sunscreen Archives - London Drugs Blog

Summer Skin Care

It’s a beautiful day outside, and the sun is shining down on you, warming your skin to the perfect temperature. Like the plants and animals around us, we need the sun to survive—but exposure to the sun has a dark side, too. Extended exposure to sunlight, especially during childhood, can cause significant skin damage.

Sunlight travels through the air as ultraviolet radiation (UV rays). There are several different types of UV rays. UVA rays play a role in causing skin damage such as wrinkling and premature aging of the skin, and they have also been associated with causing skin cancer. UVB rays are mostly to blame for sunburn and are closely linked with the development of skin cancer. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect yourself from skin damage and still enjoy the sun. Here are some tips that can help.

• Limit the amount of time you spend outdoors when the sun’s rays are most intense—usually between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

• Look for shade. A good guideline to use is that if your shadow is shorter than you are, move into the shade. Babies under six months of age should always be in the shade and their skin should be covered.

• Wear protective clothing and sunglasses. A long-sleeve shirt, long pants, and a hat will help protect your skin from the sun’s rays. Choose sunglasses that provide 99% to 100% UV absorption to protect your eyes.

• Always wear sunscreen on any exposed skin when you go outdoors—all year round, every day, even when it’s cloudy. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that provides protection against both UVA and UVB rays, and make sure it has a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. Apply 30 mL (1 oz.) of sunscreen—about enough to fill a shot glass—to your whole body 15 to 30 minutes before going outdoors. Reapply more sunscreen to your body every two hours, or every hour if you are swimming or sweating. If you need help selecting a sunscreen, your London Drugs pharmacy team will be happy to help you.

• Use a lip balm or lipstick that contains a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher

• Be especially careful around water and sand, because these surfaces can reflect the sun’s rays, increasing your chances of getting a sunburn.

• Be aware of medication side effects. Some medicines can make you more sensitive to the sun. Your London Drugs pharmacists can let you know if any of the medicines you take could have this effect.

Your summer skin care routine

Your daily skin care routine needs to be adjusted as the seasons change. As the temperature rises and the humidity increases, our skin begins to produce more oil for protection, but the oil can get stuck on the skin surface, clogging pores and making skin feel greasy. Blocked pores can lead to acne breakouts, the most common skin problem that occurs in summer. Wash your face with a deep cleansing facial wash suited to your skin type.

If you choose to exfoliate your skin, do it gently. Choose a method and product made for your skin type. If not done properly, exfoliation can cause more harm than good, leading to skin damage or acne breakouts. Always follow exfoliation with a moisturizer. If you are not sure if exfoliation is right for you, speak to your pharmacist, family doctor, or dermatologist first.

Keeping your skin hydrated is key all summer long. Drinking about eight 250 mL (8 oz.) glasses of water daily will also help maintain the moisture balance of your body and your skin. You may require more or less water depending on your activities for the day, your general health, and how much caffeine you consume.

Use a moisturizer to protect your skin and choose one based on your skin type. Look for creams and lotions that are unscented, non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores), and consider those with sunscreen if it will be used on exposed skin. For best absorption, apply the moisturizer immediately after you bathe.

Remember your eyes and lips. Sunglasses with larger lenses can help protect the delicate skin around your eyes from the sun’s harmful rays. If your lipstick does not provide SPF protection, apply a lip balm with SPF protection under your lipstick.

Gently scrub your feet to exfoliate and apply moisturizer and sunscreen to them daily, especially if you wear sandals or open-toed shoes.

Don’t sweat it!

Summer sun brings summer sweat and the odour that comes with it. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to minimize or eliminate excessive sweating.

• Look for clothes made from breathable fabrics to help you stay cool.

• Limit or avoid eating spicy foods, because they raise overall body temperature, and the body’s response is to create sweat to help us cool down.

• Stay hydrated. Drinking cold water will help your body stay cool and reduce sweating.

• Deodorants to help control or mask odours and antiperspirants to control sweating or wetness are especially desirable in warmer weather. Look for a product that has a gentle formula and feels good on your skin.

If you need any assistance choosing summer skin care products, our pharmacists and beauty advisors are always here to help you.

Winter Skin Care Tips

As winter approaches, it becomes especially important to pay attention to skin care. The combination of cold, dry weather outside and indoor air that is dry and heated can damage our skin’s health. Winter weather dries out the skin and makes it less elastic and more fragile and prone to cracking. Skin that is dry wrinkles more easily, and dry skin is more likely to produce complications such as chronic eczema (red patches) or bleeding from cracks that may become infected. Fortunately, there are some things we can do to protect our skin and help keep the dewy, hydrated glow your skin had before the arrival of winter.

Hydration

The goal of your winter skin care program should be to keep as much moisture in your skin as possible. Start by limiting the number of long, hot showers and baths you take. Use warm rather than hot water, and don’t spend longer than necessary in the water. It may seem odd, but water does not moisturize skin. In fact, water repels oil, and it causes our skin to lose its natural oils. Limit yourself to a single five- to ten-minute bath or shower a day.

Avoid using deodorant soaps, perfumed soaps, and products that contain alcohol, because they, too, can rob the skin of its natural oils. Wash with a light touch; don’t use bath sponges or scrub brushes. If you use a wash cloth, use it gently.

Once you are out of the water, apply a moisturizer with skin-softening ingredients to your skin while it is still damp. This will help seal the moisturizer into your skin. To reduce any greasy feeling from thick creams, rub a small amount between your hands and then apply it to the rest of your body. Using a humidifier indoors can also help ensure that there is enough moisture in the air to keep skin hydrated.

Choosing Skin Care Products

The skin care products you use in the warmer weather may not be appropriate in the winter. The key is to select gentler products, such as a gentle cleanser that won’t strip away moisture from your skin. Don’t choose cleansers and soaps that contain harsh chemicals, alcohol, or fragrances. You should also
look for fragrance-free laundry detergents and avoid fabric softeners. Winter air also dries out the skin on your scalp, leading to itching and dandruff. You can treat this problem by selecting the right products. Look for a shampoo and conditioner that are soap-free and designed to remove dirt and build-up while hydrating your scalp and conditioning your hair. If you need more relief, you may want to apply a scalp relief serum as well. A good moisturizer is especially important in the winter, but the one you use in the summer may not provide enough protection for your skin once the air becomes colder and drier. If you are using a lotion and your skin still feels dry, consider switching to a cream.

Don’t forget your hands and lips. Applying a hand cream after each washing can help keep the skin on your hands soft and help prevent dry, cracked skin, and a moisturizing balm applied to the lips can help keep them from chapping and cracking. If you need help selecting products that are right for your skin, your London Drugs beauty consultants will be happy to help you.

Don’t Forget the Sunscreen

Think sunscreen is only for the summer? Wrong! It is extremely important to use a sunscreen all year long. Not only will it help keep your skin from looking prematurely old, it will also help prevent the damage that the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause. Snow reflects up to 80% of the sun’s rays, so going outdoors in the winter could expose you to nearly a double dose of skin-damaging radiation. When choosing a sunscreen, look for a product with a minimum SPF (sun protection factor) of 30. A sunscreen that is labelled “broad spectrum” will protect against both UVB rays (the ones that cause sunburn) and UVA rays (which penetrated deeper into the skin and are responsible for premature aging and contribute to the development of skin cancer). Don’t forget to protect your lips with a lip balm that has an SPF of 30, and reapply it every hour.

Dress for the Cold

Some fabrics used in cold weather clothing can be rough and scratchy. To prevent irritation, it is best to keep these fabrics away from direct contact with your skin. Instead, wear light layers of clothing made from soft materials against you skin and add layers of heavier materials on top. Protect your hands with gloves or mittens. Wearing wet clothes, socks, or shoes can irritate skin, so be sure to change out of wet clothing as soon as possible. If you still experience skin dryness and irritation after taking precautions, your London Drugs pharmacists can guide you in selecting an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream that can help. If you don’t see improvement after a few days, you may need a prescription-strength moisturizer. Our pharmacists will be happy to answer any questions you may have about these products.

Sun Safety for the Outdoors

Gardeners, golfers, and other participants in outdoor sports often become the victims of too much sun and too little protection.

Applying sunscreen and reapplying it at regular intervals, is reasonably easy to remember when outdoors. Always apply 20 minutes or so before exposure, reapplying at two-hour intervals, and again after getting wet.

Reapplying sunscreen during being active outdoors is often overlooked. The fact that we sweat heavily during exercising, which dilutes the sun protection we have applied, spells double trouble.

Pointers for staying sun safe outdoors

Golfers: Choose a high SPF sunscreen (minimum SPF 30) and reapply after nine holes. Seek out shade whenever possible. Wear a broad-brimmed hat and make sure to protect your neck.
Runners, and cyclists: Choose sweat-resistant or water-resistant sunscreen and remember to reapply after heavy perspiration.
Gardeners: Ensure you garden before 11 am or after 3 pm to avoid sun exposure at its strongest. Wearing long pants and sleeves in dark colors and tightly woven fabrics can also protect from the sun’s rays. You can even consider sun-protection clothing to further block UV exposure.

Most people do not apply enough sunscreen to reach the level of SPF indicated on the packaging. For adequate protection, you should apply two to three tablespoons of sunscreen over your body (approximately one and a half shot glasses) and a teaspoon on your face before going outside.

Whichever sunscreen you choose, be sure that it provides protection against both UVB and UVA rays. (Most sunscreens that offer this protection will say broad spectrum on the packaging.) UVA light penetrates more deeply into the skin, contributing to the risk of skin cancers.

The high-pressure sunlamps used in tanning salons emit doses of UVA as much as 12 times that received from the sun. As a result, people who use tanning salons are significantly more likely to develop skin cancer. Research also suggests that first exposure to tanning beds during the teens or 20s increases lifetime melanoma risk by 75 per cent.

Staying Safe in the Sun

Be sure to check the Environment Canada UV Index, which is published in most daily newspapers alongside the weather forecast. On days when the UV Index reaches 3 or more (moderate), you need to be extra careful to protect your skin.
Avoid sun exposure between 11 am and 3 pm.
Seek shade whenever possible.
Wear a wide-brimmed sunhat and sunglasses.
Reapply your sunscreen frequently (at least every two hours and always after swimming or taking a dip).
Avoid tanning and tanning beds.
Examine your skin from head to toe monthly. Look for moles that have an irregular border, or are non-symmetrical; that are more than one shade or colour, or are greater than 6 mm in diameter. Also be aware of moles that change in size, shape or colour. Report any such changes to your doctor.

Shop for Hot Weather Needs:

Reminder: Widely-used medications can make skin vulnerable to sunlight, may cause severe sunburn or rashes

Before heading outdoors this summer, our pharmacists are reminding you to be aware of sun-sensitizing drugs. Widely-used over-the-counter and prescription medications – such as antibiotics, sulfa-containing medications, and acne treatments – can make skin more vulnerable to sunlight, increasing the risk of sunburn, and in some cases, make the skin photosensitive. This photosensitivity can cause photoallergic or phototoxic reactions to the sun’s UV rays, in the form of painful and itchy rashes, or even blisters and sunburns.

Phototoxic reactions are the most common and result in a sunburn-like rash within minutes or hours of the medication interacting with UV rays. Meanwhile, photoallergic reactions can develop days after sun exposure. They occur when UV rays trigger chemical changes, resulting in the body reacting to the medication as if it is an allergen. Side effects include a red, itchy, scaly rash and in severe cases, blisters. Reactions are somewhat unpredictable and can be a one-time occurrence, or it can happen each time the drug is taken and sun exposure occurs.

Be Proactive About Sun Protection

Everyone should be proactive about protecting themselves from the sun, but for those on sun-sensitizing drugs, it’s even more critical. Wearing protective clothing and applying sunscreen regularly are two important measures.

If you’re taking sun-sensitizing medications, you can also reduce your likelihood of a reaction by planning sun exposure for earlier or later in the day to avoid the sun’s rays when they are strongest.

For advice on sun safety and sun-sensitizing medications, visit us at any London Drugs location to speak with a pharmacist.

Sunscreen Tips & the Best Self-Tanners for a Healthy Glow

Get that gorgeous golden glow, without damaging your skin! Our Beauty Advisor Amanda will introduce you to her favourite self-tanning products to help you achieve a natural-looking tan safely. Plus, she’ll share her top tips for choosing the right sunscreen and applying it properly, so your skin will be protected against the harmful rays of the summer sun.

Products Featured:

Other Products Recommended by Amanda:

Subscribe to London Drugs on YouTube and stay tuned for more beauty videos!

Suncare Tips for Protecting Your Skin & Getting a Healthy Glow

It’s nice to have a beautiful golden tan over the summer months, but it’s important to also protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays! Our Beauty Advisor Amanda shares her top tips for choosing the right sunscreen and applying it properly. Plus she introduces her favourite self-tanning products to help you achieve a natural-looking tan safely.

For a limited time, receive special bonuses on the suncare and luxury self-tanning products featured here. Buy 2, Get $10 off all Avène, La Roche Posay and Vichy suncare products with online coupon code SUNCARE10 or in-store coupon. Additionally, with a minimum $50 purchase of luxury cosmetics (excluding sets), receive a $10 Instant Bonus with online coupon code LUXURYSAVE10 or in-store coupon. These offers are valid from July 1st – July 15th.

Products Featured:

Other Products Recommended by Amanda:

Subscribe to London Drugs on YouTube and stay tuned for more beauty videos!

7 Resolutions for Beauty Buffs

The New Year is a time to look back on the past year, reminisce and maybe resolve to make positive changes. That includes ditching bad beauty habits. London Drugs Beauty Advisors have rounded up the top beauty resolutions from developing a good skincare regimen to tossing expired makeup.

Invest in a good skincare regimen

It’s time to take better care of your skin. This year, invest in a quality skincare regimen that will keep your skin healthy and looking great. NeoStrata’s Glycolic Renewal and Night Repair creams will exfoliate dead skin cells for more radiant and younger looking skin. If you have dry, sensitive, or acne-prone skin, try one of Bioderma’s skincare lines which will target your specific skin concern.

The right tools can also improve your skincare routine dramatically. The Philips PureRadiance Facial Cleansing System is 10 times more effective than hand cleansing, thanks to its vibrating and rotating brush.