Hi, Guys! Excited about Summer? I am! The days are long and warm and whether your summer complexion matches a pink, golden, bronze or cocoa hugh, sun protection should be number one on your list of summer essentials. This month we also celebrate all the amazing men in our lives with Fathers Day (June 15). Men always ask me for skincare recommendations. Apparently most guys don’t sit around sharing beauty tips, but they really do want to know about this stuff. So let’s do a little study session on sunscreens and basic skin care tips just for the Men. You’ll feel confident picking the best sun protection for you and your family, plus no more having to share your skincare with the men in your life because they have their own unique needs when it comes to skin and deserve to feel pampered too!
SUNSCREEN 101
DID YOU KNOW?
There are TWO TYPES of harmful sun rays
UVA rays are associated with signs of skin aging and skin cancers such as melanoma
UVB rays cause sunburns and some skin cancers such as squamous cell carcinoma
There are TWO TYPES of sunscreen
They’re very different from each other, so it’s important to know which one you are putting on your skin.
- Mineral Sunscreens use physical barriers (zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide) to prevent UV rays from penetrating the skin. They offer immediate protection from the moment you apply them.
- Chemical Sunscreens use chemicals (like avobenzone, oxybenzone, homosalate, etc) to absorb UV rays and convert them into heat which is then released from the skin, preventing the rays from penetrating deeper layers of the skin and causing damage. These sunscreens DO NOT offer immediate protection and must be applied approximately 20 minutes prior to sun exposure so the ingredients can activate. *Please note: recent studies suggest avoiding chemical sunscreens that contain oxybenzone because that chemical has been shown to disrupt the hormone system and is harmful to coral reefs.
WHAT DOES SPF MEAN?
SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is the measurement of protection against UVB rays only. To be sure you are protected from BOTH types of rays, choose a sunscreen that says it’s Broad-Spectrum.
WHAT DOES THE SPF # MEAN?
The SPF # is an indicator of how much longer it takes for skin to burn WITH sunscreen compared to WITHOUT sunscreen. For example, SPF30 provides 30x more protection than wearing NO sunscreen. However higher doesn’t always mean better! Studies have found that anything over SPF50 does not significantly improve protection (e.g. SPF30 blocks about 97% of UVB rays while SPF50 blocks about 98%).
WHAT ABOUT WATER RESISTANCE?
In the summer, most of the time we’re exposed to the sun we are also exposed to water from swimming or sweating. So choosing a water-resistant formula is a good idea. Most water-resistant sunscreens come in 2 levels, effective for up to 40 or 80 min in the water. Remember to err on the side of caution when re-applying; depending on circumstances the product can wash off sooner, so it is recommended to go with the shorter time frame for reapplication.
HOW MUCH SUNSCREEN SHOULD I APPLY?
Turns out most of us simply don’t use enough to get the advertised protection. At least one ounce (a shot glass full) is the recommended amount to cover an “average” adult body, and depending on height/size some of us will need more. For the face and neck the equivalent of ½ a teaspoon or the size of a nickel is recommended.
HOW OFTEN DO I NEED TO APPLY IT?
It is important to reapply at least every 2 hours regardless of the SPF#. In fact, studies have shown that people who use higher SPFs tend to reapply less often and are thus more at risk for harm from the sun. Mineral sunscreens usually need to be reapplied more frequently, and if you are being active, going in the water, or toweling off you will need to reapply more frequently regardless of sunscreen type.
DO THEY REALLY EXPIRE? YES! Sunscreens lose their efficacy over time, especially when exposed to sun and heat (which they usually are). Once opened, the shelf life is around 1-2 years, but follow the expiration date printed on the bottle.
SO HOW TO CHOOSE?
The ingredients in mineral sunscreens, Zinc oxide and Titanium dioxide, are the only two ingredients the FDA considers “Generally Recognized As Safe and Effective (GRASE)”. So with an abundance of choices and advancements in formulations, I recommend choosing mineral options whenever possible. They are less likely to cause irritations or breakouts, and are safe for all skin types including sensitive. Here are some of my favorites, both mineral and chemical (because we don’t always have access to a mineral option and any sunscreen is better than none!).
Face:
- Mineral: La Roche Posay Anthelios SPF 50 Gentle Lotion Mineral Sunscreen,
- Chemical: Black Girl Sunscreen creates several great formulas, I especially love the Make it Matte SPF 45 gel.
Tinted Face:
- Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 has a wide range of shades and blends seamlessly.
Waterproof Face:
- Freaks of Nature Peak Performance Sunscreen Stick SPF 50.
Lip:
- Supergoop Play! Lip balm SPF30 or Elta MD UV Lip SPF 36 for a waterproof option. For Tinted protection try Ultra Violette Sheen Screen SPF 50 Hydrating Lip Balm.
Body:
- Mineral: One Skin Triple Power OS-O1 Body SPF 30+
- Chemical: Coola Clear Sunscreen Spray SPF50
Waterproof Body:
- Mineral: Blue Lizard Sport Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
- Chemical: KINeSYS Clear Spray Sunscreen SPF 50
On-the-Go/Touch-up:
- Mineral: Color Science Sunforgettable SPF50
- Chemical: ShiSeido UV Clear Stick Protector SPF50.
I love both because they don’t interfere with makeup and can be layered on anytime.
Scalp/Hair:
Why use a separate sunscreen for your scalp/hair? Some of the chemicals found in traditional spray sunscreens can react with hair color (especially blondes) turning it orange or pink. Yikes! This is an important area to remember as it’s often neglected, and especially important for the Guys who are sans hair there.
- RHRI Premium SPF30 Hair Sunscreen Spray, for both hair and scalp protection this spray dries quickly and doesn’t leave any white cast or greasiness.
- Supergoop! Poof 100% Mineral Part Powder SPF35 is a powder formula for scalp specifically and great for travel (*can leave a slight white cast on darker hair).
For longer beach/pool days Lazartigue Solar Protect Hair Protective water SPF50+ nourishes and protects the hair with a scent that’s purely summer.
Sun Pills/Powders:
The idea of taking a magic pill to protect against sun damage? While there isn’t extensive data on internal sun pills/powders claims, this is a new market that stands to be watched. If you decide to try one of the options out there like CantabriaLabs Heliocare 360 or Sunpowder make sure to still use a proven Sun Protection method.
For the Guys
Men generally have different skin care needs than women. That’s because their higher testosterone levels result in thicker, more oily skin, and they typically sweat more than women, which contributes to a higher tendency for acne and clogged pores. They naturally have more collagen than women (approximately 25%!) which leads to a firmer appearance of the skin. However when the skin elasticity starts to diminish it can be more noticable and there’s the potential for deeper wrinkles and more noticeable sagging, especially in areas like the eyes. Facial hair and shaving also create a need for specific care in those areas. Products have to penetrate through the hair follicles, and there is more potential for irritation such as ingrown hairs and razor burn from shaving.
Now that we understand why men have different skin care needs, let’s take a look at general men’s skincare tips and the best products for the guys in our lives. Keep in mind that skincare is always individual and so take into account factors like age, skin type and lifestyle.
Face Wash + Shaving:
- Kizo Labs Moisture Renewal Cleanser + Shave does double duty as a cleanser and moisturizing shave cream. For the most sensitive skin Perricone MD Hypoallergenic CBD Sensitive Skin Therapy Ultra-Smooth Clean Shave Cream features calming CBD to soothe right away.
Aftershave:
- Ilem Japan After Shave Mist for Men tackles, soothes and prevents ingrown hairs and razor burn in a convenient lightweight mist.
Exfoliants:
Just add water to Jaxon Lane Shake and Wake Enzyme Powder Face Wash for an exfoliation gentle enough to use every day.
For a more intense weekly treatment try Kizo Lab Volcanic Scrub + Mask.
Toner:
- Papatui Rejuvenating Toner refreshes skin without drying it out.
Moisturizers + Serums:
- Lab Series All in One Face Treatment covers all your basic needs. Need a little more TLC? I love Lab Series Max LS lotion. Want something that does double duty? Try Kizo Liquid Hydration Moisturizer + Serum.
Moisturizer with SPF:
We went over this earlier- it’s recommended to use SPF separate from your moisturizer because we generally don’t apply the correct amount that is recommended for SPF coverage. However a lot of the guys I know want simplicity in their routine and won’t use an SPF separately daily. If that’s the case for the guy in your life I recommend Jaxon Lane Rain or Shine Daily Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 50
Eye cream:
- Horace Under-Eye Moisturizer tackles dark circles + puffiness and has refillable packaging making it a breeze to stay stocked up.
- On the go: Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Eye De-Puffer is compact and cooling- great anytime you need a little pick me up.
- Eye Mask: Jaxon Lane Bro Mask Eye Gels- these will be the gift your guy didn’t know he needed!
Lip balm:
- Jack Black Lip Balm SPF 25 with a variety of “flavors”, spf and a matte finish, this lip balm does it all.
- Lip Scrub: Repose USA Sugar Lip Scrub.
Anti Shine:
- Menaji Liquid Powder Shine Eliminator removes and prevents shine invisibly and effortlessly and is great for the head and face. I also like YSL Beauty Nu Blotting Lotion which reduces the appearance of pores while mattifying.
We covered a lot and I hope this has helped you feel excited and prepared for the summer months ahead wherever they may take you!
