Use SPF Face Cream All Year Around

Lumin (black) is sunscreen for men, so I've never tried it.

After my morning shower I apply face cream (or lotion) over a face serum every day of the year. Only in the month of August during those dog days of heat and humidity could I skip the step of hydrating my face if desired, however, I don't do so. The reason why is we need to use sunscreen every day of the year to prevent aging (lines, wrinkles and dark sun spots), plus more importantly, skin cancer. Therefore I use a multi-tasking face moisturizer with SPF 15 or higher. Without. Fail. Every. Day. Of. The. Year. 

As we've moved from summer into fall, you may have noticed your skin is getting dryer. I have, and if a dry face bothers you as it does me, you may need to add a face cream to your daily routine, so why not select one that also contains the sun protection you should be wearing daily? Kill two birds with one stone and done!

Allow me to highlight 6 SPF [Sun Protector Factor] face moisturizers whose light, non-greasy consistency I like, as well as, give you the pros and cons of the choices I don't buy:

1) Olay moisturizers come in broad spectrum SPF 15, 30, and 50. I've tried all the formulas but stick with the Olay Complete with SPF 15 -- the most generous size. The sun protection is zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which I prefer to more questionable chemicals. All of the Olay formulas are creamy and greaseless, but the SPF 50 has a thicker consistency than the SPF 15. The Olay Complete 15 Sensitive formula works for me as it moisturizes while disappearing into my skin. With a lower SPF of 15, you simply need to reapply it every 2 hours if out and about in direct sunlight all day. SPF 30 or SPF 50 doesn't provide significantly more protection, but you can stretch the duration of reapplying them. There is none better than the Olay formulas and they are dirt cheap too!

2) Eucerin Daily Protection Moisturizing Face Lotion SPF 30 - It's much like Olay, as is the Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Facial Moisturizer with Total Soy Complex and Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen, and all 3 brands are inexpensive and conveniently available at your local drugstore. Olay was the earliest to appear on the market and for this reason, is usually the easiest brand to find, but all 3 are comparable, which lets you grab whichever brand goes on sale when you need one.

3) CeraVe 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 Face - Contains the usual suspects of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide along with the extra beneficial skincare ingredients of hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and ceramides. Dermatologists like that CeraVe puts ceramides (a family of waxy lipid molecules) in it's skincare products to fortify our skin barrier.

4) Laroche Posay Anthelios Face 60 - The customer raves are for the European formula of Anthelios which contains Mexoryl, a patented UVA blocker that is highly stable and approved in Europe and Canada, but not approved by the FDA for use in the USA. The European version is light, thin, absorbent, and doesn't degrade after hours of sun exposure. Laroche is a skincare brand dermatologists universally recommend, but it's expensive. To be honest, I like the brand, but don't tend to buy it. IMHO you can find as good for less.

5) Paula's Choice Defense Essential Glow Moisturizer SPF 30 - Paula's Choice is very good skincare, not the most expensive on the list, and yet still pricey if using it every day. Repeated buys add up! With a bit of research, you can often find the same ingredients from less costly competitors. Nonetheless, P.C. is stellar skincare, not crazy expensive, and perhaps sometimes worth a splurge. You decide for yourself.

6. Neutrogena Age Shield Face Oil-Free Sunscreen 70 - Neutrogena has SPF 30, 50, or 70 face moisturizers galore in cream, lotion, or gel forms, and some with extra ingredients to benefit the skin. Personally, unless I need a particular ingredient to treat a skin issue, I buy the cheapest SPF moisturizer offered that I like. Since I use an anti-aging face serum under my moisturizer, it's the moisturizer with sunscreen I'm after. If our serum already has vitamin C or hyaluronic acid in it, we're covered. More isn't always better, so if the extra ingredient drives the price up, why pay more for it in a moisturizer?

Luckily I'm happy with Olay Complete 15 Sensitive as a moisturizer with sun protection since it's about as cheap as you can buy. Spend more when it matters, but you can save on the category of SPF face creams/lotions without compromise. There are a ton of quality selections for less in a drugstore aisle ... often under $10.🎀💙

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Fall And Winter Defense Against Dry Body Parts

At the end of summer, I notice the season is already changing resulting in dryer skin, not the cuticles just yet. But! Dry nail cuticles are sure to follow soon enough. Therefore it's not too early to stock up on moisturizers and treatments to fight our soon-to-be dry seasons. I'm also committed to downsizing the number of skincare products it takes to do the job. Curating products that really work plus acting as multi-taskers whenever possible, is THE SAVVY SHOPPER way! 

So the following are some products to fight Old Man Winter who is leaving the Southern Hemisphere and is on his way here. 

1) Cuccico Cuticle Oil (above top👆) - The cuticle oil repairs dry cracked nails and damaged skin. There are zero artificial ingredients in this healing vitamin E infused treatment oil. It's 100% paraben-free and animal cruelty-free and contains 100% plant and natural ingredients including safflower, sunflower, and sweet almond oils.

2) O'Keeffe's Working Hands Cream - It's serious relief for extremely dry and cracked hands. Glycerin and allantoin are key ingredients. This stuff begins by boosting moisture to dry hands and then creates a protective layer on the skin's surface to lock in the moisture.

3) Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream - I compared many of the top drugstore skin moisturizing creams and hands down selected Cetaphil above all others. It's rich, moisturizing, greaseless, unscented, thick, and creamy, and yet absorbs easily into the skin without leaving a residue. Now with hydrating glycerin and skin essential vitamins B5 (panthenol) and B3 (niacinamide), your skin feels soft and smooth after an application with no trace of stickiness. There are zero irritants in this gentle formula so I use it as a universal skin cream from face to toe, which is why I highly recommend it over all its competitors. The big value size is a bonus, and the advertised dermatologist recommended on its jar is true (heard it with my own ears). Because Cetaphil has no fragrance, it will never dry out your skin, including your face, body, or cuticles. Bar none, you cannot get a better smoothing, moisturizing skin cream at any price!

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Skincare For French Girl Beauty

Today I'd like to introduce you to 5 French moisturizing beauty products which have a cult-like following in France. Believe it or not, each is reasonably priced not often the case for anything with a French label. Countering Chanel, Laura Mercier, Anne Semonin, and Dior beauty, the following French skincare products are in the $14 - $25 range.

1) Nuxe (top image👆) is a brand that uses botanicals to nourish, repair, and beautify. The Huile Prodigieuse Oil contains nourishing Tsubaki oil to treat the face, body, and hair. It leaves your skin soft and silky and your hair with a healthy shine.

2) Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentre is a daily face and body cream. It acts as a (1) moisturizer, (2) makeup primer, (3) makeup remover, and (4) skin mask. Good for all skin types, the lait cream is non-comedogenic with a sweet floral scent. French women often apply it after a face serum, especially in cold, dry months.

3) Mustela Hydra Bebe Body Lotion is a daily moisturizer for babies yet loved by the whole family. Containing avocado, jojoba, and sunflower oil -- gentle and non-greasy -- it absorbs quickly to soften and protect the skin. This body lotion is a staple in a French home.

4) La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 Therapeutic Multi-Purpose Cream - Rich in shea butter, this multi-taster hydrates dry and irritated skin on the face, lips, body, and hands. It is a non-greasy, non-sticky skin balm containing vitamin B5 and thermal mineral-rich spring water leaving a matte finish. Great for babies over 4 months old and anyone with sensitive skin. The entire La Roche-Posay skincare line is a go-to brand found in the aisle of a French pharmacy. 

5) Let's return to the Nuxe brand for its popular, rich, nourishing Reve de Miel lip balm. The ingredients include beeswax, shea butter, olus oil, sweet almond oil, honey, rosa moschata seed oil, and sunflower seed oil to treat and soothe dry, damaged lips. Wow, leave it to the French to know how to bump up a chapstick!😎

France is known for its stellar quality and natural approach to beauty, and now 5 of the country's secrets are out for us to try! All are time-tested skincare products in achieving that reputed Beauté fille française (French girl beauty) without breaking the bank!

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For Skin Care Try Bath & Body Works

Products that moisturize, protect, and keep your skin healthy and young usually cost a fortune. Bath & Body Works is a favorite store to buy skin serums and anti-aging creams at reasonable prices. I use many of Dr. Patricia Wexler's line, which are carried there. If you get on their mailing list, you receive $10 coupons to use at the register. Last night I bought Dr. Patricia Wexler's Universal Anti-Aging Cleanser, which sells for $16. After using my $10 coupon, I paid $6 for 5.1 fluid oz. Now that's a bargain. To find other deals visit: bathandbodyworks.com.