Summer's coming. Is your face ready?

Hello everyone!

It's nearing the end of May, for those of us in the northern half of the planet, this means summer. And summer means being out in the sun!

But we all know that sun damage is one of the leading causes of premature aging and skin cancer.  What a killjoy.  But with developments in science, this can be prevented or lessened, with our good buddy sunblock!

Sunblock (especially on the face) is actually something we should be wearing all year, even on cloudy days. The UVA/UVB rays are still getting in through the clouds.  I have also read that even if you are predominantly indoors, wear your sunscreen on your face especially if you work near windows. Yep, those pesky harmful rays can penetrate glass.

I recently bought my facial sunblock for the summer, switching brands this time.  I normally wear Shiseido suncare on my face, but I wanted to go a little less expensive and a little higher SPF.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I bring you Neutrogena Age Shield Face Sunblock Lotion in SPF 110.

This product can be found at most drug stores for about 14$, and on www.drugstore.com for $9.99. I paid almost 40$ for my Shiseido sunblock in the past.

This product contains helioplex, which is a proprietary blend that screens out the burning UVB rays and helps stop the UVA rays (the rays that age skin) from penetrating.  It also claims to be non-comedogenic (not pore clogging), PABA free, oil-free and non greasy.

So, how did I like it? I do not like it. I love it.   It felt as luxurious as my more expensive sunblocks in my past.  It goes on very smooth, a little goes a long way. It feels like a nice facial moisturizer and in about a  minute, it dries to a soft, velvety, near-invisible matte finish.  I also love how it comes in 110 SPF (I am fair skinned so I need all the help I can get) and for those who don't want or need so much I believe it also comes in 55 SPF.   Here's the part where it gets tricky- the smell. It smells like sunblock, and the smell is a little strong. I don't mind it because it DOES go away for the most part, and the smell is still pleasant.  Also, be careful applying this product around the eye area. If you sweat before the sunblock has dried and you have lotion applied near the skin, it may run and it DOES sting.  The best way to protect the skin around the delicate eye area is to wear sunglasses when you are outdoors during the day /or wear a wide-brimmed hat.

Pros: Feels great on, non greasy, high SPF, not very expensive, good as an everyday sunscreen

Cons: stings eyes, strong smell for some, not very sweatproof