Go Orange for Melanoma Monday! Sun Safety with Neutrogena...

I'm not gonna lie, until I had children, I honestly didn't pay much attention to sun protection. I guess I took for granted that my brown skin was not susceptible to the dangers of the sun. But all three of my girls are much more fair than I AND I am far more knowledgeable than I once was-I no longer mistakenly believe that those with darker skin are immune to sun damage. So I was happy to receive a selection of Neutrogena sun care products to review, as well as to have the opportunity to share some information about these products, as well as sun safety in general. 

My little ones spend quite a lot of time in the sun in the warm weather months, and expose a lot of skin. They've learned at an early age that sunscreen is an important part of our routine if we plan on leaving the house. I prefer to use a spray formula with them-it makes application so quick and easy. 

Did you know... the sun is actually brighter now than it was four centuries ago?

The sun is getting brighter, there is less protective ozone and people are spending more time outdoors. And, due to global climate changes, the spring season starts earlier and fall arrives later. This means we are exposed to more dangerous UV rays now than in earlier decades. 

Whether you believe in climate change or not, we can all agree that there have been dramatic seasonal shifts in weather patterns, and they can have a huge impact on the health of your skin.

UV exposure increases by about 33% for every 20% ozone layer lost? The end result is about 33% more skin cancers. In fact, one in five Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer this year.

Melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, is also the most preventable type of cancer but is still on the rise. You can help raise awareness by wearing ORANGE on,  “Melanoma Monday,” Monday, May 6.

Whether you’re at the beach or just sitting near a window in your office, applying sunscreen regularly is vital to maintaining healthy skin, and it can actually save your life. Before you head to your drugstore, though, it’s important to know that not all sunscreens are created equal. Here's some helpful information about some of the sunscreens Neutrogena has to offer:

1. NEUTROGENA Clear Face Liquid Lotion Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 (MSRP $8.79): Specially designed to provide superior sun protection without causing breakouts on acne-prone skin. {I use this after moisturizer and before primer}.

2. NEUTROGENA Wet Skin Kids Lotion Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45+ (MSRP $9.99): Developed with a technology that is designed to cut through water to apply directly to wet skin with minimal whitening or dripping off. (NEUTROGENA Wet Skin Sunscreens are the first-ever water-resistant sunscreens specifically designed to adhere to and protect wet skin, dampened by swimming, sweating or humid weather, making it easier than ever to apply and reapply. Wet Skin Sunscreens with HELIOPLEX Technology instantly cut through water to form a superior broad spectrum protective barrier.)

3. NEUTROGENA Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen (MSRP $9.79): Stabilized with Helioplex Technology, providing superior balanced broad-spectrum protection against UVA-aging and UVB-burning rays in an ultra-light, non-greasy finish. {This is one of my absolute favorite sunscreens. It's quick and easy to apply and reapply-I can even get my hubby to let me spray it on him!}

4. NEUTROGENA Beach Defense Sunscreen Lotion Broad Spectrum (MSRP $9.99) : Provides beach strength broad spectrum UVA/UVB sun protection in a lightweight, fast absorbing formula, ideal for outdoor skin protection of the active family. {This will definitely be well used when it is finally warm enough to hit our neighborhood pool!}


Did you know that not all broad spectrum sunscreens offer the same protection benefits? Neutrogena sunscreens with Helioplex Technology meet and exceed the FDA standards to provide superior broad spectrum protection with the ideal balance of UVA and UVB protection to match the sun’s damage profile. I also really like the unique Dry-Touch technology utilized in the Ultra Sheer sunscreen-it gives broad spectrum sun protection with high SPF, but feels more like a light weight moisturizer than a traditional sunscreen {which can feel tacky, sticky, and greasy}. Another really important feature from Neutrogena {especially for those of us dealing with kiddies or sensitive skin} is Purescreen Technology- a blend of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, two naturally sourced ingredients known to be gentle on sensitive skin.

So as you can see, all sunscreens are not created equally and Neutrogena really offers a variety of formulas that will suit the needs of one and all! Please make sure that you are always protecting yourself and your loved ones, regardless of your skin tone, the weather, or the season. Until next time...