Welcome readers, old and new! I’m traveling this week, so today’s post is short. (Like some of my favorite people 🧒)
Please don’t forget to hit the ❤️ above to send waves of love and protection to slowly boiling sea life around the world.
After 10 scorching days in Hawaii with my family, it’s time to go home. My five-year-old granddaughter, M, has, in her inimitable way, let me know I’ve had enough sun. “Oooh, Grammie,” she said, running her slender (pale) fingers over my nut brown, puckered knuckles. “Your fingers look like little croissants.” 🥐
I hadn’t noticed, but she’s right. The sun worked its magic on me in spite of the fact I used this sunscreen on my face (and wore a hat) and this one everywhere else (under a rashguard). If you want to know why we have fewer options in the U.S. than elsewhere for effective sunscreens, read this story.
It seems a good time to remind you (and me) that, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, the sun causes about 90% of skin aging. Which confirms the notion that sun protection is your most valuable beauty tool.
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Here’s a quick Q&A, sunscreen-related.
Q: My question is about how to protect the ever-deepening trenches laugh lines around my eyes from sun damage. I'm 65 and I work in the garden quite a bit during the summer, slathering on prodigious amounts of high SPF sunscreen religiously. In addition, I'm never without my hat. The issue: When I apply sunscreen anywhere near my eyes, it stings when I get the least bit sweaty. And trust me, I get more than the least bit sweaty. I wonder if there exists a miracle product that safely protects the eye area from the sun, moisturizes, and doesn't melt off the minute I yank the first weed?!
A: As you may already know, I happen to love trenches laugh lines around the eyes. But I understand why you want to protect that delicate area from the sun.
As for a miracle product, I doubt there is one (readers?), but I do have a few suggestions from my own (stinging) experience. A physical (mineral) sunscreen (zinc oxide or titanium oxide) is much less likely to irritate. And a stick formula, because it’s solid, is easier to avoid getting into your eyes no matter how prodigious your sweat. I like this one and this one, both sticks.
I also frequently apply one of these sunscreen powders over my daily moisturizer, which might also be helpful for you as they're mineral (again, not chemical) and don’t drip. This site has a few more suggestions.
Also useful are UV protecting sunglasses. These and these are about as fun as I get in the shades department.
P.S. Because I answered Dear Reader personally (as I always do) before posting her question here, she’s let me know she tried my suggestion for this stick and loves the way it works. Just FYI.
And finally, for your delectation, have a look at a recent photo I took during the safest hour to be outdoors on Oahu. Moon-screen unnecessary. xo
A Moment of Personal Horn-Blowing
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Like little croissants!! What a magical image!!
That photo is otherworldly.