Perfect and Protect: A Guide To Healthy, Sun-Kissed Skin.

Spring break is right around the corner and many of us are preparing to ditch the cold in search for sun, sand, and those drinks with the cute little umbrellas. It’s our time to thaw out from the cold temperatures and start on the perfect pre-summer tan. You know, the one that you like to show off to your pasty Minnesotan neighbors.

I’m not sure exactly when it became fashionable to have tan skin, but we all can agree that it is most definitely sought after, even with the risks associated with prolonged UV exposure. Upon asking some friends and clients why they felt that they needed to be tan, the most common answer was, “I just look better!”

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States.

In our country, there are currently over 1 million people living with melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer, and over 3 million Americans with nonmelanoma type skin cancer. My own mother who gets average sun exposure, has been diagnosed with THREE melanoma in the past 2 years. To me, it's terrifying.

Melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer because it grows down, spreading to other parts of the body. Once in the blood stream, it is almost impossible to cure. This is why it is so important to get yearly skin checks by a dermatologist and to wear the appropriate sun protection every single day.

Many people think that just because they don't burn or have a darker skin color that they don’t need to wear a daily SPF. Let me tell you, this is not the case! While Caucasians are at higher risk for skin cancers, people of color aren’t usually diagnosed until it is in the later stages, making it more difficult to treat. 20 Americans die every day from melanoma. Winter is not an excuse, either! Snow, like water, actually reflects UV radiation. This means that your overall sun exposure is close to double when outside in the winter.

Now that I have your full attention, I want to share with you and easy way to recognize a mole or lesion that may possibly be cancerous. By being able to recognize a suspicious spot on your own, you have a higher chance of catching potentially cancerous moles early!

• A - Asymmetry - Mole’s that have an asymmetrical appearance.

• B - Border - A mole that has blurry or jagged edges.

• C - Color - A mole that has more than one color.

• D - Diameter - Moles with a diameter bigger than a pencil eraser (1/4 inch).

• E - Evolution - If your mole has been changing size, shape, or color.

Other indicators can be pain, bleeding, scabbing, or oozing. If you see any of these indicators, make an appointment with your doctor or dermatologist and they will be able to tell you if it is a concern. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

Now that we have covered the serious bit, I want to share with you an easy way to maintain a flawless summer tan year ‘round and my favorite ways to protect my own skin from UV radiation on a daily basis.

Nowadays, we have so many incredible sunless tanners at our disposal. If you haven’t jumped on the train yet, now’s the time! Sometimes people shy away from these products in fear of using a self tanner that potentially will look “orange” or unnatural on their skin. I’m going to share with you a fool proof, harmless way to achieve that bronze, glowing skin year-round -sans icky chemicals.

Before you Jump Right in,

there are some steps that you want to take before applying your sunless tanner. First, you want to exfoliate! I always grab for my Fur Silk Scrub. I keep it in the shower and use it on my entire body, focusing on places of dryness and buildup, like my elbows and knees. Fur is designed for you entire body, even intimate areas, so make sure to exfoliate that bikini line to prevent ingrown hairs and pigmentation. I rave about the exfoliant because it’s not just an expensive sugar scrub that smells good, it is a scrub that utilizes fruit enzyme and acids to give your skin a more thorough exfoliation that you would typically achieve with a scrub alone. At $48 its a steal.

After exfoliating that dry, dull skin away and waxing (or shaving), I apply Fur Stubble Cream ($38). It is super soothing and deeply hydrating, calming redness post hair removal and softening regrowth. I like to go back to my dry areas and give them an extra coat before moving on to my self tanner to make sure they don’t soak in too much of the product.

One you’re prepped, grab your Coola Organic Sunless Tan Express Sculpting Mousse ($48) and Sunless Tan Applicator Mitt ($6.50) and get down to business. I dispense a few pumps (depending on the size of the area) directly on my mitt and start applying in circular motions, making sure to be thorough and get around my feet, ankles, toes, wrists, hands, and fingers.

The mousse dries really quickly but I still recommend wearing loose clothing for a few hours (just like a spray tan) and not getting wet for at least 6-8 hours after application. When the time comes for my face, I add a few drops of Coola’s Sunless Tan Anti-Aging Face Serum ($54) into my moisturizer and make sure I rub it in evenly. It wont clog your pores and includes ingredients Argan Oil and Hyaluronic Acid to nourish skin. It is streak free and transfer resistant!

360 degree coverage protects you from uva, uvb, infrared, and Blue light emitted from every day devices.

Organic, lightweight sun protection for everyone.

Since we achieved that summer glow without putting yourself in harms way, let’s protect your skin further from Ultra Violet Radiation by choosing one of Coola’s reef safe, organic, and cruelty free SPFs. My favorites are the Mineral Sun Silk Crème ($42) which features niacinamide to improve acne and reduce redness and inflammation and the Sun Silk Drops ($46) with a serum consistency that goes on so light and includes hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, and plant derived stem cells to prevent pre-mature aging and dryness. Both are full 360 degree protection which means they protect against UVA, UVB, Infrared light, and HEV which is harmful blue light emitted from our every day devices such as our cell phones, computers, and TV’s.

To protect yourself throughout the day, use their new Refreshing Water Mist Sunscreen SPF 18 and lightly mist to get a boost of coconut water hydration and to reapply protection without slathering a goopy, greasy paste over your face & body. It is a great way to reapply over makeup, as well, without ruining your masterpiece!

Now that you’re excited about sun protection, take 20% off any Coola SPF, SPF lip balm, or sunless tanner in the month of March when you book a skin treatment with me!!

Are you more inclined to protect your skin and get that tan the healthy way after reading this post? Tell me in the comments!

Peace & Love,

Jaclyn - Owner of Spruced Brow & Skin