I Screen, You Screen: Part II

When it comes to doctors and expert opinions, the end all be all of reputable medical sources is right in our back yard: Mass General. So, when it comes to getting the best advice regarding summer skin care, well...we turned to our backyard best.

Dr. Mathew Avram is Director, MGH Laser, Cosmetic and Dermatologic Surgery and Associate Professor of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School. If that weren’t enough, Dr. Avram is also President, American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery.

1. Can you stress the importance of sunscreen in the summer, but also year round?

We get sun all year, albeit more in the summer time. The most sun we get is on June 21 and the least is December 21. Nevertheless, it is important to protect against the sun's rays throughout the year. Sunscreen, a hat and sun avoidance can minimize some the harmful effects of the UVA and UVB rays in the sun.

2. What should we look for in a sunscreen?

Sunscreens should ideally include all of the following attributes:

3. What are some common areas we miss when putting on sunscreen?

On a daily basis, we often forget to cover the side and back of the neck as well as chest. Another area is the back of our hands. These areas get a lot of sun and need good sun protection.

4. What’s a good rule of thumb for how much sunscreen to use on our face and body?

For the full body, the appropriate dose is about a shot glass worth of sunscreen.

After talking to Dr. Avram, we did some digging to find some new and current sun protection—see below:

The Amarte Natural Finish BB Cream is a true Korean beauty balm that’s a sheer, finely pigmented moisturizing face tint that provides uniform coverage, and softens and smooths skin. The BB cream is designed with broad spectrum SPF 36. The Ultra Veil Sunscreen SPF 50+ is a blend of four physical and chemical sunscreen agents that create and aesthetic veil to protect skin exposed to sunlight. (Available at amarteskincare.com)

It’s a 10 Miracle Shampoo and Conditioner Plus Keratin protects hair from sun damage. The restructuring treatment smooths hair cuticles and layers it with a strong protective coating that resists heat, humidity, and split ends. The sulfate free, paraben free and keratin protein infused formula prevents breakage and protects from thermal styling. (Available at itsa10haircare.com)

The Clé de Peau Beauté UV protective cream broad spectrum SPF 50+ is a lightweight, high-performance face cream that protects skin from UV/UVB rays. The formula helps prevent wrinkles caused by photo-aging. The protective cream tinted SPF 50+ is a full-coverage, tinted cream that helps skin look smooth and flawless and is available in three shades. And the UV protective emulsion for body SPF 30 and protective emulsion very high protection for body SPF 50 are featherweight emulsions that wear well in warm temperatures and high humidity. (Available at cledepeaubeaute.com)

Weleda Everon Lip Balm protects lips and keeps them moisturized. The formula includes jojoba seed oil and beeswax to provide long lasting protection for lip’s delicate skin along with rose wax to heal cracks and irritations with its natural antiseptic properties. (Available at usa.weleda.com)

COOLA helps protect skin with head to toe coverage. The SPF 30 Mineral Liplux adds a hint of color to lips along with helping improve the appearance of aging and thinning skin. The Classic SPF 30 Dawn Patrol Makeup Primer helps shield the face from sun damage, minimizes pores, and evens out skin tone. FACE SPF 30 RŌSILLIANCE BB+ CREAM GOLDEN is a tinted moisturizer that offers sheer tinted coverage to help support healthy looking skin. The Mineral Sport Stick SPF 50 provides maximum coverage designed for the sports enthusiast. All COOLA products are 70% organic and they’re cruelty-free (and have teamed up with PETA!). (Available at sephora.com)

Bare Republic’s ClearScreen SPF 30 & SPF 50 Spray is a plant-infused, protective spray that is water resistant up to 80 minutes. The SPF 30 ClearScreen Gel is an ultra-lightweight gel that provides UVA/UVB protection without a traditional sunscreen feel. It has a Coconut Mango scent, is quick-drying, non-greasy, and provides 80 minutes of water resistance. (Available at target.com)

Take care of the men in your life with Jack Black. Jack Black Sun Guard SPF 45 offers vitamin-enriched, oil-free, water and sweat-resistant sun protection. The broad spectrum lotion is lightweight and absorbs quickly. The Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25 is comes in many formulas, such as Natural Mint & Vanilla, Black Tea & Blackberry, Mango & Mandarin, and more. (Available at getjackblack.com)

Jan Marini offers up multiple sunscreen options. The Antioxidant Daily Face Protectant SPF 33 combines water-resistant, broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection with hydration for skin. The invisible formula is weightless and helps with oil control, making it good for acne-prone skin. Marini Physical Protectant SPF 45 utilizes purely physical filters for broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection. The sunscreen features a universal tint and microscopic oil absorbing particles for additional oil control with a sheer, matte finish. (Available at janmarini.com)