Aug 8, 2023·edited Aug 8, 2023Liked by Valerie Monroe
-- Hello, Val. I saw your photo on Instagram and you were gorgeous – and also, very aware of the presence of sunlight :) ! About the sunscreen, I like to use and indicate the Skinceuticals one. Sadly, it has become way too expensive due to our conversion here in BR (R$5 = $1). I have been curious to test Biossance, but even so, I still believe ISDIN has a great option for the eyes. Xx.
Val, the wife of a dermatologist in Louisiana recently posted about the superiority of European sunscreens and shared a link to a US source: www.theFrenchpharmacy.com I’ve ordered a few to try!
A couple of weeks ago I was in South County in Rhode Island and going to my favorite beach nearly every day (with one break day to see "Barbie"). It was sunny and hot each day and I made sure to slather on sunblock (unlike 2 years ago and all the age spots appeared on my forearms and haven't gone away), sit underneath my beach umbrella, and moved my body to stay under the shade. One time, I took a walk on the beach for about 20 minutes at 9am. Even so, I still got some sun in ways that surprised me. I guess the only way to avoid any sun damage is to stay out of the sun altogether yet I also deal with low Vitamin D. Moderation?
Thanks, as always, for your sensible advice (though $360 for that first hat -- yikes!). As for the second hat, the link is broken: it takes you to a Banana Boat sunscreen, not a hat. It's the second link in this phrase: "(and wore a hat) and this one everywhere else" -- the "this one."
That photo is sensational, I can only imagine what it was like to experience in real life!
I have a rec for eye area sunscreen: Colorescience Total Eye 3-in-1 Renewal Therapy SPF 35 (these long product names!!) - btw it’s pricey but you only need a teeny bit AND they have a promo going on right now - don’t think it’s waterproof but it’s a pleasure to use and has a tint so it slightly neutralizes the visible blue veins under my eye and on my eyelids.
And a note to anyone who veers to zinc/titanium for whatever reason, MANY “mineral” sunscreens have chemical sunscreen in the formula, the most common one I see is butyloctyl salicylate. They are used as spf boosters. labmuffin.com did a great piece on this topic on 9/18/22.
Thank you Val for sharing your expertise and personal stories!
Years ago, one of my NYC dermatologists said that US sunscreen manufacturers were not allowed to use the most effective sunscreens because of the influence of corporations. (He much preferred European sun screens.) Unfortunately, George Mason U has a connection to various highly conservative funders, so I take this with a grain of salt : "A decade ago, George Mason University surveyed about 1000 members of the Society of Toxicology, a professional association of toxicologists. Just about 80% of them felt that the EWG overstated the risks of chemicals.' What we cn guarantee is that in this country we don't have sufficient watchdogs and I have zero trusts of chemical manufacturers, of instance . Look at what chemicals are prohibited to use in Europe that are used here. And once again, I'll say, I don't get breakthrough tans when I use EWG endorsed products. (I don't use their suggested clean-make-up, but I do only purchase clean make-up :)
I’m pregnant so mostly benched this summer and I notice a real difference in my skin from summers past...even when I apply sunscreen 3-4x a day to be in the beach/ play tennis etc I always get so many freckles. I’ve wondered if there’s ANYTHING I can do. Feels like no matter how careful I am, I turn (burnt) croissant- brown. Maybe just keep procreating?
oooh as a blepharitis girlie, i have THOUGHTS on this! the best sunscreen so far that doesn't hurt my eyes is Nivea's Sun Water gel. it's a japanese sunscreen and it's cosmetically elegant and very gentle.
Val, the photo alone is worth the price of admission. I'm a loyal supporter of sunscreens and you. Always have and always will. Even as a teen, when my friends were baking their brains at the beach I didn't have the patience to just lie there. I liberally apply sunscreen to my face but have always covered up my arms with long sleeves, my hands with sun gloves, and neck with scarves hoping I don't spook those who encounter the weird lady in black. So this summer I traded long sleeves for short sleeves, buttoned up collars for open collars and added gobs of Blue Lizard sunscreen. Now my sunscreen gets all over my clothes, my bag and anything else that gets in it's way. So I'm back to being the weird lady again only this time I wear my full length sun gloves from hands to shoulders and look like I'm going to the opera.
I've already said all I have to say about skin cancer, so I won't bore you with more. For Swedes like me it can be devastating, and a melanoma killed my brother many years ago. So protect yourselves. The sun is not your friend.
Val, have you ever tried Korean sunscreens? I personally have not but I’ve seen online that they’re quite popular and I was wondering if they might have some formula that stops sunscreen from stinging around the eyes
I love seeing that so many people are aware of the damage that long term sun exposure can cause.
There are many attractive hats that have a upf50. The pretty hats with holes are not stopping the sun.
Baseball hats don’t stop the sun (I love them!)
Something else to be aware of- damage to the environment aside, latest studies show that chemical sunscreens may cause/contribute to Frontal fibrosing alopecia in women. This is hair loss at the hairline on our forehead. It is a scarring alopecia so once the hair is gone, it’s not coming back.
The only ingredients you want in your sunscreen are:
Like little croissants!! What a magical image!!
That photo is otherworldly.
-- Hello, Val. I saw your photo on Instagram and you were gorgeous – and also, very aware of the presence of sunlight :) ! About the sunscreen, I like to use and indicate the Skinceuticals one. Sadly, it has become way too expensive due to our conversion here in BR (R$5 = $1). I have been curious to test Biossance, but even so, I still believe ISDIN has a great option for the eyes. Xx.
Val, the wife of a dermatologist in Louisiana recently posted about the superiority of European sunscreens and shared a link to a US source: www.theFrenchpharmacy.com I’ve ordered a few to try!
A couple of weeks ago I was in South County in Rhode Island and going to my favorite beach nearly every day (with one break day to see "Barbie"). It was sunny and hot each day and I made sure to slather on sunblock (unlike 2 years ago and all the age spots appeared on my forearms and haven't gone away), sit underneath my beach umbrella, and moved my body to stay under the shade. One time, I took a walk on the beach for about 20 minutes at 9am. Even so, I still got some sun in ways that surprised me. I guess the only way to avoid any sun damage is to stay out of the sun altogether yet I also deal with low Vitamin D. Moderation?
Gorgeous photograph, Val.
Thanks, as always, for your sensible advice (though $360 for that first hat -- yikes!). As for the second hat, the link is broken: it takes you to a Banana Boat sunscreen, not a hat. It's the second link in this phrase: "(and wore a hat) and this one everywhere else" -- the "this one."
Thank you!
That photo is sensational, I can only imagine what it was like to experience in real life!
I have a rec for eye area sunscreen: Colorescience Total Eye 3-in-1 Renewal Therapy SPF 35 (these long product names!!) - btw it’s pricey but you only need a teeny bit AND they have a promo going on right now - don’t think it’s waterproof but it’s a pleasure to use and has a tint so it slightly neutralizes the visible blue veins under my eye and on my eyelids.
And a note to anyone who veers to zinc/titanium for whatever reason, MANY “mineral” sunscreens have chemical sunscreen in the formula, the most common one I see is butyloctyl salicylate. They are used as spf boosters. labmuffin.com did a great piece on this topic on 9/18/22.
Thank you Val for sharing your expertise and personal stories!
Years ago, one of my NYC dermatologists said that US sunscreen manufacturers were not allowed to use the most effective sunscreens because of the influence of corporations. (He much preferred European sun screens.) Unfortunately, George Mason U has a connection to various highly conservative funders, so I take this with a grain of salt : "A decade ago, George Mason University surveyed about 1000 members of the Society of Toxicology, a professional association of toxicologists. Just about 80% of them felt that the EWG overstated the risks of chemicals.' What we cn guarantee is that in this country we don't have sufficient watchdogs and I have zero trusts of chemical manufacturers, of instance . Look at what chemicals are prohibited to use in Europe that are used here. And once again, I'll say, I don't get breakthrough tans when I use EWG endorsed products. (I don't use their suggested clean-make-up, but I do only purchase clean make-up :)
I’m pregnant so mostly benched this summer and I notice a real difference in my skin from summers past...even when I apply sunscreen 3-4x a day to be in the beach/ play tennis etc I always get so many freckles. I’ve wondered if there’s ANYTHING I can do. Feels like no matter how careful I am, I turn (burnt) croissant- brown. Maybe just keep procreating?
oooh as a blepharitis girlie, i have THOUGHTS on this! the best sunscreen so far that doesn't hurt my eyes is Nivea's Sun Water gel. it's a japanese sunscreen and it's cosmetically elegant and very gentle.
Love the Skinbetter Science sheer SPF 56 stick. Very smooth, silky, blends easily and works! https://store.skinbetter.com/sunbetter-sheer-spf-56-sunscreen-stick-20-g?quantity=1&custitem_sca_facet_skincare_category=Sunscreens
Val, the photo alone is worth the price of admission. I'm a loyal supporter of sunscreens and you. Always have and always will. Even as a teen, when my friends were baking their brains at the beach I didn't have the patience to just lie there. I liberally apply sunscreen to my face but have always covered up my arms with long sleeves, my hands with sun gloves, and neck with scarves hoping I don't spook those who encounter the weird lady in black. So this summer I traded long sleeves for short sleeves, buttoned up collars for open collars and added gobs of Blue Lizard sunscreen. Now my sunscreen gets all over my clothes, my bag and anything else that gets in it's way. So I'm back to being the weird lady again only this time I wear my full length sun gloves from hands to shoulders and look like I'm going to the opera.
I've already said all I have to say about skin cancer, so I won't bore you with more. For Swedes like me it can be devastating, and a melanoma killed my brother many years ago. So protect yourselves. The sun is not your friend.
Val, have you ever tried Korean sunscreens? I personally have not but I’ve seen online that they’re quite popular and I was wondering if they might have some formula that stops sunscreen from stinging around the eyes
I use baby sunscreen on my face. Everything else stings.
I love seeing that so many people are aware of the damage that long term sun exposure can cause.
There are many attractive hats that have a upf50. The pretty hats with holes are not stopping the sun.
Baseball hats don’t stop the sun (I love them!)
Something else to be aware of- damage to the environment aside, latest studies show that chemical sunscreens may cause/contribute to Frontal fibrosing alopecia in women. This is hair loss at the hairline on our forehead. It is a scarring alopecia so once the hair is gone, it’s not coming back.
The only ingredients you want in your sunscreen are:
Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide and iron oxide.
There are several.