Canadians live for the summer – lazy weekends at the cottage, backyard barbecues, sunshine and sandals. But intense UV rays, humidity and pollution can take their toll. No worries, we’ve got you covered with summer essentials from head to toe.

Sun scene
While UVB rays (the kind that burn) are low during the winter, come summer, levels leap that put your skin at risk, not just for turning skin tomato red, but accelerating the aging process and increasing the chances of skin cancer. Wearing sunscreen is a powerful option to slow your skin’s aging process. It’s much easier, and less costly to use this defensive approach, than scramble later to undo any sun damage. What’s your choice – a $10 bottle of sunscreen now, or costly procedures later? 

I know you have ‘good reasons’ for not wearing sunscreen. But before skipping it, consider these rebuttals to your ‘reasons’:

I forget to put it on. Choose 2-in-1 products that incorporate a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Moisturizers like Cliniderm Gentle Protective Lotion SPF 45, and Olay Professional Pro-X Age Protection Lotion with SPF 30, and make-up like COVERGIRL & Olay Simply Ageless Foundation with SPF 22. Stock up with a one-step, body moisturizer like Lubriderm Daily Moisture with SPF 15 Lotion. With these products as a part of your daily routine all year there will be no more forgetting.

I hate how it feels. Newer sunscreens are formulated to be non-oily and comfortable on the skin. Toss old-school products and try one of the new breed: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Water-Light Daily Face Sunscreen SPF 60 and Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch Clear Sunscreen Spray SPF 60.

It’s messy. No need to apply sunscreen with your hands again when you use:
Banana Boat Sport Sunscreen Stick SPF 50, or Ombrelle for Face Stick SPF 60, and  dermaglow 70 SPF Body Mist.

I don’t need it. I still get a sunburn. You still need sunscreen. According to dermatologist Dr. Kucy Pon, an Olay consultant, as little as 15 minutes of sun exposure a day over the course of one month is the equivalent of 8 hours of beach-like sun exposure. Remember that UV damage is accumulative. Every bit of unprotected exposure speeds up the skin's aging process.

It doesn’t work. I still get a sunburn. It’s not the sunscreen, but the way it’s applied that causes failure. Dr. Lydia Evans, consulting dermatologist to L’Oréal Paris, suggests applying sunscreen to dry skin 30 minutes before going outdoors so active ingredients can properly blend into the skin. And don’t be stingy! Most people don’t use enough sunscreen to do the job properly. Adults, 20 mL, about a shot-glass full, is enough for an all-over body application.

The clean-up crew
More time outdoors exposes you to higher doses of pollution, smog, dust and dirt – all wreak havoc on skin with clogged pores, breakouts, and wrinkles caused by free radicals.

Don’t hibernate, just be extra diligent about cleansing. Shower debris and sweat from your body with Nivea Diamond Touch Shower Creme Oil and Olay Tone Enriching Ribbons Body Wash with Mica Minerals. Gently scrub face clean with St. Ives Elements Daily Microdermabrasion.

No sweat bets
Heat and humidity causes perspiration
levels to jump in the summer. Perspiration itself has no odour; the sweat produced
by apocrine glands found abundantly in
underarms, is metabolized, or eaten by bacteria living on the skin and hair in this area, the by-product being an unpleasant odour. This is why we apply anti-perspirants and deodorants to underarms.

Get it…
…a golden glow:  Rimmel Sunshimmer, 3 in 1 Shimmering Bronzer powder and Marcelle I-BRONZE Sun-Kissed Glow Moisturizing Cloths.
…baby-smooth skin naturally at home: Montagne Jeunesse Masques.
…a brighter smile: Plus White One Step 5 Minute Bleach Whitening Kit.
…undo a bad colour job without visiting the hair salon: Color Oops!