There would be no life without the sun.
The sun gives life, it enhances the mood by virtue of increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain. It helps us have more energy. It helps those of us fighting through seasonal depression (formerly known as Seasonal Affective Disorder) and of course, there are the benefits of Vitamin D production. (It’s worth mentioning however, that there’s no known level of UV exposure that maximizes vitamin D synthesis without increasing the risk of skin cancer.)
But while the sun giveth, the sun taketh away too. And in this case, the sun comes with very harmful effects to us: from retina damage caused by long-term unprotected exposer to the ultraviolet light, to heat exhaustion, sunburns, heat rash, skin cancer and wrinkles/aging.
Which makes you wonder… does the "bad", outweigh the "good" when it comes to exposure?
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States and worldwide.
1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70.
More than 2 people die of skin cancer in the U.S. every hour.
Having 5 or more sunburns doubles your risk for melanoma.
When detected early, the 5-year survival rate for melanoma is 99 percent.(According to the skin cancer foundation.org)
When you see VREA, I want you feel good.
I don’t want to scare you today! But truth is that I must put this on your spectrum, because as a licensed esthetician and big (I mean HUGE) skincare aficionado, I see how many of us don’t take these stats seriously (or are simply unaware of them). Melanoma sounds like the big, bad wolf that’s far removed from us & we’ll never cross paths with him, and I think it’s because of this misconception, that the numbers are so high.
So here are the life-changing and life-SAVING tips, you must know:
1. Use sunscreen products with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30. Apply the sunscreen at least 20 minutes before going outside and re-apply every 2 hours of after swimming or sweating.
Worth mentioning here that the higher SPF value works only to extend the time of the protection, but it does not provide significantly more protection at a particular moment. In other words, the difference between an SPF 30 and an SPF 50 isn’t the amount of protection, but the length of time you could be protected from sun burn.
A sunscreen with SPF 15 will protect you from 93.3% of UVB rays. SPF 30 will protect from 96.7% UVB absorption, SPF 45 correlates with 97.8% and SPF 50 with 98% of UVB rays. UVB rays have shorter wavelength and are associated with skin Burning). No sunscreen provides 100% protection.
(Comprehensive Review of Ultraviolet Radiation and the Current Status on Sunscreens NCBI study)
2. Use sunscreens labeled as Broad Spectrum, which means that they’re able to provide UVB as well as UVA protection. (UVA rays have longer wavelength and are associated with skin aging).
3. Use sunscreen year-round, even indoors. UV rays are able to penetrate through the clouds, through windows, windshields, and clothing as well. In addition, the rays are reflected by sand, water, snow, ice and pavement which means that year-round, you are at risk. When thinking of the sun, think UV, not heat.
4. Use sunscreen on children and test them out first by applying the product on the wrist.
5. Wear a hat or visor with a wide brim, so it covers the entire face, years and neck.
6. Wear sunglasses that are designed to block UV radiation.
7. When going out on walks or in an environment where you know you’ll be exposed to the sun for a longer period of time, wear long sleeves & pants, made from fabrics that are rated with UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor). The higher the UPF rating, the greater the sun protection.
8. Keep in mind that the sun’s rays are strongest between 10AM and 2PM, so proceed accordingly & during those hours, try to seek shade.
9. Don’t forget about the lips - protect them with an SPF lip balm.
10. Don’t forget about the back of your hands either. Use sun protection on the hands and consider UV driving gloves when driving.
11. There are many over-the-counter and prescription medications that increase skin's sensitivity to UV rays, read labels carefully and use extra sunscreen as needed.
When my Instagram community told me they wanted the first VREA product to be a concealer, I knew in my soul that the product would HAVE TO HAVE sun protection. Especially when the skin around the eyes is most delicate, most sensitive, it’s first to show signs of aging and… the options for eye area sunscreen are dismal at best.
I’ve tried bringing my face sunscreen over the eye area, and when I’m not screaming throughout the day because my eyes are burning out of my head, I have to deal with a texture that makes it very difficult to keep makeup looking decent. Plus, most mineral sunscreens (which are most suitable to sensitive skin and more sensitive areas) leave a white cast residue.
The 4-In-1 Concealer SPF 30 took YEARS to develop.
Because sunscreen is considered an over-the-counter drug, the channels were very complicated. I worked with the best of the absolute best in the United States to bring my vision to life, and I’m incredibly proud of what we have been able to accomplish. There is no product like this on the market. Period.
- Alexandra (founder | CEO)
Product highlights:
● Mineral sunscreen provides broad spectrum SPF 30 protection & it’s considered most suitable for sensitive skin.
● Formulated with Non-nano Zinc Oxide (particles that aren’t small enough to penetrate the skin).
● Broad Spectrum protection, offers UVA and UVB protection.
● No white cast formulation. Remarkable breakthrough for darker skin tones. Tested in flash photography as well – no flashback.