Save Lives this Summer with La Roche-Posay

"Then followed that beautiful season...Summer....
Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape
lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood."
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

When I think of summer, I think of fun by the pool, running through the sprinklers with fruity cool Popsicles, outdoor barbecues & patio entertaining, warm sand between my toes at the beach, picnics at the park, kites filling the sky, the scent of freshly cut grass and suntan lotion, the bustling farmers markets on a weekend morning and the sounds of the ice cream man echoing through the neighborhood streets.

Beautiful & pure magic, isn't it?

As we bask underneath the summer sun, little do we know the hidden dangers and what's really going on with our skin and bodies.

Did you know that 78,000 Canadians will be diagnosed with skin cancer this year? 

5,500 of those cases will be skin cancer’s deadliest form, Melanoma.  

What is Melanoma?

Melanoma is a malignant tumor of melanocytes. Melanocytes are cells that produce the dark pigment, melanin, which is responsible for the color of skin. They predominantly occur in skin, but are also found in other parts of the body, including the bowel and the eye. 

Melanoma is less common than other skin cancers. However, it is much more dangerous if it is not found early. It causes the majority (75%) of deaths related to skin cancer. Worldwide, doctors diagnose about 160,000 new cases of melanoma yearly. It is more common in women than in men. In women, the most common site is the legs and melanomas in men are most common on the back. 

La Roche-Posay, the #1 Dermatologist recommended skin care brand, needs your help to raise sun protection awareness with their Save Lives! program.
Follow them on Facebook  to receive sun tips every week and keep up-to-date with interesting and informative content and learn more about this very important Save Lives! program and help save lives of those you care about!

On top of learning more about the Save Lives! program,  you can also share your own advice or vote for your favourite submission in the advice gallery.

You can vote for as many stories as you want every day until July 15th! The most voted for stories will have a chance to win the grand prizes, so feel free to encourage friends and family to participate and vote! 

Remember, 90% of skin cancers can be cured if detected early enough and Canadians can visit MySkinCheck.ca for tools and resources needed to check themselves for early signs of skin cancer.  Feel free to read on for the hard facts of sun protection. 

The FACTS:

• Your skin is damaged after 15 minutes of unprotected exposure to the sun
• You  need to use a golf ball-sized amount of sunscreen to adequately protect yourself from head to toe 
• 43% of individuals only apply sunscreen when the sun is very intense (guilty)
• 36% of Canadians think having a tan is important (especially our youth -- spread the word!)
• Melanoma represents 1/3 of all new cancers – one of the fastest growing cancers worldwide 
• In North America, one person dies from melanoma every hour
• 1 in 7 Canadians will develop skin cancer in their lifetime (this is scary to think about!)
• 7 in 10 women don’t know how to properly apply sunscreen lotion
• 4 in 10 individuals don’t use sunscreen because of texture (my husband would be one of the 4...)

Whoa to those facts! 

I've been guilty on a few of those in my years which is why spreading the word about the Save Lives! program is so beneficial, especially to our youth and teens that think having a super-awesome tan and being as dark as possible equates to a much more attractive exterior.  May I remind you folks of the "tanning mom", Patricia Krentcil? Enough said.

I've always been big on sunscreen, even when it comes to my moisturizers and in the event I must wear it, foundation (even blushes, bronzers and concealers have sunscreen too!).

The generation of women in my mom's side of the family tend to be more prone to skin moles and freckles.  Since I was a very little girl, I still remember my mom lathering sunscreen all over me and my siblings skin before we out to play outdoors.

Now that I'm a mom, I do the same for my daughter and continuously do it for myself (and constantly reminding my husband too as well!)

My Top 10 Summer Skincare Tips

1. Stay hydrated. Your body tends to lose a lot of moisture in the summer, so it’s important to regularly replenish the H2O. Drink a lot of water and liquids and your skin will stay soft and moisturized as well.

2. Sun protection. If you can, try and stay indoors between 11am and 3pm. That’s when the sun’s rays are the strongest and can have an adverse effect on your skin. Also, don’t forget to apply that all-important sunscreen 30 minutes before you step out. If you’ve been out in the sun for a few hours, touch it up again so you’re well protected.

3. Use a toner. It’s important to keep your pores closed and skin cool by using a toner. Look for a brand that suits you or try rose water. Its natural cooling properties make it an excellent toner for the hot season.
Check out La Roche-Posay's great line of skincare products here.

4. Go for a water-based moisturizer. Don’t make the mistake of skipping the moisturizing routine altogether as its essential for your skin to remain hydrated. However, if you find your regular moisturizer too oily, go for a water-based one.

5. Ditch those aerated drinks. Most people have the tendency to reach out for an ice cold aerated drink to quench their thirst on a really hot day. However, it’s important to remember that these drinks are full of sugar that is not good for your skin or your figure. Instead drink some water, fresh lime, fresh fruit juices or coconut water to stay hydrated. It’s also best to minimize the intake of diuretics like alcohol and caffeine as they reduce the water from your system.

6. Cleanse your face twice a day. At least! This is important to do even if you’ve been home all day and feel like your skin is clean. Cleansing and moisturizing your skin before sleeping is an absolute must.

7. Exfoliate. More than the rest of the year, it’s really important to exfoliate your skin in the summer to remove dead skin and improve blood circulation to the face. Choose from any of the cosmetic scrubs available in the market or make one at home. Try this simple one using 4 to 5 tbsps of gram flour, a pinch of turmeric, 5 – 6 drops of rose water and milk or yogurt. Mix it into a paste and use it to exfoliate your face. Follow it up with a face mask and moisturizer.

8. Don’t like your tan? Gram flour can also be used as a face mask to get rid of an uneven tan. Mix it with yogurt and a few drops of lemon and apply and leave it on your face till it’s dry. The citrus properties of the lemon are very effective in removing the tan.

9. Get that warm, summer glow. Papaya is full of natural goodness and you can even use it as a homemade pack. Just mash 2 tbsp of papaya with a tsp of honey and 1 egg white. Leave the mixture on your face for about 15 minutes and enjoy the glow you get afterwards.

10. Cool your skin. Blending half a cucumber and 1 tbsp of yogurt in the mixer can make another simple and effective homemade face pack. Apply this to your face for 15 minutes and feel completely pampered.

Bonus tip: Eat healthy, exercise and sleep well! The holy trinity of good health and glowing skin holds true for the whole year. So along with all the tips above, don’t forget to eat a balanced diet, work out for at least 45 minutes everyday and get 7 to 8 hours of sleep. 

Do you have any good summer (or even all year-round) skincare tips you'd like to share?



****Disclosure: I’m participating in the La Roche-Posay Brand Ambassador program via PTPA Media Inc. As a part of my participation in the campaign compensation has been received. All opinions expressed are those of my own.