Dr.Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm SPF 45 PA+++

Dr.Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm SPF 45 PA+++ ($39) is a protective tinted moisturizer that perfects the appearance of skin while protecting it from the sun and environmental factors. A moisturizer, sunscreen, tint, and treatment serum, this all-in-one product also offers advanced brightening properties with arbutin, one of its advanced ingredients. Arbutin is extracted from the bearberry plant and inhibits tyrosinase, thus preventing the formation of melanin, which darkens the skin.

Ideal under makeup, its natural-looking tinted coverage minimizes the appearance of imperfections and evens skin tone. Antioxidants, biopeptides, and adenosine (effective skin-care ingredients) protect the skin from the sun and free radicals while restoring firmness and elasticity. It's a one-step marvel.

In May, I had featured Dr.Jart+ Water Fuse Beauty Balm SPF 25 PA++, similar in its mission to protect our skin, but with lower UVA and UVB protection levels. Dr.Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm SPF 45 PA+++ is a little more expensive, but, in addition to the sun protection, offers a little more coverage and offers more expensive skin-care ingredients. It comes in a light tint that should blend into most skin tones (probably not chocolate-colored skin). The tint is slightly darker than the Water Fuse Beauty Balm, making it wearable by more women (or men). Both of them blend into my skin perfectly; they seem to adapt to skin tone.

It's a great tinted moisturizer for summer. The oil-free "balm," which is really a light cream, includes sunscreen ingredients that protect the skin from a broad range of UVA and UVB exposure. After a quick application, my skin is left looking smooth, perfect, and natural. The tint is almost imperceptible, but it does even my skin tone and take out the red in the center of my face. It won't cover stubborn marks, like dark sun spots or active acne, but it does "dull" their appearance.

I love makeup-free days on the weekends, but I'll always make an exception for a tinted moisturizer. I purchased several this summer, and I'm slowly testing them. Dr.Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm SPF 45 PA+++ is the second I put to the test after it was sent to me by the company, and it passed admirably. It did everything I expected. Feels good too - moisture without any oil slick that would be too heavy on a hot day.

The ingredients offer advanced brightening and anti-aging power and firm and hydrate the skin. The peptides, almost de rigueur in skin care today, will help restore the suppleness your skin may be losing. If you wear this product under your foundation, you'll find you need less foundation to achieve a perfect look. The sun protection comes from relatively high concentrations titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, which makes it fairly amazing that it feels so light on the skin.

Please remember that even if you are working inside all day, you need a sunscreen. You will be exposed to the sun's rays even through windows. Dr. Jart offers us a way to treat our skin and wear an effective sun screen in one fell swoop, with none of the nasty qualities some associate with sunscreens. This one is perfect for those who can't wear chemical sunscreens.

Dr. Jart, a dermatologist, offers a line of cosmeceuticals. The doctor's approach to product development is based on use of scientifically certified ingredients. Each formula is tried and tested to ensure safety for all skin types - even hypersensitive skin - so everyone can experience the "art of skincare with Dr. Jart." So far, I'm impressed by both products I've tried.

Next time you browse at Sephora, see what you think. Let us know, please!

Photos courtesy of Sephora and factoidz.com

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Chantecaille Ultra Sun Protection SPF 50 PA+++ Anti-Glycation Primer

Today, with sunny, hot weather in most of the country, you should be thinking about sun protection. Chantecaille has a new option for your face and neck, and it's loaded with benefits. Ultra Sun Protection SPF 50 PA+++ Anti-Glycation Primer ($85) combines a truly invisible shield with an effective and well-known anti-glycation ingredient, which ensures that skin is protected from the internal threat of glycation (a process that breaks down collagen). Ultra Sun Protection is a multitasker: it's an effective sunscreen, it offers anti-aging/treatment benefits, and it's a makeup primer - all in one.

Let's start with the sun protection. Ultra Sun delivers SPF 50 UVB protection and PA+++ for UVA rays. It does this with a three highly effective, stabilized, non-penetrating sunscreens: avobenzone, octisalate, and octinoxate. That alone, in this delightfully textured primer would be worth the price with its high level of protection. Chantecaille went further with treatment ingredients. Cherry blossom, lemon balm, and white tea extracts deliver powerful anti-inflammatory properties, protecting DNA from free radicals. Carnosine delivers the anti-glycation properties.

Glycation occurs when you eat sugars - not just refined sugar, but anything that turns into glucose in your body - and the glucose hits your bloodstream. These sugars latch on to proteins, and through a "binding" mechanism between sugar and protein, cause your skin to ultimately become stiff and brittle. Much of this results from large molecules generated from the glycation process, which are called advanced glycation end products, appropriately abbreviated as AGEs.

The more sugar you eat (including processed foods - even orange juice and carbohydrates), the more AGEs you produce. As they multiply, these molecules wreak havoc with proteins, including collagen and elastin, which keep our skin firm and elastic. The result is sagging, wrinkled, aging skin.

The oil-free, light fluid texture of Chantecaille's Ultra Sun Protection beautifully smoothes skin and controls oil-breakthrough and shine throughout the day, which makes it a great primer. Chantecaille makeup artists found that the fluid perfectly preps the skin for and extends the wear of foundation. I agree. Water and humidity-resistant, it is the perfect daily protection for outdoor activities and humid climates. Don't worry about those beads of perspiration when you are outdoors. Ultra Sun Protection will stay with you. If you are swimming, though, make sure to reapply.

Ultra Sun Protection seems like the "unsunscreen" sunscreen to me. It's an extremely light fluid that leaves absolutely no white, chalky, or otherwise undesirable appearance. It has a very subtle, delightful rose fragrance (to my nose). I think it's a genius product. I like it even more than some of my "old favorites." That's high praise.

To use it, make sure to shake the tube well to ensure an even mix of ingredients. Evenly spread the light fluid over your face and neck, and don't forget your ears! You can apply it over your regular moisturizer. The 1.3-ounce tube may seem small, but a little of this wonderful sunscreen/primer goes a very long way. I won't be wasting it - but I'm sure I'll need more before summer ends. This is my new favorite sunscreen.

You can purchase Ultra Sun Protection at Chantecaille's Web site, where a new gift with purchase promotion begins in June. Online only, from June 5-12, in honor of World Ocean Day, Chantecaille will offer a free Amaretto Lip Gloss with the purchase of any La Baleine compact. Use code WHALES at checkout. Right now, there's a free shipping offer online. You can also find Ultra Sun Protection at Chantecaille counters. I know Neiman Marcus has it.

Photo courtesy of Chantecaille

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Suntegrity Natural Mineral Suncare

Looking for a moisturizing sunscreen that isn't filled with chemicals? I found one for you!

I know that some of you can't use sunscreens that offer chemical UV protection from ultraviolet rays. You've told me in your comments. Suntegrity offers products with the best known physical block ingredient (non-nano sized zinc oxide) to provide broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection, along with antioxidants and amino acids to enhance that protection and help with skin repair. Suntegrity's products use non-toxic preservatives to maintain their integrity without sacrificing safety or health. I was given an opportunity to try Suntegrity All Natural Moisturizing Face Protection SPF 30 ($45). I'll give you the short summary before I tell you about it. It is extremely nice.

Top rated by the Environmental Working Group, this moisturizing sunscreen offers UVA and UVB broad-spectrum protection from the sun, and it's infused with youth-promoting antioxidants and astaxanthin. It contains 20% zinc oxide. It was carefully formulated for all skin types, and it's free of parabens, petrochemicals, phthalates, propylene glycol, mineral oils, synthetic dyes, sulfates, PABA, titanium dioxide, nanoparticles (which can enter the bloodstream), and chemical UV absorbers. It's vegan and cruelty-free. How about that?

I know beauty bloggers nag our readers about the harmful effects of the sun's rays. Many of us know through experience what the sun can do to our skin. I'll admit that a little (very little) sun exposure for a short period a few times/week can help us maintain optimal vitamin D levels. Unfortunately, many of us are exposed to UVA/UVB rays for much longer periods than we need for our vitamin D levels - even while we are indoors. That's why we all need to wear sunscreens. Remember, you can take vitamin D supplements if your doctor finds you don't have enough - like me.

The history of Suntegrity's line is inspiring - and sad. Tricia Trimble's mother died of skin cancer. After losing her mom to melanoma, she became an advocate of wearing sunscreen. However, most of the sunscreens on the market use chemical UV blockers and contain a lot of toxic ingredients, and it didn’t make sense to her to use these types of sunscreens to prevent skin cancer only to get another kind of cancer. After several years of research and investigation, she decided to develop her own sun care line that works from both the inside-out and the outside-in. With a heartfelt mission and the help of an extremely knowledgeable formulator and chemist, Tricia's company, Suntegrity Skincare, was born. Tricia's wish for us? "I hope you enjoy our products and smile in the memory of someone you love every time you use them."

The All Natural Moisturizing Face Protection with SPF 30 comes out of the convenient pump container a bit thick, and my first thought was that it might be hard to apply, leave me with a grease slick, or impede my makeup application. Was I wrong! The product absorbs very quickly and feels weightless once it absorbs. It's not greasy at all, and my makeup behaved perfectly over it. This is a great sunscreen for you, whether you have chemical sensitivities or not. I am very impressed.

Suntegrity also offers a body moisturizer and a dietary supplement that includes vitamin D - and some other good ingredients for your skin. I plan to try the body moisturizer next.

You can find Suntegrity's products, including this facial moisturizer, at Suntegrity Skincare, Amazon, and other retailers listed at this link. I think you will like Suntegrity. For those of you who have told me that you can't wear most sunscreens because of their chemical ingredients, this one may save you.

Photos courtesy of Suntegrity

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