Showing posts with label Zinka. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Zinka. Show all posts

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Sun Savers: UPF Clothing

Sun Savers: UPF Clothing

Sun Savers: UPF Clothing by elbonner featuring beach hats

To continue our sun safety series right before this ever-so-sacred Memorial Day weekend, I'm featuring something that you may not think about when working on your fitness outdoors. Not all clothing is created equal, sun protection-wise, so here are some really cute and functional pieces to keep you from becoming a wrankley old hag in your late 20s. 

Patagonia Draft Shirt- with a UPF 15 rating, you can wear this light, sweat-wicking, super shirt on even the sweatiest/stankiest runs. You won't come home with sunburned shoulders and also works for warm-weather hiking in the beautiful sunshine.

Roxy Up Wind Neoprene Capri- These capris have a UPF 50 rating and are super cute,as well as being amphibious. Like a hovercraft! Guaranteed to make your butt look good. 

Vans Blackout Spot Snapback- Hats are always a good idea whether out for a run or just sitting on the beach like a lump. Get a cute one that is fun to wear and not a chore, then you're more likely to protect your delicate scalp.

Sun Guard Laundry Treatment- When used in on cotton garments, Sun Guard ups the sun protection to UPF 30 instead of almost nothing. If you want to wear something and feel sun-protected, add this stuff to the wash before you wear it and baby, you got a stew going!

Zinka Nose Coat- I've talked about this stuff before. Slap on some zinc oxide before outdoor activities (especially on the thin skin on your nose) and rest assured that your nose skin won't peel off and leave you looking like the Crypt Keeper. 

Roxy Stand Up Shoes- Water shoes take the fear factor out of walking around in water you can't see clear to the bottom. These shoes keep you from screaming like a bitch, and also from burning your little feets! Made for stand-up paddle boarding, these shoes protect you from sun damage on a place we always tend to forget.

Roxy Dawn Run Shirt- This shirt, paired with some running shorts, makes for a great early morning, summer run outfit. It's a fun color, super flattering, and an excuse to buy new workout clothes. I need the sun protection damnit! I want cancer-free arms!

Roxy High Seas Spring Suit- Protect your body from the sun and a terrible jacked-hideous wax rash with a cute spring suit whilst out on the water. Wear it when you surf, jet ski, paddle board, just swim around. Spring suits are fun because they're not as restricting as a full wetsuits, but cover you enough to do raucous activities without the fear of flashing beach goers.

Billabong Wander Fedora- If you're not a baseball cap person, or don't want a hat for outdoor exercise, don't forgo one at all. Get a fun woven hat for the beach that is a little breathable so you don't suffer from head sweat which ruins everyone's day!

Hope this helps you make some smart outdoor clothing choice during this sunny season. You don't need fear the sun, just don't be a dumb ass about it! Happy Memorial Day!

Monday, March 11, 2013

Saving Face: Favorite Facial Sunscreens

It was a beautiful weekend weather-wise and guess whose ass got sunburned? ME! I was out of town and forgot my usual facial sunscreen and was quickly reminded how important it is to protect your face! I'm "blessed" with the thinnest and most easily burnt facial skin on the planet. It gets dry and itchy if I get too much sun so sunscreen is my saving face (huh huh!) in the spring, summer and early fall. Here are a few of my favorites that I use interchangeably depending on the day and activity:

(photo: skinceuticals.com)
1. Skinceuticals Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50: This stuff is the BUSINESS. I love it; I've bought it a million times and I've never been burned when I've used it. It's great for normal-to-oily skin and has never made me break out. I use this sunscreen in conjunction with a vitamin CE Ferulic acid serum (super antioxidant!) to give my skin some serious protection while also reversing my past sun damage. This stuff is recommended by lots of dermatologists because it is gentle and gross-chemical free which makes this a good bet for everyone.

(photo: Coola.com)
2. Coola face SPF 30 Cucumber Matte Finish Sunscreen: If you tend to get shiny and greasy from other mineral sunscreens, this stuff will make your life a whole lot easier. Coola is a great company that focuses on keeping your skin protected naturally with mineral sunscreens and it's fancy "Plant UV" technology. They come in scented, tinted, and unscented varieties, but I like this cucumber one because it's very refreshing in hot weather! Great for sensitive and oily skin; it won't run in your eyes and stays put!

(photo: SunBum)
3. Sun Bum PRO spf 50 Premium Endurance Sunscreen: This stuff is what I use for strenuous outdoor activities that require the sun to be on my face for a long-ass time. I use this when I go backpacking, surfing, boat trips, long runs; anything where I'm going to be out and doing something sweaty. This won't get into your eyes which is a HUGE source of uncontrollable anger for me. Nothing makes me want to punch a stranger more than having my sunscreen burn my eyes like a thousand fiery volcanoes. It's a mineral and chemical sunscreen, but oxybenzone free, which is something I like to keep off of myself since it can irritate my face.

(photo: Sephora)
4. Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream SPF 50+: If my skin is being dry and finnicky, this is the stuff I go for. Asia is in love with sunscreen and, in my humble opinion, Shiseido has the best of the bunch. They come in very high spf's, they have stick sunscreen, high spf foundations, and even high spf eye creams; these people love their friggin' sunscreen. This stuff stays on really well and doesn't leave me with any post-sun exposure dryness that some mattifying mineral sunscreens can. 

Just For Fun
(photo: Zinka)
*Zinka Colored Nosecoat: Now, I use this stuff in the flesh/tan color to cover up my tattoos to keep them from fading in the sun, but if I wasn't constantly aware of people's judgmental stares,I would wear this in a fun color like hot pink or neon green. If you have giant, inconcealable balls and want to protect your skin beneath layers of neon sunscreen then go for it! I promise I won't make fun of you!

I hope this helps keep your face protected and fresh as a baby's. With the proliferation of bronzers and awesome facial sunless tanners, loading up on the sunscreen is inexcusable. You can make a lighter face match a bit of a darker body (that's usually my case). Try out some of these sunscreens and be forever young!