Listen to Lena

Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

Wear Sunscreen.

By

The year was 1997, and Baz Luhrmann’s Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen) was the anthem of the summer. I can recall so many of the lyrics like I listened to them yesterday, and yet, it’s been over 15 years.

I am old.

Baz doled out advice to the emerging generations, often offering pearls of wisdom while chastising us at the same time. But the very beginning of the essay began with the following, well-meaning words:

“Ladies and Gentlemen of the class of ’97: Wear sunscreen.
If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it.
The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists,
whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience…
I will dispense this advice now.”

Well friends, it’s officially Fall. And I want to ask you something… Are You Wearing Sunscreen?

Statistically, the answer is likely no. Because most Canadians associate sun protection with the summer months, and unless they have an SPF built into their daily moisturizer, will bypass the option to slather it on. But would you like to hear another statistic?

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, UVA contributes to and may even initiate the development of skin cancers. Most of us are exposed to large amounts of UVA throughout our lifetime because they are 30 to 50 times more prevalent than UVB rays. UVA rays are the same strength year round and penetrate clouds & glass.

Translation: You still need to wear sunscreen while driving to and from work on a rainy day. OUCH.

Another eye opener: In winter, UV rays still occur and can reflect off snow. The colder seasons mean the ozone layer is thinning out. So, there is less ozone in our atmosphere to absorb the sun’s UV radiation. Even though it feels colder outside, there’s actually more of the sun’s harmful rays hitting the earth’s surface and, yes, your skin.

All this information is making me terribly depressed. Because I’ll admit it; I only wear sunscreen when I’m outdoors for an extended period of time over the summer months. So it’s plainly obvious that I feel like a complete a**hole lecturing y’all on the finer points of sunscreen application when I have much to learn myself.

But I digress. THIS is season that I will change my tune. You may remember that at the beginning of the summer, I asked readers to Rate and Review Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 and Silk Hydration After Sun Lotion. (Check out my post for some of my best tips for staying sun smart on family vacays.)

Well, I thought that I’d save the reader feedback to myself and share it at a time when just about everyone has sunscreen off their radar… oh, right about now!!!

And so in addition to saving your skin from harmful UV rays, here’s why you need to put a bottle of  Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 on your next shopping list:

“The SPF30 Sunscreen Lotion provided the perfect amount of coverage for my medium skin. My skin tans very easily, so I try my best to wear sunscreen all the time although, admittedly, I’m not very good at it because I hate the feel of greasy lotions on my skin. This was definitely not the case with this product! It has the consistency of moisturizer, absorbs well, and does not feel heavy on the skin. I actually applied it regularly before going out in the sun and even used it before going running outdoors, or ‘going out’. It held up through hour-long runs, and I personally only had to apply it once a day when I would go out, although if you have fairer skin, re-application may be necessary. I’d definitely buy this again.” – Victoria

“I am fairly sensitive to scents, but the Silk Hydration SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion had a mild, pleasant scent. It went on smoothly and did not feel greasy. I felt comfortable wearing the product on my face and it did a great job protecting me from the sun. It’s also the prettiest looking sunscreen on the market!” – Robyn

“I love the sunscreen and after care lotion. This is my new favorite sunscreen! Used the sample and went and bought the full size bottle. It has a nice scent and loves that my skin is so soft. I got a nice tan and did not burn using this product.” – Deb

“I love the lightweight composition of this sunscreen. I have avoided putting sunscreen on my face in the past because I hate the way it feels and looks. But this one was completely different. I didn’t even know I had it. It feels just like a moisturizer. The smell is so unbelievable that it instantly transports you to a tropical island. It made my skin feel very soft.” – Melissa 

“I can honestly say that this is the best sunscreen I have ever used! I loved the scent and how very moisturizing it is. I find the SPF 30 factor perfect for me as well. It gives my skin a nice sheen after applied. The fact that it is waterproof as well is an added bonus. This sunscreen paired with the After Sun Moisturizer are the perfect pair. They absorb so nicely on the skin and I love the scent as well. I will recommend this to all my friends and family for sure.” – Andrea

Friends, that’s just a sampling of the love I received for the Silk Hydration Products. To say that they are a reader favourite is an understatement. So, step to it! Protect yourself all year round… starting NOW.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Allie

    Hmmmm thanks for the tips Lena. I never wear sunscreen and I avoid the sun at all times I burn and then theres the hot flashes!!! i have never liked the feeling of sunscreen on my face but…. after hearing about your reviews I might just go buy some and try it out!!! So thanks again for some great advice. :)

  2. Chandra Christine O'Connor

    I still use the after sun lotion on my skin even if Im not out in sun, its great on the elbows :)

  3. Judy C (Cowan)

    Thanks for the post. I have to admit that I am very bad when it comes to wearing sunscreen. I always have it in the house but rarely ever put it on.

  4. Kat E.

    I’m sensitive to scents, so the fact that someone else is and thinks their Silk Hydration SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion is okay in that regard will make me try it for sure! Thanks Lena!

  5. Lisa H

    I love the new Silk line! But like you I’m a summer only SPF kind of girl. And even with sunscreen this summer, l found a marked difference in the colour of my arms from getting car window tan!

  6. Jenny

    I have always been diligent with making sure to wear sunscreen everyday but I recently got lazy and used the excuse that the weather is gloomy and that there is no sun, so therefore, no sunscreen is OK…. well, it’s not! thanks for the reminder. I have to stock up on a new sunscreen soon so I will definitely be looking into Hawaiian Tropics!

  7. Flora M

    Well, I guess I should start using it all year round – I just have to look at the sun in the summer and I burn. Excellent advice and for the winter I think I will invest in the Silk Hydration one. I have been using Hawaiian Tropic’s Sheer Touch over the summer – SPF 85 (yep, I am that sun-sensitive). I would get it in a lower SPF for winter though ;)

  8. Luisa

    I do not use sunscreen year round, but definitely will start to do so! Thanks for the information Lena. I think its a great habit to get our kids into as well. They probably are exposed to more rays in the winter during outdoor recess than we realize.

  9. Mary

    I swim outdoors in the summer so I usually put it on before swimming. Other times, not so much but I suppose those rays do affect us year round; thanks for the reminder to slather it on more often.

  10. Soozle

    I am VERY guilty of not wearing sunscreen in the fall… I have also read that if you are using your sunscreen correctly (A shotglass size amount daily) it should never expire.. and yeah, I am guilty of that too!

    Thanks for the reminder!

  13. loriag

    Thanks for the info. We where sunscrean, well I should say some of us where sunscreen. The husband slathers it everywhere he has to, he is very sun sensitive now going through Leukemia. I where it, but the boys who are in their teens still do not.

  14. Darlene Schuller

    This is the sunscreen we use and I love it. The moisturizer makes a huge difference in my skin and how it reacts in/after sun! Love this stuff!

  15. Beth Whittington

    I have been wearing sunscreen daily on my face and neck. It’s hard to cover your whole body every day though, I know it’s important but it’s such a pain!

  16. Tammy Dalley

    Thanks for the tips, I was able to get samples of this through a blog this summer, and I loved it!!!