock SPF 55 ($10.99 for 4 ounces)
* Neutrogena Ultra Soft Hydrating Sunblock SPF 45 ($13.99 for 6 ounces)

* At the Department/Specialty Store:
* Cellex-C Sunshade SPF 30+ ($45 for 2 ounces)
* Clarins Sun Care Cream Ultra Protection SPF 30, for Children and Sun Sensitive Skin ($27 for 4 ounces)
* Clinique Sun SPF 30 Body Cream ($20 for 5 ounces)
* Clinique Sun SPF 50 Body Cream ($20 for 5 ounces)
* Clinique Sun SPF 30 Face Cream ($17.50 for 1.7 ounces)
* Clinique Sun SPF 50 Face Cream ($17.50 for 1.7 ounces)
* DDF Moisturizing Photo-Age Protection SPF 30 ($32 for 4 ounces)
* fresh Sunshield Face and Body SPF 30 ($48 for 5.1 ounces)
* Good Skin All Bright Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 30 ($12 for 1.7 ounces)
* MD Skincare by Dr. Dennis Gross Powerful Sun Protection SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion ($42 for 5 ounces)
* MD Skincare by Dr. Dennis Gross Powerful Sun Protection SPF 30 Sunscreen Packettes ($42 for 60 packets)
* MD Skincare by Dr. Dennis Gross Powerful Sun Protection SPF 45 Sunscreen Cream ($42 for 4.2 ounces)
* Nu Skin Sunbright Body Block SPF 30 ($15.20 for 3.4 ounces)
* Nu Skin Sunbright Body Block SPF 15 ($15.20 for 3.4 ounces)Paula's Choice Ultra-Light Sunscreen Spray Lotion SPF 55
* Paula's Choice Extra Care Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 30+ for Normal to Dry Skin ($14.95 for 4.2 ounces)
* Paula's Choice Ultra Light Weightless Finish SPF 30 Sunscreen Spray for All Skin Types ($15.95 for 4 ounces)
* Paula's Choice Pure Mineral Sunscreen SPF 15 for Normal to Very Dry Skin ($15.95 for 6 ounces)
* Paula's Choice Ultra-Light Sunscreen Spray Lotion SPF 55 for All Skin Types ($15.95 for 4 ounces)
* Peter Thomas Roth Uber-Dry Sunscreen Cream SPF 30 ($26 for 4.2 ounces)
* Peter Thomas Roth Oil-Free Sunblock SPF 30 ($26 for 4.2 ounces)

* Best Sunscreens for Normal to Oily Skin:
* Neutrogena Age Shield Sunblock SPF 30
* At the Drugstore:
* Jason Natural Sunbrellas Sun Care Complete Block Spray SPF 26 ($9.75 for 4 ounces)
* Neutrogena Active Breathable Sunblock SPF 30 ($9.99 for 4 ounces) SPF 45 ($10.69 for 4 ounces)
* Neutrogena Age Shield Face Sunblock SPF 55 ($10.99 for 4 ounces)
* Neutrogena Age Shield Sunblock SPF 30 ($9.99 for 4 ounces)
* Neutrogena Age Shield Sunblock SPF 45 ($9.99 for 4 ounces)
* Olay Age Transform Intensive UV Defense Serum SPF 15 ($10.99 for 5.9 ounces)

* At the Department/Specialty Store:
* Clinique Sun SPF 15 Face/Body Cream ($20 for 5 ounces)Clinique Sun SPF 15 Face/Body Cream
* DDF Matte Finish Photo-Age Protection SPF 30 ($32 for 4 ounces)
* Good Skin All Bright Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 30 ($12 for 1.7 ounces)
* Good Skin All Bright Oil-Free Sunscreen SPF 30 ($12 for 1.7 ounces)
* Mary Kay SPF 30 Sunscreen ($14 for 4 ounces)
* Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 45 for Normal to Oily/Combination Skin ($14.95 for 5 ounces)
* Paula's Choice Ultra-Light Sunscreen Spray Lotion SPF 55 ($15.95 for 4 ounces)
* Paula's Choice Ultra-Light Weightless Finish SPF 30 Sunscreen Spray for All Skin Types ($15.95 for 4 ounces)
* Paula's Choice Essential Non-Greasy Sunscreen for Normal to Oily/Combination Skin ($14.95 for 5 ounces)
* Peter Thomas Roth Uber-Dry Sunscreen Cream ($26 for 4.2 ounces)
* SkinCeuticals Physical UV Defense SPF 30 ($34 for 3 ounces)
* SkinMedica Solar Care Daily Sun Protection SPF 20 ($33.15 for 2 ounces)
* Paula's Choice Pure Mineral Sunscreen SPF 15

* Best Sunscreens rated SPF 15 of Greater for Sensitive Skin:
* Alba Botanica Aloe Vanilla Mineral Sunscreen SPF 18 ($9.95 for 4 ounces)
* Avon Moisture Therapy Mineral Sunscreen Cream with SPF 28 ($9.99 for 3.4 ounces)
* Jason Natural Fragrance-Free Hand & Body Lotion SPF 15 ($12.99 for 8.5 ounces)
* Obagi Nu-Derm Physical UV Block SPF 32 ($40 for 2 ounces)
* Paula's Choice Pure Mineral Sunscreen SPF 15 ($15.95 for 6 ounces)
* Physician's Formula Sun Shield for Faces Extra Sensitive Skin SPF 25 ($8.95 for 4 ounces)
* Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Sunblock Stick SPF 60+ with PureScreen ($8.99 for 0.47 ounce)
* SkinCeuticals Physical UV Defense SPF 30 ($34 for 3 ounces)

Foundations

* Best *Foundations with Sunscreen for Normal to Dry Skin:
* Revlon Age Defying Makeup with Botafirm SPF 15At the Drugstore:
* Cover Girl AquaSmooth Makeup SPF 15 ($9.99)
* L'Oreal HIP Flawless Liquid Makeup SPF 15 ($13)
* Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Custom Face Perfector Cream Compact Foundation SPF 18 ($7.99)
* Revlon Age Defying Makeup with Botafirm SPF 15 ($13.99)
* Revlon ColorStay Makeup with Softflex for Normal to Dry Skin SPF 15 ($12.99)
* Revlon New Complexion One Step Compact Makeup SPF 15 ($12.99)

* At the Department/Specialty Store:
* Chanel Mat Lumiere Long Lasting Soft Matte Makeup SPF 15 ($54)
* Cle de Peau Beaute Refining Fluid Foundation SPF 24 ($115)
* Clinique Repairware Anti-Aging Makeup SPF 15 ($28.50)
* Dior DiorSkin Compact SPF 20 ($41)
* Estee Lauder Resilience Lift Extreme Ultra Firming Creme Compact Makeup SPF 15 ($34.50)
* Giorgio Armani Designer Shaping Cream Foundation ($65)
* Guerlain Terracotta Ultimate Bronze SPF 15 ($42.50)
* Lancome Absolue BX Makeup Absolute Replenishing Radiant makeup SPF 18 ($57)Tarte ReCreate Anti-Aging Foundation with Wrinkle Rewind Technology SPF 15
* M.A.C. Select SPF 15 Moistureblend ($29)
* M.A.C. Studio Sculpt SPF 15 Foundation ($28)
* M.A.C. Studio Stick Foundation SPF 15 ($29)
* Paula's Choice All Bases Covered Foundation SPF 15 ($14.95)
* Prescriptives AnyWear Multi-Purpose Makeup Stick SPF 15 ($35)
* Prescriptives Flawless Skin Total Protection Makeup SPF 15 ($39.50)
* Quo Cosmetics Optical Illusion Foundation SPF 15 ($20)
* Shiseido Dual Balancing Foundation SPF 17 ($37.50)
* Shiseido Stick Foundation SPF 15 ($37)
* Tarte ReCreate Anti-Aging Foundation with Wrinkle Rewind Technology SPF 15 ($37)
* Tarte Smooth Operator Oil-Free Foundation with SPF 20 ($35)
* Almay TLC Truly Lasting Color 16 Hour Makeup SPF 15

* Best *Foundations with Sunscreen for Normal to Oily Skin:
* At the Drugstore:
* Almay Nearly Naked Liquid Makeup SPF 15 ($12.99)
* Almay TLC Truly Lasting Color 16 Hour Makeup SPF 15 ($12.99)
* Boots No7 Stay Perfect Foundation SPF 15 ($13.99)
* Cover Girl AquaSmooth Makeup SPF 15 ($9.99)
* L'Oreal HIP Flawless Liquid Makeup SPF 15 ($13)
* L'Oreal True Match Super Blendable Makeup SPF 17 ($10.95)
* Revlon Age Defying Makeup with Botafirm SPF 15 ($13.99)
* Revlon Beyond Natural Skin Matching Makeup SPF 15 ($12.99)
* Revlon ColorStay Active Light Makeup SPF 25 ($12.99)
* Revlon New Complexion One Step Compact Makeup SPF 15 ($12.99)

* At the Department/Specialty Store:
* Chanel Mat Lumiere Long Lasting Soft Matte Makeup SPF 15 ($54)
* Clarins Truly Matte Foundation SPF 15 ($37.50)
* Cle de Peau Beaute Refining Fluid Foundation SPF 24 ($115)
* Clinique Even Better Makeup SPF 15 ($24.50)
* Clinique Superbalanced Compact Makeup SPF 20 ($28)
* Dior DiorSkin Compact SPF 20 ($41)
* Estee Lauder Nutritious Vita-Mineral Loose Powder Makeup SPF 15 ($33.50)
* Guerlain Terracotta Ultimate Bronze SPF 15 ($42.50)
* Jane Iredale PurePressed Minerals SPF 18 ($48)
* Illuminare Ultimate All Day Foundation/Concealer Matte Finish Sunscreen Makeup SPF 21 ($27)
* Lancome Absolue BX Makeup Absolute Replenishing Radiant Makeup SPF 18 ($57)
* M.A.C. Studio Sculpt SPF 15 Foundation ($28)
* M.A.C. Studio Stick Foundation SPF 15 ($29)
* Paula's Choice Best Face Forward Foundation SPF 15 ($14.95)
* Prescriptives AnyWear Multi-Purpose Makeup Stick SPF 15 ($35)
* Quo Cosmetics Optical Illusion Foundation SPF 15 ($20)
* Shiseido Stick Foundation SPF 15 ($37.50)
* Shiseido Sun Protection Liquid Foundation SPF 42 ($33.50)
* Tarte Smooth Operator Oil-Free Foundation with SPF 20 ($35)
* The Body Shop Flawless Skin Protecting Foundation SPF 25 ($25)

*Note: Foundations with sunscreen appearing on the lists for normal to dry and normal to oily skin are suitable for all skin types.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Glow Sheers SPF 30
Tinted Moisturizers

* Best Tinted Moisturizers with Sunscreen:
* At the Drugstore:
* Boots No7 Soft & Sheer Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 ($11.99)
* Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer SPF $20 ($11.99)
* Neutrogena Healthy Skin Glow Sheers SPF 30 ($12.79)

* At the Department/Specialty Store:
* Paula's Choice Barely There Sheer Matte Tint SPF 20
* Aveda Inner Light Tinted Moisture SPF 15 ($26)
* Bobbi Brown SPF 15 Tinted Moisturizer ($40)
* Clinique Almost Makeup SPF 15 ($20.50)
* Estee Lauder DayWear Plus Multi-Protection Anti-Oxidant Moisturizer Sheer Tint Release Formula SPF 15 for All Skin Types ($38.50)
* Estee Lauder DayWear Plus Multi-Protection Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 ($35)
* Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 ($42)
* Paula's Choice Barely There Sheer Matte Tint SPF 20 ($14.95)

Pressed Powders

* Best Pressed Powders with Sunscreen:
* Avon Anew Beauty Age-Transforming Pressed Powder SPF 15 ($12) Avon Anew Beauty Age-Transforming Pressed Powder SPF 15
* Clinique Almost Powder Makeup SPF 15 ($22.50)
* Dior DiorSkin Forever Compact Flawless & Moist Extreme Wear Makeup SPF 25 ($42)
* Paula's Choice Healthy Finish Pressed Powder SPF 15 ($14.95)
* Prescriptives: Flawless Skin Total Protection Powder SPF 15 ($30)
* Shiseido Compact Foundation SPF 15 ($37.50)
* Shiseido STM Smoothing Compact Foundation SPF 34 ($25.50)
* Shiseido Sun Protection Compact Foundation SPF 34 ($25.50)
* Shiseido Pureness Matifying Compact Oil-Free SPF 16 ($20)

Lip Balms
* Paula's Choice Moisturizing Lipscreen SPF 15
* Best Lip Balms with Sunscreen:
* B. Kamins, Chemist Lip Balm SPF 20 ($19 for 0.53 ounce)
* Blistex Clear Advance SPF 30 ($2.19 for 0.15 ounce)
* Jane Iredale Lip Drink SPF 15 ($11.60 for 0.15 ounce)
* Mary Kay Lip Protector Sunscreen SPF 15 ($7.50 for 0.16 ounce)
* MD Skincare by Dr. Dennis Gross Powerful Sun Protection SPF 25 Lip Balm ($18 for 0.25 ounce)
* Paula's Choice Moisturizing Lipscreen SPF 15 ($8.95 for 0.16 ounce)

STOCK UP ON ALL YOUR SUMMER SKIN CARE NEEDS!

2009-06-08T13:31:00.000-07:00

WELCOME!

2009-05-19T09:07:00.001-07:00

How many times have you gone to the local pharmacy and bought a new cleanser or toner and when you got it home, thought , "This was a waste of money!" Or have you ever splurged on expensive lipstick or mascara and thought "Why is this so expensive?"

I have done that many, many times. Then one day at a bookstore I discovered a book called "Don't go to the Cosmetics Counter without Me" by Paula Begoun (aka The Cosmetics Cop). I found that I could look up many of the brands carried at the drugstore or department store, find out more about them and if they might work for me. I also realized how quickly cosmetics company change the name of a product to make it seem new and appealing while it may actually be the same product they've manufactured for years.

That led me to the "Cosmetics Cop" web site. I decided to try Paula's Choice products. After all, there was nothing to lose. I was frustrated of trying product after product that either dried out my combination skin or made it break out and took weeks to clear-up again.

What I have found with Paula's Choice products is exactly what she promises - no hype. There is no fragrance or fancy glass bottles in Paula's Choice Products, there are only great products formulated with non-irritating ingredients that are beneficial for your skin.

I have used Paula's Choice for 10 years and I am so excited to be sharing it with all of you! I truly believe that Paula's Choice will save you time, money, and make you feel good about your skin again.