Hey yall, so of course it's winding down and I'm trying to list everything that I need to get, for both the wedding and the honeymoon. I know that I'm going to need sunscreen while we are down in Jamaica because of the intensity of the sun. I am brown-skinned and when I stay out in the sun too long (for example when I run) I get tanned really easy. The moisturizing lotion I use for my face already has an spf30 so I don't have to worry about that. I need something for the rest of my body and of course my FH. Do you all have any suggestions of sunscreen or sunblock that you use?....
Hey yall, so of course it's winding down and I'm trying to list everything that I need to get, for both the wedding and the honeymoon. I know that I'm going to need sunscreen while we are down in Jamaica because of the intensity of the sun. I am brown-skinned and when I stay out in the sun too long (for example when I run) I get tanned really easy. The moisturizing lotion I use for my face already has an spf30 so I don't have to worry about that. I need something for the rest of my body and of course my FH. Do you all have any suggestions of sunscreen or sunblock that you use?....
I haven't been online in a while so please excuse the belated response... Since your honeymooning in Jamaica, try a waterproof sunblock like "Water Babies".
Born Blessed!
One thing you have to be careful with is how the sunblock looks on your skin. On darker skin, most sunblocks make the wearer look like an animated mannequin. This is mostly because of the micronized zinc oxide or titanium dioxide that most brands use for UVA protection.
There are new ingredients on the market that let you avoid the metallic look, Like Parsol, Helioplex, & Mexoryl. You can find them used in brands like Neutrogena, Aveeno, La Roche & Vichy.
Don't worry too much about the SPF. Apparently, there's no such thing as an SPF above 30. Also, SPF is a measure of how quickly the skin is reddened. Only UVB radiation does that. UVA however, ages the skin & you won't know that you've exposed yourself too much until months later.
Another myth is the "Long-Lasting Protection". Some of the UVA/UVB protection chemicals actually absorb the radiation and therefore "wear out" pretty quickly. Skin Care Professionals generally say that no matter what you're wearing you should reapply sunblock at least every 2 hours plus whenever you come out of the water or sweat profusely. Make that every hour in the Caribbean -- the sun is much stronger here.
Yes, even with the Water-Resistant ones. BTW, there's no such thing as Waterproof Sunblock.
And finally, most sunblocks smell pretty bad, but you can some products with acceptable scents.
Bottom line, you want to look & smell beautiful on your honeymoon as much as you want to protect your skin. There are no known comparison studies for sunblock brands on darker skin, so you'll have try them yourself.
Don't forget to let us know what you find out. I'm sure a lot of us are very interested in the results!
Thanks for the replies ladies, I'll have to do more research to see what is best for me.....very good info!>...
Go 'head eloi. I see Rosie has taught you well! lol Just teasing you - good info though.
(chuckle)
Just doin' my job, ma'am...
According to Dr. Oz, on Oprah, black people have a natural SPF 300 from the melanin (sp?) in our skin. Who needs SPF 45 when I already have SPF 300?
I'm a married woman as of December 2, 2006.
Delight yourself also in the Lord & He shall give you all the desires of your heart.-Psalm 37:4
[quote="Cinamin1"]According to Dr. Oz, on Oprah, black people have a natural SPF 300 from the melanin (sp?) in our skin. Who needs SPF 45 when I already have SPF 300?
[/quote]
Yeah I saw that too.....but we can still burn...I found that out the hard way!....don't want to do that again!....
Yeah, Black people also can get melanoma, but its very rare. The sunblock for us is to protect the aging effects UV rays have on our skin. I think the SPF (minimum of 30) is fine. Eloi is right about applying and re-applying also. If you burn easily....some black people do, so you definitely will have to cover up diligently. Even when we go to the theme parks, we try to remember to cover up. When I traveled out of the country closer to the equator, I definitely covered up....
If you still have tan lines, there are some lovely tanning lotions out there. My sister (maid of honor) had a few tan lines that would show with her strapless dress and used some tanning lotion the night before and her skin was so even and pretty! I should have used some myself.....
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I went to Cancun like 4 years ago, and I got burned something terrible. My burns were so bad that the covers would stick to my skin, so FH (just boyfriend back then) had to wake up in the middle of the night the whole time we were there and put cold towels on my back and then rub aloe vera gel on my burns. I burned my back, my scalp (my dumb butt wore cornrow with exposed parts) and what I call bunny ears on my breasts. I ended up getting sunscreen from Cancun that was SPF 70.
I think it applies to your skin type. I have dry skin. when I know I'll be out in the sun for a while, I use a spf 45 sunblock. If I don't use anything, I will get sunburned.
Speaking of tanning and tan lines - have any of you ever used a tanning booth? I tried it in college - went with my MOH who is white/black - and absolutely loved the results! I am dark so I was a little worried but my skin was so even and pretty. It looked smoother also. I only went a couple times because there is not a lot of info on the effects of tanning booths and Black people (guess they figure we don't use them) but was thinking about trying it again a few weeks before the wedding.