LOVE . SUN . BEAUTY

I have to admit it: although it may sound vain, wearing a long-lasting lipstick while hiking has its advantages. The moment I pull out my lipstick before a hiking adventure, I usually get the comment “Seriously, you’re putting on lipstick before you go hiking?” And my response is, “yeah, do you like the color?”

After a multitude of years trying my best to enjoy the taste and feel of SPF-infused lip balm and chapstick I’ve finally found an alternative that is better. Something that doesn’t melt off or have a flavor that I ingest as I enjoy the outdoors: matte lipstick.

Matte lipstick stays on through the heaviest of perspiration, shielding my lips from the sun, blocking UV rays, and (here’s the vain part) prevents wrinkles. I have seen many women and men who have developed skin cancer on their lips and it isn’t a pretty sight. In fact, a common reason women get wrinkles on their lips is because the lip gloss they typically wear actually attracts UVA/UVB rays! The sun directly hits the shine of the lips kind of like aluminum foil did in the late 1970s for backyard and beach sunbathers.

Being obsessed with lip gloss myself, I now know to wear it over a lipstick base to keep my lips protected. The sun protection benefits of the lipstick and the hydrating feel of the lip gloss is a happy duo and it typically lasts for a couple hours, which is just the right amount of time for an energetic hike in Los Angeles. Oh, and did I mention I look and feel great? I believe lipstick can provide any woman a confidence boost and there’s nothing wrong with that!

Some lip products feature sunscreen with little to no chemicals, but I have yet to find one that offers a high enough SPF level of protection to make a difference, that tastes okay and that I don’t have to reapply every 30 minutes. So for now, go ahead and call me vain, I will stick to a natural shade of lipstick to prevent premature aging on my pout and look and feel great while doing so!

Now you know my hiking beauty secret, it’s time for you to share yours! Is there a makeup product you won’t leave the house without? What are your favorite lip products?

Written by: Mitzi Runyan 

One of the worst skin myths out there is that only pale skin is susceptible to sun damage and the physical effects, such as dark spots, wrinkling, and skin cancer. However, this is not true at all. While pale skin more easily burns from the sun and may appear to be more damaged, skin tones of all levels and depths can be damaged by the sun without protection against UVA and UVB rays.

In fact, a new study has just revealed what skin tone is the most susceptible to hyperpigmentation and it isn’t fair skin. Latin skin is the most prone to hyperpigmentation because this skin tone produces more pigment in response to trauma, such as sun damage. It’s important for Latin women to be safe with their skin, as breakouts and sunburns can easily damage skin.

This is just one of many examples that go to show that all women, no matter what their skin tone, needs to be cautious and take good care of their skin. Remember, the sun doesn’t discriminate. UVA and UVB rays penetrate skin the same way. The difference is that the darker the skin tone, the higher level of natural SPF. While Caucasian skin only has a natural SPF of 3.4, African American skin has 13.4. However, talk to any dermatologist and they will recommend wearing a minimum SPF of 30.

Just because darker skin tends to not burn as much as fairer skin, Latino and African American skin can still get skin cancer. When women with darker skin don’t wear sunscreen and UV wear because they assume they’re protected, they are putting themselves at risk for developing skin cancer. In fact, some ethnicities are at a higher risk for certain types of skin cancer. Darker-skinned people have a greater chance of getting acral lentiginous melanoma, and squamous cell carcinoma is more common among African Americans and Asian Indians. Latinas, Chinese, and Japanese Asians are more likely to develop basal cell carcinoma.

All women need to take good care of their skin, no matter how fair or dark-skinned they are. Even though it’s winter now, remember to follow these skin steps:

1. On your face, wear a face sunscreen with SPF 30 or above and an eye cream with at least SPF 30
2. When outdoors, wear UV wear to protect your body
3. Twice a week, gently exfoliate your skin
4. Once a week, apply a face mask
5. Once a year, visit your dermatologist for an annual skin check-up, paying close attention to any moles or dark spots you may have

You protect your body with your favorite UV wear and your face with sunscreen, but what about your lips? The lips are frequently neglected when it comes to sun protection. A University of Texas study revealed that only 37% of those who wear sunscreen also protect their lips from UV ray damage. Furthermore, many of the those in the study weren’t aware that excessive sun exposure on lips could lead to cancer.

Lips are particularly vulnerable to sun damage since they don’t have melanin. Without proper protection, UV rays can negatively affect your lip’s collagen production, resulting in wrinkles and other early signs of aging. To keep your lips protected and looking youthful and plump, wear lip protection with SPF year round (that’s right, even in winter!).

Here are our top four picks for lip treatments with SPF:

Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25

This is an excellent emollient balm free of parabens and sulfates. Along with SPF 25, this lip balm is packed with antioxidants and skin conditioners, from shea butter to avocado oil, to condition your lips and keep them nourished and soft. Vitamin E and green tea extract protect your lips from free radical damage. Revealing a clear, shiny finish, you can choose from several flavors, including Grapefruit & Ginger, Black Tea & Blackberry, and Lemon & Chamomile.

Coola Liplux SPF 30

Coola is a great, California-based brand creating eco-friendly sun protection that is TSA-, recycle, and green-friendly. All products are made with natural food grade ingredients and are certified organic. Along with great sunscreens, their product line includes Liplux, a lip balm with SPF 30. This clear balm with a refreshing peppermint vanilla scent is vitamin- and antioxidant-enriched to soothe even the most chapped lips. To keep your delicate lips hydrated, Liplux also has a blend of fruit butters. If you’re a swimmer, this is a winner, as it’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.

Shiseido Sun Protection Lip Treatment SPF 36 PA++

For the maximum sun protection for lips, Shiseido has it covered with their Sun Protection Lip Treatment. Although lightweight, this lip balm protects against both UVA and UVB rays and is recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation. Highly nourishing, this balm keeps your lips soft and luminous without the filmy residue some sunscreens create. As this balm is very light, it’s easy to layer underneath your favorite lipstick or gloss.

Supergoop! AcaiFusion Lip Balm Broad Spectrum SPF 30

Supergoop! is another excellent natural sun protection brand that creates lightweight sunscreens and a nourishing AcaiFusion Lip Balm. With SPF 30 and several other sunscreen ingredients, this balm protects your lips from both sunburns and photoaging. With acai and other antioxidant ingredients, this balm repairs oxidation damage and offers hydration. Along with a sheer pink tint, this lip balm checks all the boxes.