Cold Sun Skin Crisis: Labor Day Beauty Tips

Labor Day Weekend ushers in fall, and with it, our excuse to finally wear those strappy Ni Toi Ni Moi Christian Louboutin ankle boots (if only in our imaginations). As you retire the espadrilles and sparkly tinted moisturizers, it's easy to lose your mandatory layer of UV armor when your skin is hiding under layers of winter flannel, but to beat a dead horse: don't. Everyone knows they should use sunscreen year-round, and, as a survivor of skin cancer -- the deadly melanoma, to be exact -- I'm siding with those pesky derms out there campaigning for SPF. It's a fact that most of your wardrobe staples only account for about 2% of protection (the same as using an SPF of 7). With an array of easy-to-use products, and formulas with multiple uses, there's no excuse. Recently I complained to my dermatologist about my ho-hum sunscreen routine, and he gave me his take on some of the best protection products on the market.

Overall Best Product: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 100+ with Helioplex. My dermatologist swears by this product and filled my purse with tiny samples just to prove it could be used on a daily basis. It’s surprisingly sheer, and it didn’t sting my legs after a close shave. I apply it straight from the shower and let it dry before other lotions, oils, and perfumes. Doc says this is his number one because of the advanced helioplex ingredient, which offers the “highest combined UVA/UVB protection, shielding both UVB burning rays and skin-aging UVA rays.”

For Sporty Outdoor Days: Since I spend a lot of time with outdoor sports, growing up with beach volleyball, and now snowboarding, my doctor said Coppertone Sport Continuous Spray SPF 50 is my best bet. He said he generally likes Coppertone products, and the formula goes on clear, which means I don’t have to deal with greasy hands, and the spay nozzle gives a very even mist for specific coverage. He told me I could start with my regular SPF lotion, and use this continuously for sweat-proof extended coverage. I spent all summer with this spray, and I have to herald the advancements sunscreen has made (thinking back to the stripe of glue-y sunscreen I used to rock on my nose as a kid).

When You Need to Glow: Neutragena is once again high on his list, though when I asked him about my need for shimmery skin, he pointed to the area in which I had melanoma removed years ago and asked me what was more important. True, but can I still be responsible while looking good? He offered Neutrogena Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer SPF 30 in Light Tint. For the face, he says La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL tinted creme in SPF 60 is one of the best around.

Skin Nourishing Sunscreen: La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60, seems to be the best sunscreen in the world. It’s no secret that topical vitamins are making strides in all things beauty related, and this sunscreen offers a big bang for your buck. The SPF 60 teams up with antioxidants, penetrates deep, and promotes the overall health of your skin.