Article from:
For the past two months, all we could ever complain about is the intense heat this summer. And while there’s very little we can do to relieve ourselves from it (short of taking a shower every hour), we certainly hope you’re going to great lengths to protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun.
Before going on our planning cum summer beach trip, the entire ShopCrazy team went shopping together for our beach essentials, including sun protection products. After going through different stores, we decided to head for The Body Shop when it was time to buy moisturizers with SPF that we can layer over or under our facial sunscreen with a higher level of SPF.
One of the ways to ensure good sun protection is by layering different products with SPF. Since products with higher SPF tend to be very sticky and won’t give us the other benefits we get from our moisturizers, we need to layer it with products that have lower SPF yet address our specific skin needs and enhance our beauty. Since each of us have very different skin types, we needed to visit a store that offers a wide range of skin care products to choose from.
Do you also have combination/oily, dull, or dry skin? Or do you want to whiten your face as you protect it? If any of these skin conditions hold true for you, find out what The Body Shop products with SPF the ShopCrazy team took with them to the beach this summer.
For stronger sun protection plus a brighter complexion
If you’re very particular about sun protection (which you should be), you know that it’s not enough to just get a product with SPF, which only protects against UVB rays. You also need to get something that has PA+++ which protects against UVA rays, too. Shar, the most particular about sun protection among the team, chose The Body Shop Moisture White UV Protection Cream SPF25/PA+++ (P1,195).
Shar’s verdict: “I’m not really keen on whitening this season, but if I were, I’d consider using Moisture White UV Protection. This oil-free cream-based sunscreen leaves a matte finish, making it a good makeup base. I layer it over my sunscreen with SPF 50, which I find too runny. I love that Moisture White spared me from typical sunscreen shine. Since I have a darker skin tone, though, I had to be sure to use just the right amount so I won’t look paler than usual. Be sure to spread it evenly.”
To make oily skin look shine-free and fresh-looking
If you have oily skin, you are probably irked by facial sunscreens with higher SPF that make your face look extra oily and sticky. This is something you definitely wouldn’t want for your beach photos. That is why Happy, who has combination/oily skin, opted for The Body Shop Seaweed Mattifying Moisture Lotion SPF 15 (P795), which is meant for her skin type.
Happy’s verdict: “I would definitely recommend Seaweed Mattifying Moisture Lotion with SPF 15 to anyone who wants a moisturizer and sunscreen in one. I really love how it keeps my skin hydrated and protected from harmful UV rays without the shine and sticky feeling given its oil-free formulation. And with its special seaweed ingredient, my skin became less oily and shiny and has a smooth, matte feel throughout the day. This product is the perfect base for when you’re about to apply your makeup. It’s the ideal moisturizer and sun protection lotion for everyday city use.”
Do you want glowing, healthy-looking skin to go with your tan? Or is your skin prone to dryness?
To achieve a glowing, healthy-looking complexion
Stress, lack of sleep, and pollution can make your skin look dull, tired, and sallow. And this is the last thing you want this summer—the season is all about having radiant, healthy-looking skin, complemented with a glowing tan. And since I’m all for having bronzed skin this season, I make sure my face is protected with The Body Shop Vitamin C Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 (P995).
My verdict: This lightweight moisturizing lotion is easily absorbed into my skin, which is why I like layering it over my sticky facial sunscreen with SPF 50. It gives a fresh, matte, glowing finish, and makes my skin look healthy and feel soft and smooth all day—which is probably thanks to its Vitamin C content, a naturally powerful antioxidant. I still get to apply makeup over my sunscreen without worrying about having a messy gunk on my face. The more I used it, the better-looking my complexion became.
To maintain normal, healthy-looking skin
You may have normal skin but summer requires extra protection so you can maintain its healthy glow. You might love The Body Shop Vitamin E Protective SPF 15 Moisture Lotion (P795), which has wheat germ oil for extra conditioning, and Vitamin E, one of the best antioxidants that help protect skin against the sun, pollution, cigarette smoke, and other elements that damage skin cells. Cheekie picked the Vitamin E Protective sunscreen to layer over her facial sunscreen with higher SPF.
Cheekie’s verdict: “Especially on days when I’m not actually soaking up the sun, it doubles as added sunscreen and moisturizer for me. It is easily absorbed into my skin and doesn’t feel greasy after application. It is also easy to blend makeup after I’ve applied the lotion because my face feels softer, smoother, and more elastic. It’s definitely healthier-looking, especially after I managed to get a tan in Boracay.”
For softer, sun-protected lips
We should not neglect our lips when protecting our face from the damaging rays of the sun. If you want anti-chapping and sun protection for your pouters, use The Body Shop Vitamin E Lip Care SPF15 (P295). It has all the benefits of Vitamin E plus a subtle vanilla flavor which makes you want to reapply it all the time even if you don’t have to, since one swipe should do the trick. It is colorless, so you can apply your lipstick over it easily. It effectively conditions lips, making your lip color look impeccable.
The Body Shop skin care products are available in all their branches nationwide.
Photos courtesy of www.thebodyshop.com.ph
May 20th, 2009 at 5:32 am
ems! hello, how r u? it’s been a while…i’m back to the blogosphere. take care always!
September 2nd, 2009 at 4:09 pm
Hi there, I found your blog via Google while searching and your post looks very interesting for me.
September 17th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
I was searching for this last week.