Summer Skincare: What You Should Be Spending Your Money On

It's been a hot summer, and the glaring sun doesn't seem like it's letting up any time soon. I feel like I've already spent a fortune on sunscreens for my kids and myself and I'm not even sure if I'm putting my money towards the right brands or SPF. I spoke with Dr. Paul Cohen, a Toronto dermatologist, to get the low-down on what's important in terms of buying a good sunscreen and treating sun damage such as lines and wrinkles. Here are some helpful tips on what you should be putting your money towards when it comes to looking after your skin during the UV filled warmer months.

Inexpensive Sun Protection
The most inexpensive way to protect yourself from the sun is by using a combination of sunscreen and common sense, says Dr. Cohen. There are a few straightforward and low cost ways to keep the sun's penetrating rays at bay: wear a hat to protect your head and face, wear sunglasses with UV protection for your eyes and cover up your skin with lightweight sun protective clothing. One free option is seeking shade but if you're like me and chasing little people around outdoors during your free time -- even if you're in shady areas -- you're still likely to be partially exposed.


What to Look for in a Quality (but not necessarily costly) Sunscreen
Sunscreen is a hot topic of conversation these days -- especially among the Mom crowd. There is an overwhelming abundance of options and the prices vary widely. Dr. Cohen says to make sure your sunscreen is broad-spectrum, protects from UVA and UVB rays and also has the Canadian Dermatology Association logo on it. He says he's wary of sunscreens that are marketed as being environmentally friendly with low toxins if they don't have CDA approval since the testing the product has gone through might not have been as rigorous. Cohen says to go for at least an SPF 30 and to reapply every couple of hours, since the protection and coverage will weaken over time. Don't be fooled by a product on the market with a high SPF -- it still has to be reapplied every couple of hours for adequate protection.
Some over-the-counter sunscreens Cohen recommends that won't break the bank are: VICHY, La Roche Posay and Ombrelle. These lotions contain the ingredient Mexoryl, Cohen says, which makes the product more stable so it doesn't break down.
Also, if you're worried about what to buy for the kids versus the adults in your family, Cohen says sunscreens packaged for kids are fine for adults too (and usually contain the same ingredients) -- the difference is in the marketing.

Treating Sun Damage
No matter how careful we are, the sun can get to us in sneaky ways -- UVA rays can penetrate a glass window and on cloudy days, damaging rays can still get through. The sun's damage can show up in the form of lines, wrinkles and brown spots. There are many reasonably priced creams that can improve the appearance of the skin and give it a glow, says Dr. Cohen. He recommends using products like Neostrata or Reversa -- available in most drugstore chains or pharmacies -- that contain glycolic acid (a type of fruit acid). Cohen says such a product can be used during the day with sunscreen or on its own at night. He also says the use of a Vitamin C cream or serum -- an antioxidant -- can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

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