While I’m Away: PCA Recommendations for Skin Cancer Awareness Month

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. And that doesn’t mean we stop being aware during the other 11 months. Make sure you’re ready for the sun. And check out some recommendations from PCA…

Skin Cancer Awareness Month

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and PCA Skin wants to remind you to keep your skin safe this spring and summer! Check out these facts from PCA and The Skin Cancer Foundation:

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends both adults and children use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Each of PCA Skin’s five new sunscreens is formulated with an SPF 30 or above and contains both UVA and UVB protection in alignment with the new Skin Cancer Foundation Seal of Recommendation requirements.

Researchers found that the daily application of sunscreen to the head, neck, arms, and hands reduced melanoma incidence by half in study participants. PCA SKIN Protecting Hydrator SPF 30, Perfecting Protection SPF 30, Hydrator Plus SPF 30 and Weightless Protection SPF 45 are all considered “Daily Use” products, and are intended to protect consumers from incidental sun exposure.

The easiest way to know if a sunscreen provides proper protection is to look for The Skin Cancer Foundation's Seal of Recommendation on the label and following the FDA guidelines. PCA Skin Active Very Water/Sweat Resistant SPF 45 features the FDA approval of a "very water resistant" product, meaning it maintains SPF after 80 minutes of water immersion. The typical water resistant sunscreen only lasts for 40 minutes.

Thursday Dash: PCA Protecting Hydrator & Hydrator Plus (SPF 30) (review)

(edit: it turns out I didn't need to dash at all because Blogger was down until just a few minutes ago)

Tonight is a mad dash because I spent all evening in a class. It was just a one-time thing, thank goodness. Since I stopped all the opera-related stuff, I’ve really gotten used to having my evenings free. They still get filled up, but in a more spontaneous, fun way. Eventually I’m going to need some kind of musical creative outlet; but for now, even that one little time commitment felt like a burden.

So…back to the dashing. Here's some fine hydration and protection from PCA Skin.

Protecting Hydrator (SPF 30) – For Normal to Oily Skin Types

Blurb: This non-oily daily hydrator with SPF is formulated with aloe vera and panthenol to provide light moisture with a matte finish. It provides optimal broad-spectrum UVA/UVB coverage with the ultra-sheer protective benefits of Z-Cote and additional sunscreen agents. Caffeine enhances photo-protection by suppressing sun-induced cellular damage, while the powerful antioxidant silybum marianum extract, also known as milk thistle, inhibits the formation of sunburn cells and prevents UVB-induced edema.

Hydrator Plus (SPF 30) – For Dry and Mature Skin Types

Blurb: This nourishing moisturizer with SPF is formulated with an outstanding blend of UV protecting ingredients, including Z-Cote, an effective barrier that provides superior broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection. It is specifically formulated to replenish the skin’s natural moisture content with water-attracting humectants sodium hyaluronate and sodium PCA for dry or dehydrated skin. The addition of caffeine reduces UV-induced cellular damage, while silybum marianum extract, also known as milk thistle, inhibits sun-induced inflammation and the formation of sunburn cells.

You already know I’m a big fan of sunscreen (understatement). And now I’m a big fan of these sunscreens. PCA makes products that do an excellent job of zeroing on specific skin needs, then consistently delivering results.

Both of these contain over 4% zinc oxide, as well as caffeine, milk thistle and panthenol. The Hydrator Plus also contains sodium hyaluronate, glycerine and vitamin E. Both worked beautifully when I tried them. The formula smoothed on easily, absorbed quickly and left no white cast. And it dried down to an invisible primer-quality finish. The new packaging (a pump) is well made, and made the bottles very portable. The Hydrator Plus provided more moisturizing for a longer time, but both did a good job of hydrating without causing oiliness.

I have yet to try these in our full-blast Philly summer weather; but so far I am super impressed.

Take a stroll through the website. You can also check out some of the other moisturizers with SPF, then visit the Skin Education section. PCA's products and treatments are available through select clinical practices throughout the United States and in 60 countries worldwide. I also found them at drugstore.com, Dermstore and Beauty Bridge.

(ftc disclosure: sample/product received from manufacturer or representative)

Cleaning Up! PCA Skin Creamy Cleanser (review)

Ugh! I've spent all day cleaning up loose ends...again. I definitely cheered up since yesterday; but I can't believe I'm still not finished! How can this be?

Today's desperately needed beauty break is also going to be about cleaning up. The good kind. Thanks to PCA Skin.

Creamy Cleanser

Blurb: This gentle, hydrating cleanser will effectively remove dirt, debris and makeup without stripping skin of essential moisture. A nourishing blend of rose hip seed oil, aloe and amino acids infuses skin with antioxidant and cell-regenerating benefits for radiant, younger-looking skin.

This is fabulous, feel-good, get-the-job done skincare. I really wish there was a version of this product for other parts of my life. (But since there isn't; I'll spend a bit of time appreciating this particular Cleanser. )

For one thing, it cleans extremely well. Without scrubbing, it got rid of every speck of makeup (including my waterproof mascara). It was also incredibly gentle (even soothing). It rinsed easily (and quickly), and left my skin soft, refreshed and balanced. The key ingredients are yucca extract, rose hip seed oil and sunflower seed oil – which may have something to do with why my skin felt so good after washing. It was great on my combination skin; and I suspect it would be amazing for anyone whose skin might be dry or sensitive.

Take a look at the website. There's a huge selection of wonderful products to pamper and nurture your skin. And one of the best things I've come across is PCA's Skin Education section. PCA's products and treatments are available through select clinical practices throughout the United States and in 60 countries worldwide. (I've also seen this cleanser at Dermstore and Beauty Bridge.)
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(ftc disclosure: sample/product received from manufacturer or representative)

Friday The 13th Fun: So You Think You Can Dance and PCA SKIN

Yay – one of my favorite shows (SYTYCD) and one of my favorite subjects (skincare)! Check out Heather Cummings' awesome tip…

So You Think You Can Dance Skincare!

Do you love “So You Think You Can Dance” as much as we do? We went straight to the hit show’s key makeup artist Heather Cummings to find out what she uses on the skin of this season’s rising stars. The answer? PCA SKIN products!

“I love the PCA SKIN Creamy Cleanser because it is gentle and hydrating and perfect for our dancers’ sensitive skin. It effectively removes dirt, debris and makeup without stripping their skin of essential moisture.” – Heather Cummings, Key Makeup Artist on “So You Think You Can Dance”.

PCA SKIN Creamy Cleanser is $25. Available at www.skinstore.com, www.dermstore.com and through licensed skincare professionals.
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Protect the Pretty: Jane Iredale, Cetaphil, PCA, Dickinson's and Bio-Oil

It's awesome that there are so many products these days to keep our skin looking great while protecting it from the sun. (The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends a sunscreen with an SPF 15 or higher.) Check out some new suggestions I got!

Sun Protection from Head to Toe

Sun Protection Face Makeup: Why not add another layer to your sunscreen with face makeup that contains an SPF.

Try: jane iredale’s Amazing Base and PurePressed Base, mineral foundations with an SPF of 20 and Dream Tint, a daily tinted moisturizer with an SPF of 15. These products are now recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Lip Protection: Don’t forget the lips! This is a common place on the body to neglect when going on the sun.

Try: jane iredale’s Lip Drink, a colorless, moisturizing, protective lip balm in a base of macadamia nut oil. Recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation this lip balm has an SPF of 15 and provides broad spectrum protection.

Touch Up’s: Don’t just apply and hope for the best. Continue to touch up your sunscreen throughout the day – especially when indulging in outdoor lunch breaks.

Try: jane iredale’s Powder-Me SPF in Tanned and Translucent, an all-over face and body powder recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation helping protect against both UVB and UVA rays with an SPF 30 and a very water-resistant rating.

Protect the Face: It is vital to always use a facial moisturizer with an SPF year round.

Try: Cetaphil’s UVA/UVB SPF 50, a non-greasy, fragrance free, daily facial moisturizer for all skin types. The press tube application allows consumers to properly measure the amount of protection they apply to their face.

Protect the Body: At least 20 minutes before heading outdoors cover your entire body with a sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays.

Try: PCA SKIN’s Hydrator Plus SPF 25, a nourishing sunscreen moisturizer formulated with aloe and vitamins A, C and E for normal, dry and mature skin types. This sunscreen is recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation and protects against UVA and UVB rays.

And for those who are actually listening to the rules of the sun protection and choose to avoid the sun all together then may want to self tan! Here are two products that are great for before and after self tanner.

Prepping for Self Tanner: Apply self tanner to a non-cleansed skin is a no no! It’s vital to make sure after bathing or cleansing that all dirt and makeup is removed from your skin to avoid unwanted marks.

Try: Dickinson’s Original Witch Hazel Pore Perfecting Toner and Daily Facial Towelettes. These products are the only 100 percent all natural Witch Hazel formula is non-drying and helps remove excess dirt and imperfections from the skin.

Keep the Self Tan Glowing: Moisturizing a self tan is just as important as moisturizing a real tan!

Try: Bio-Oil, is a water based moisturizer that helps lock in moisturizer much better then the traditional lotion.
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