Learn About Natural Skin Care and Health in JUARA Skincare’s Blog

Breast Cancer – What do I need to know? – Jill Sung

Breast Exam: Anatomy

It’s National Breast Cancer Awareness Month! And besides knowing that I need to do self exams and that JUARA is donating funds from sales for this important issue

Some Diagnosis Tips: Self Exam

If you’re 20 years old and above, it’s good to start self-examining now. The most common signs of breast cancer are below, however, we should keep in mind that not all lumps or changes mean one has breast cancer…these are just common signs to watch for – if found, go to your doctor. An easy self-exam video: Breast Cancer Self-Exam Video

a lump in the breast
abnormal thickening of the breast, or
a change in the shape, size, or color of the breast
less common but also signs
- Dimpling or puckering of the skin
- Swelling, redness or warmth that does not go away
- Pain in one spot that does not vary with your monthly cycle
- Pulling in of the nipple
- Nipple discharge that starts suddenly and appears only in one breast
- An itchy, sore or scaling area on one nipple

Should I get a Mammogram?

The rules I’ve learned are that one should receive mammograms once a year at age 40 and beyond. But this past November 2009, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (and pay attention ladies, because this may affect insurance coverage) stated that women with an average chance of breast cancer should receive biennial mammograms between the age of 50 and 74. (If you have a greater chance because a family member had breast cancer or have clinical signs, etc. you should consult your doctor and discuss the best preventive practice.) For women between the age of 40 and 49, the USPSTF recommended against annual screenings because of the risk of radiation exposure, false-positive/negative results, overdiagnosis, pain during procedures, and anxiety, distress…Despite these rulings, many of the organizations that support breast cancer awareness are still evaluating the decision of when to start preventive mammogram screenings. So please keep in mind that you should, with the help of your physician, assess your risk for breast cancer and be preventive accordingly. (Interestingly, the USPSTF also recommended against breast self-exam…but the jury was out on self-exam by supporting organizations as well).

I think that’s it for now, we’ll talk more about the risks, etc. next time. How many of you out there do yearly self-exams? Why? Any tips?

Beauty & Skincare / Health & Fitness / Lifestyle — No comments
01
Oct 10

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: JUARA partners with CEW Foundation’s Cancer & Careers

When I was in my 20s, I would barely notice as October’s Breast Cancer Awareness month come and go. When you are young and blessed with good health, you feel invincible, especially if your peers close to you are healthy too. Then, a former class mate of mine from grad school fell ill suddenly with breast cancer. She was in her early 30s, a normal healthy mother to 2 adorable little kids… no family history of breast cancer or any other known risk factors what-so-ever. Fortunately treatment was successful and she remains cancer-free so far, but that’s when it hit me that breast cancer, as well as many other common forms of cancer, is quite random: Any woman, young or old, risk factors or not, can get it. That’s why it is so important for all of us help raise awareness and help in the fight against breast cancer. As entrepreneurs we believe in self-empowerment and in taking charge of our destiny. The notion of empowerment is key in the fight against breast cancer as well, so we are very excited to announce that JUARA has partnered with CEW Cancer and Careers.

From October through December 2010. JUARA will be donating 10% of their proceeds from sales of the Turmeric Antioxidant Radiance Mask on JUARA’s online boutique www.juaraskincare.com to Cancer and Careers.

JUARA’s Turmeric Antioxidant Radiance Mask is a wet clay mask that strengthens skin’s defenses and brightens skin with a unique Turmeric complex that acts as a powerful antioxidant and is clinically proven to be effective. Over time skin will become brighter, stronger, and healthier. We chose this mask for Breast Cancer Awareness Month because Turmeric is such a key ingredient in Indonesian herbal medicine to maintain health and well-being.

Cancer and Careers’ mission is to empower and educate people with cancer to thrive in their workplace by providing expert advice, interactive tools and educational events. To learn more visit www.cancerandcareers.org.

- YOSHIKO ROTH

Beauty & Skincare / Health & Fitness / Products — 2 comments
23
Sep 10

Treating adult acne the natural way – Yoshiko Roth-Hidalgo

When you are past your teens and still or again battling break-outs, you are in good company. One in five women between the ages of 25 and 40 suffers from adult acne. Adult acne is not different from teenage acne in that the same key factors are involved: Hormonal activity which has an effect on our oil glands, blocked pores, acne bacteria and inflammation. What makes adult acne tricky is that the skin of a person in his/ her 30s or 40s is different from teenage skin. Some people suffering from adult acne may not have oily skin, their skin might be more sensitive, and they are likely concerned about fighting skin aging.

One way to fight adult acne is with over-the-counter medicated products, but there are also a number of natural remedies that can effectively prevent and treat break-outs. Whether your skin is too sensitive to chemical acne-fighting agents or you are simply interested in alternative options, here are some tips and product recommendations for how to fight adult acne the natural way.

Nature’s solutions
A number of natural and botanical-based ingredients help with the causes and symptons of acne, including:

Naturally antibacterial and antiseptic: Willow bark, tea tree oil, ginger, green, white and black tea extracts.

Reduces redness and inflammation: green, white and black tea extracts, aloe

Exfoliates and free blocked pores: Manuka Honey, alpha hydroxyl acids from milk (lactic acid), fruit (fruit acid), apple (malic acid) and sugar (glycolic acid)

Reduces excess oil production: Avocutine, derived from avocados as well as pumpkin seed oil curbs sebum production in the pores.

Cleansers: Keep it gentle
Contrary to a stubborn myth, acne is NOT caused by dirty skin, so stay away from harsh cleansers that strip skin. In fact, dehydration can prompt your skin to produce even more oil and at the same time exacerbate the appearance of roughness, lines and wrinkles. Here are some good options:

Avene Cleanance Soapless Cleanser, 6.76 oz, $17: Contains Pumpkin Seed Oil to reduce excess sebum.

ARCONA Raspberry Acne Bar, 4 oz, $38: Contains lactic acid and fruit enzymes to exfoliate and free pores.

Toner/ Treatment: Look for multi-taskers
Be good to your skin by targeting breakouts as well as aging and other skin issues. If you use a toner, stay away from alcohol-based formulations that unnecessarily strip and dehydrate skin. Here are some good options:

Juara Tamarind Tea Hydrating Toner, 4.75 oz, $27: Contains green, white and black tea extract to combat acne bacteria and well as provide antioxidant benefits and reduce redness.

Boscia Willow Bark Breakout Treatment, 0.5 oz, $25: Contains natural antibacterial willow bark as well as Vitamin C and E for antioxidant protection.

Hydrate and fight aging
It’s tempting to not moisturize when you see pimples, but it’s important to keep skin hydrated, no matter what your skin type, even if you have break-outs. If you are concerned oiliness, choose an oil-free moisturizer with hyaluronic acid, which draws vital hydration to the skin without adding oil, while plumping lines and making skin supple.

Juara Sweet Black Tea & Ginger Mattefying Moisturizer, 2 oz, $48: Anti-aging & oil-control benefits in one. Contains fermented sweet black tea to reduce signs of aging, ginger to purify, hyaluronic acid to hydrate and avocutin to reduce excess sebum.

Astara Blue Flame Oil-Free Moisturizer, 2 oz, $42: Hydrates with hyaluronic acid and totara tree essence to purify, while soothing with aloe.

Put break-outs on the spot

Juice Beauty Blemish Be Gone, 0.27 oz, $15: Multiple natural alpha hydroxyl acids free blocked pores while Coenzyme Q10 helps fade discoloration from past breakouts.

Jurlique Blemish Cream, 0.5 oz, $28: Contains tea tree oil for antibacterial benefits. Plus the slightly tinted formulation helps cover up existing blemishes and redness.

bareMinerals RareMinerals Blemish Therapy, 0.07 oz, $28: A unique powder formulation applied with a makeup brush, that treats break-outs with tea tree oil, helps absorb excess oil and covers redness and blemishes.

Any natural acne products that you swear by? Let us know!

Beauty & Skincare / Health & Fitness / Uncategorized — 2 comments
15
Sep 10

Cleanse your Skin, Not your Moisture Barrier – Jill Sung

Why should I clean my face, you ask? I just use water, some say. What in fact do I need to clean? Your skin collects oily soils, dirt, sweat, and sebum (natural skin oils) throughout the day. And in fact, just using water removes only about 65% of the dirt and oils; it’s not even effective for removing makeup. Cleansers are designed to remove the dirt, grime and sebum from skin through the action of surfactants.

What Washing Does…

So when we wash our face, we’re really washing the top layer of the epidermis of our skin. That layer is composed of fat and protein structures that create the waterproof moisture barrier of the skin. But while this skin moisture barrier is protective, it also is great at trapping pollutants, smoke, bacteria, cellular debris, sweat and cosmetics. Unfortunately, washing off the embedded dirt with some cleansers also removes some of the outer protective film which can irritate skin.

Why not Soap?

So you use soap, not just water. If it’s worked for hundreds of years, why stop now? In fact, soap works by making fat and oil water-soluble (emulsifies) to be easily removed by wiping or washing. They reduce the surface tension of your skin with negatively charged agents that can act as possible irritants. These anionic molecules affect the natural moisturizing factors and remove the fat and protein structures of the epidermis which disrupt the protective barrier, irritate, and decrease skin smoothness. But also, soap salts are alkaline causing your skin to become more neutral in pH (which can happen with age as well), making your skin a better place for bacteria to live.

When I was a child, I used to always use soap because I didn’t know better, but I definitely saw the results of drying and decreased smoothness in my skin. How about you? Any previous soap users with bad stories? Next we’ll discuss what options we have besides soap…especially as the drying fall and winter months inch forward.

Uncategorized — 1 comment
25
Aug 10

Adult acne meds – when tips just aren’t enough – Jill Sung

How I feel when acne's got me down...

My family was born with acne loving skin. Before I knew it was bad for you, I grew up popping zits, living on pimple cream, and washing my face all the time. Neutrogena, Oxy, Clearasil were some of the most well known brands in our house, that’s not including the countless antibiotic and other medications that peppered our medicine cabinet.

In looking back, and dealing with adult acne, I did some research on the meds that we apply and take for acne. You’ve already read up on how not to overcleanse oily skin etc., but do you know how the popular acne medications out their work?

Benzoyl Peroxide: Kills Bacteria: Mild to Moderate Acne

Works by introducing oxygen to P. acnes, one of the main acne-causing bacteria that will die with oxygen exposure, and by removing dead skin cells and sebum, helping to keep your pores clean and prevent further acne breakouts.

Most recommend that one starts with 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide, and if your acne doesn’t clear up, to move to a higher percentage. However, that could mean more drying and flaky skin. Don’t forget, it can bleach your hair and clothing!

Salicylic Acid: Peeling Agent

Did you know that Salicylic Acid does not kill bacteria? Topical salicylic acid treats acne by reducing swelling and redness and unplugging blocked skin pores to allow pimples to shrink. Tip: Don’t use on damaged, irritated, sunburned, or broken skin!

Tea Tree Oil: Natural Anti-bacterial and Anti-fungal: Mild to Moderate Acne

Found to have fewer side effects than Benzoyl Peroxide at similar percentage use (5%), but may take longer to work as well. May also be less effective than Benzoyl Peroxide. If you buy the pure oil, be sure to dilute – 5% solution is 95 parts water, 5 parts tea tree oil. If you don’t dilute – you can get side effects like itching, burning, and irritated skin. Not fun if you’re stressing dealing with acne already!

Stronger Medications

If those over-the-counter medications don’t work, as they didn’t in my case, then you move on to prescription anti-bacterial medications to apply to skin or take as pills. Beyond that (and hopefully you don’t end up here because we all know how fun it is to be plagued by acne), there are topical and oral retinoids or diluted steroid injections. Topical retinoids (vitamin A derivatives) work to unclog pores and prevent whiteheads and blackheads from forming, but these can make one sun-sensitive or have extremely dry skin, bright side- they can also help with wrinkles. (But if I have wrinkles and crazy acne -I will be one unhappy lady). Oral retinoids do the same, but can also cause birth defects.

But thinking back, I guess the journey makes the woman! Maybe that’s looking at the glass half full, but having acne definitely made me appreciate inner beauty more and the strength of nature and genetics. My good friend used to always get a big red pimple in the middle of her nose – kudos to her for living through all her Rudolf moments…Mine were not so poetic, but it’s definitely humbling to have acne in your 30s and count more than the fingers on our hands.

Tell me about your worst acne experience…always good to commiserate!

Beauty & Skincare / Health & Fitness — 1 comment
12
Aug 10

Masks for Oily Summer Skin – Louise (JUARA intern)

Summer is almost everyone’s favorite season. People love the beach, the heat, the tans… but I just think of the humidity! As someone who has oily skin, the summer means one thing for me- acne. All the humidity increases oil production, which is bad news for oily skinned gals. One important thing is to wash your face every night to get rid of all the makeup and dirt your face has collected all day.

But sometimes just washing your face with a normal cleanser isn’t enough. Using a mask a few times per week is one of the best ways to thoroughly cleanse your skin and draw out all the impurities. There are tons of different brands who sell great masks. The best thing to do is to try different products and see what works best for your skin.

But while looking for a mask, make sure that it contains ingredients like Salicylic Acid which help keep pores clear, Kaolin clay which absorbs oil, or Benzoyl Peroxide which kill bacteria which causes acne.

Clay masks are also great for oily skin because it removes excess oil, clears up blackheads, and deep cleans your pores. I have two favorite masks that I’ve been using this summer:

The first is Lancome’s Pure Empreinte Masque. This mineral mask with white clay mask hardens after about 5 minutes and removes oils and reduces the appearance of my pores.

The other mask I’ve recently become obsessed with is the JUARA Milk & Red Sandalwood Mask. It absorbs oil and reduces redness. The mask comes as a powder and you mix it with any type of liquid into a thick paste. After about 15 minutes, I wash it off and I’m left with cleansed skin. Many masks leave my face feeling super dry and tight. But this mask leaves my skin feeling great and super soft.

As much as clay can be purifying, it can also be drying if left on for too long. I always use an oil-free moisturizer or JUARA’s oil-free, alcohol-free Tamarind Tea Hydrating Toner, which gives just the right amount of moisture to negate the potentially overdrying effect of clay.

A lot of people like to make their own masks. Check out this website with different mask recipes and try to make your own at home!

Some recipes that look great are:
*Cucumber Yogurt Mask – ½ cucumber, 1 Tbsp plain yogurt – Puree cucumber in blender and mix in yogurt. Apply to face and leave on for 30 minutes. Rinse well. Yogurt can soften skin and exfoliate gently, while the cucumber tones the skin. How relaxing!

*Apple Zinger Facial Mask – 1 medium size apple, 5 tbs. honey – Grate the apple and mix the honey well. Smooth over skin and let sir for 10 minutes. Rinse off with cool water. Honey is antibacterial and skin softening, while apple can exfoliate.

*Honey Mask – High quality honey – Massage a small amount of slightly heated honey onto skin and leave it on for 10 minutes. Honey is a powerful antibacterial agent and it does not cause unpleasant side effects such as dry skin, itchy skin or allergy.

Do you have favorite masks for oily skin?

Beauty & Skincare — 4 comments
21
Jul 10

Tips for summer pimples

Summer is here and it’s time to enjoy the warm weather and the long days of sunshine. But for pimple sufferers, summertime also means oily skin, blackheads and breakouts.

Why do we get more pimples during the summer? Sudden change in temperature and extended exposure to the sun can damage the skin. Also, sweat may exacerbate acne when salty sweat mixes with dirt and oil on skin which can irritate and clog pores. Only one or two days of hot weather can lead to pimples. A few changes in your skin care routine can ensure that acne will stay away.

1. Control oil by washing your face: Oil glands overwork with heat and humidity. To control oiliness, wash your face thoroughly with a foaming facial cleanser to get rid of the dead cells and dirt. Keep the cleanser gentle so it doesn’t overstrip and irritate skin, making it overproduce more oil. I love the JUARA Rice Facial cleanser which is sulfate and oil free, takes away makeup, dirt and oil but keeps skin super soft with the rice starch.

2. Choose the right sunscreen: Using a daily sunscreen is a must to avoid sun-damaged skin. But sunscreen may contain oil which is just as bad for the pores as sebum. Go for a noncomedogenic, oil-free sunscreen of at least SPF 15 (SPF 30 is even better), and make sure you put enough on! Check for UVA protection ingredients such as Avobenzone or Mexoryl. A fave: La Roche Posay’s Anthelios has a nice oil-free, light textured, water resistant sunscreen. Or try Paula’s Choice Essential Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 15

3. Lighten up your moisturizer: During the summer, go for a light-weight moisturizer, noncomedogenic and oil-free. Also, moisturizing lotions can be a good switch as they’re much lighter than creams. As an oil-free moisturizer alternative, try the JUARA Tamarind Tea Hydrating Toner – an oil-free, alcohol-free toner serum that hydrates skin, giving it a drink of water – and feels like silk!

4. Don’t wipe after you sweat, wash! Refrain from wiping your face frequently as you’re sweating because it can irritate acne, as dirt accumulates on your skin. Sweat should be washed away gently with a non-drying acne wash or with lukewarm water. Also, shower after working out or after you’ve been sweating.

5. Reduce sun exposure: Many people believe that the summer sun is good for their skin since it tends to burn off pimples, but prolonged exposure to UV radiation is dangerous for your health. Keep in mind that the sun simply burns the topmost layer of the face skin and doesn’t deal with the true causes of acne.

6. Eat more fruits: Try to eat at least 2 fruits a day to keep your skin healthy. Strawberries, Watermelons, and Mangoes are examples of fruits rich in vitamin A (control of skin cells) and C (protects collagen). Make sure your fruits are fresh to keep their antioxidants intact.

7. Drink 8 cups of water a day: A good hydration plays a major role in keeping your skin away from acne. Water also helps cells move nutrients in and toxins out.

8. Honey: Rubbing honey on your skin can help to get rid of the pimples. Honey is a powerful antibacterial agent and it does not cause unpleasant side effects such as dry skin, itchy skin or allergy. Choose a high quality honey, warm it, leave it on your pimples for 10 minutes and watch the results!

Summer is the season when our skin is the most vulnerable. The strong UV rays and sweat give your skin a hard time, which needs extra care.

So be sure to protect your skin and have an enjoyable pimple-free summer!

Products Recommended:

- Juara’s Rice Facial Cleanser

- Paula’s Choice Essential Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 15

- JUARA’s Tamarind Tea Hydrating Toner

- La Roche Posay’s Anthelios SPF45 or Anthelios XL

Events / Lifestyle — 2 comments
22
Jun 10

Summer June fun with JUARA Events- Metta Murdaya

Fun summer events: Special discounts and exclusive gifts with purchase!

When the sun is up, and everyone’s heading to the beach, we like to cater to those who are still in the city for fun, JUARA events. We like partnering with our other business owner friends, as well as our retailers whom we know also really appreciate their customers, so what better way to say “thanks!” than to make shopping even more fun with our free hand treatments and extra samples – just for showing up? This June, we have had several fun events – ranging from a store launch party (Pachute) at a delightful little boutique in the Upper East Side, to big shopping bashes with up to 350 guests at the Green & Gorgeous event by Pretty in the City. We have the following events this month, so stop by and say hi if you can, Yoshiko, Jill or I will be there – so come get your free hand massage!

To see what events we have this month in NYC, check here.

Uncategorized — 1 comment
14
Jun 10

Tips on how to fight adult acne – Yoshiko Roth-Hidalgo

When you are in your mid-thirties and you are like me, still battling or again battling pimples and break-outs, you are in good company. One in five women between the ages of 25 and 40 suffers from adult acne. Adult acne is not different from teenage acne in that the same key factors are involved: Hormonal activity which has an effect on our oil glands, blocked pores, acne bacteria and inflammation. While teenage acne is the result of hormonal changes as a person enters puberty, adult acne is the result of sometimes unexpected hormonal fluctuation, for example due to stress, reaction to birth control, pregnancy, etc.

What makes adult acne tricky is that the skin of a person in his/ her 30s or 40s is different from teenage skin. Some adults may not even have really oily skin, their skin might be more sensitive, and they may also be very concerned about fighting aging in their skin.

So while we certainly know how to fight blemishes with over-the-counter acne products we get at the drugstore (medicated cleansers, purifying masks, salicylic acid creams, benzoyl peroxide spot treatments, etc.) the challenge with adult acne is how to most effectively treat the blemishes while respecting more mature skin, and just as important, help it look and feel young.

Here are some tips how to approach adult acne with a skincare program.

First of all: If you have persistent pimples or inflamed cysts, you should see a dermatologist as soon as possible to avoid scarring and further damage to the skin. Severe acne is a medical condition that needs to be treated with prescription ingredients like retinoic acid (e.g. Retin-A, Tazorac). For blemish-prone skin and occasional break-outs, a good skincare program and over-the-counter products usually bring significant improvement:

Cleansers: Keep it simple and gentle

Contrary to a stubborn myth, acne is NOT caused by dirty skin, so stay away from harsh cleansers. Also, if your skin is dry and sensitive, skip the medicated cleanser and stick with a simple, gentle, sulfate-free cleanser that will cleanse thoroughly but won’t strip. No matter how convincingly medicated acne cleansers promise not to dry out your skin, I find that they do and that the subsequent dehydration exacerbates the appearance of roughness, lines and wrinkles.

Exfoliate in moderation

Freeing skin of dead skin cells that can clog pores is crucial in preventing blemishes from forming. Gentleness and moderation are key. Exfoliate no more than 2-3 times a week. If you have sensitive skin, no more than once a week. Choose scrubs with perfectly round exfoliating beads or alternatively, if your skin is not overly sensitive, alpha-hydroxy or beta-hydroxy peels. However, if your issue is not occasional blemishes but inflamed acne pimples and lesions, stay away from scrubs altogether. Scrubs can further exacerbate the inflammation of the skin and spread the bacteria.

Hydrate without oil

It’s tempting to not moisturize when you see pimples, but it’s important to keep skin hydrated, no matter what your skin type, even if you have break-outs. If you are concerned about clogging pores, choose an oil-free moisturizer that hydrates with hyaluronic acid. This wonder-ingredient draws vital hydration to the skin without overwhelming with oil, plumping lines and making skin supple.

Spot treat – in more ways than one

Salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are proven pimple-fighters, so use them for targeted spot treatments on clean skin before you put on moisturizer or sunscreen. At the same time, do spot-treat age-prone areas or dry areas unaffected by pimples, with products that are more emollient or more concentrated. Examples are the eye area, the area around the lips, forehead, etc. This way, you can effectively combine your acne treatment and anti-aging treatment.

Protect from the sun

A tan may make pimples look less prominent, but there is actually no clinical evidence that sun exposure helps acne. Unprotected sun exposure does raise the risk of skin cancer and premature aging the sun damages. Plus, many acne treatments make skin more sensitive to sun light. Therefore, apply a sunscreen of at least SPF15 daily that is oil-free and light in texture.

Green tea extract – a super multi-tasker?

While green tea extract has been clinically proven to have great anti-aging, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, recent research suggests that it also has anti-bacterial properties comparable to benzoyl peroxide without the common side effects. While more research needs to be done to prove this effect, this is still promising news for people with sensitive skin and adult acne.

High-tech gadgets

For high-tech lovers, a few electronic devices have popped up on the market that promise to quickly clear up pimples, such as Zeno’s Pro Acne Clearing Device ($185), a battery-powered medical device to treat inflamed acne pimples. It delivers a targeted dose of heat to the acne pimple, which kills the bacteria and is said to significantly clear the pimple within 24 hours. Sounds like the perfect solution!

At the end of the day, there is no one magic bullet for adult acne, but rather, a multi-pronged approach involving gentle and multi-tasking products, targeted medicated treatments and a balanced life-style.

What is your secret to fighting break-outs? Let us know!

Beauty & Skincare / Lifestyle — 3 comments
13
Jun 10

Easy ways to stay sun safe (from excuses we always make!) – Metta Murdaya

This JUARA Girl was bad bad bad! Never do this.

Despite all we know about UV protection and taking care of your skin from the sun’s damaging rays, we all goof up and get burned. I admit, (see pic) that I did. On one vacation a while ago, I got a pretty horrific burn, so I implore to you – don’t lose to bad judgment like I did, and fall for the (common) excuses people make to procrastinate putting on protection. Have you fallen victim or used any of these excuses? Well don’t. If a picture tells a thousand words, may the photo of me here be that one. Ouch.

“I’m only in the sun for like, 2 hours. No biggie” Wrong. I was only out in the sun for 2 hours too when I got this burn.

“It’s cloudy out. I don’t need protection, I won’t burn.” Wrong. UV rays still pass through the atmosphere, rain or shine. Plus, burning isn’t the first sign of sun damage, it’s usually the 3-alarm fire point as the damage started much earlier.

“I already got the tan, I won’t burn.” or “My skin is darker, I won’t burn.” But you’re still getting the same amount of damage whether you burn or not! And yes, you still can burn! (Had enough of my ‘you can burn!’ jingle yet?)

“I’ll have another drink on the beach, please…” Sounds like the dream vacation, but be careful with that one – if you get burned, dehydration commonly comes with it. When you drink alcohol, you can become dehydrated and it can exacerbate the sunburn. I was at a wedding the evening before, and was dehydrated the next afternoon when I went to the beach. Plus, I was in the water for almost 2 hours – a double whammy of UV rays + dehydration seriously leaving me open to bake – an added risk for beach swimmers.

So – help yourself protect yourself. Many of us DO apply sunblock – just not enough, nor often enough. So here are some tips to keep you on your sun protection game more easily:

1. Carry a small tube of sunblock in your purse in an often visited pocket so you have no excuse not to apply, or reapply every few hours. Get a higher SPF than you think you need, because chances are, you’re not applying enough so your SPF won’t be as effective for as long as you think it is. (Ie: Too little of the SPF 50 might work more like an SPF 30… Too little SPF 15, and it might not work at all…) My personal favorite sunscreen brand: La Roche Posay. Also, they’re having a “Save our Skin” campaign, raising awareness about sun protection and reducing skin cancer here. Join the cause of SOS from La Roche-Posay, and they will make a donation, and to organizations like the the Women’s Dermatologic Society (WDS) and The Skin Cancer Foundation, that also educate the public regarding proper sun safe behavior.

2. Wear a hat, or carry one with you when you go in the sun. Too bulky? Check these rollable visors out, poppable in your bag and they’re not cheesy! Not a replacement for sunscreen, but it’s convenient added protection with fashionable benefits.

3. For you product junkies out there, try different sunscreens that you know are good and keep them in often visited locations – and keep sampling! It makes applying sunblock fun, like you’re shopping for your favorite sunscreen! (Did I like the one in the office better, or the one at home? Hmm, need to try again, and again…) I flip between my Garnier, La Roche Posay, and ROC, compare scent, texture, feel, it’s fun.

4. Take the remembering out of reapplying – set daily alarms on your phone/blackberry/iphone for several times a day to remind you to put on sunscreen. You can get creative with your messages, “For eternal youth, reapply sunscreen NOW!” And with that tube in your bag, should be no problem. Or do it via post-it notes in places you visit often before leaving a building (medicine cabinet at home, office computer, work locker, etc.) You can also make fun notes for your friends/family that way too

5. Pass this to a friend – make a pact when with friends to commit to helping each other stay protected! When you reapply that you email/text/call them to remind them to do the same. Don’t you all want to stay youthful looking?

Note: Beachgoers need to reapply more often, especially if you go into the water. And for every colorful alcoholic drink you have, make sure to drink several glasses of water to rehydrate!

Side note: I also get asked “Do you have anything that can help my burn?” The answer is YES – The Tamarind Tea Hydrating Toner is an excellent cooling and hydrating, (oil free!) serum to soothe and calm burns). That was my savior!

Any tips you have to make staying sun-safe fun?

Learn About Natural Skin Care and Health in JUARA Skincare’s BlogJUARA Skincare founders talk about life, work, and the musings of running a skincare company.