Tag Archives: sun

SmartSun Wristband Review | Parenting

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sunprotectionforkidsWe reviewed the SmartSun Wristband. An ingenious way of keeping safe in the sun for children and adults. They are very easy to use and they work well. The bands are single use and come in a pack of 5. These bands can be used by all ages to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Especially useful given the rising skin cancer figures.

 

Fresh air and warm weather are healthy for children and, and small doses of Vitamin D from the sun’s rays are good for baby’s skin. Children have delicate and sensitive skin however, so it is important to make sure their SPF is topped up at all times when outside in the sun.

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It is easy to forget about reapplying sun cream when you are out having fun, but the SmartSun wristband provides an easy to read indicator of how much UV radiation they have been exposed too. It works by measuring the amount of UV radiation, and lets you know when to reapply sun cream and when they have had too much sun.

 

With two colour changes – one to tell you when your children’s sun cream needs reapplying, and one to tell you when to avoid the sun, you can enjoy the time spent outside by using the Smartsun wristband to accurately time the next sun cream application. The band is discreet and comfortable to wear for either adults or children and can be used in and out of both pool and sea water.

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Available from www.smartsunuk.co.uk priced at £4.99 for a pack of 5.

 

 

 

Soleve Sunburn Relief Review | Health

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Summer may feel like a distant memory but there are still a few lucky ones on holiday. In the hope of some future summer days, or future holidays we have reviewed Soleve Sunburn Relief. It is the first licensed product of its type specifically formulated to ease the pain and discomfort of mild to moderate sunburn. solevesunburnreliefreview Here is what they say:

Soleve Sunburn Relief is a lotion applied to mild to moderately sunburnt skin to relieve the pain of the sunburn and to moisture the skin. It combines two active ingredients to deliver effective relief right where it’s needed: an effective analgesic, ibuprofen, and an emollient, isopropyl myristate.

Ibuprofen is a well-known Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug (NSAID) that is a powerful painkiller and reduces inflammation. Soleve is specially designed to deliver therapeutic levels of ibuprofen directly into sunburnt skin – precisely where it is needed.

Isopropyl myristate, is an emollient which effectively soothes and moisturises the skin by trapping water. Rehydration of sunburnt skin is very important to promote the normal healing process and to make the skin feel more comfortable by reducing both the skin tightness of sunburn and the frictional irritation between sunburnt skin and clothing.

 

This lotion goes on easily and a little bit goes a long way. It absorbs well and you can use it up to eight times a day. Does it work on sunburn? Yes, it eases and soothes. It is quite pricey at £9.95 but it does work, both moisturising and painkilling. It doesn’t smell bad and is not overpowering either. Recommended as a first-aid kit essential, good stuff.

 

Available from Boots and Boots.com

 

 

La Roche-Posay Event | New Anthelios XL Products

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I recently went to check out the new products in La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios facial sun protection range. The pimms and prosecco was flowing and the great and good of beauty was hanging out in the garden when they weren’t checking out the amazing range.

I wear sun protection every single day, even when it is snowing. In fact, I was wearing La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios AC 30 SPF to the event, something that made the La Roche-Posay people happy. I am sure it is why people think I am a few years younger than I actually am. I had my skin read by a machine that shows up every sign of aging like sun damage and wrinkles. Apparently I have skin that is younger than someone in their late-twenties. I put it down completely to using sun protection.

Here are some facts:

66% of UK women are concerned about ageing and proactively preventing it.

80% of premature skin ageing is due to exposure to UVA or UVB rays from the sun.

However only 3% of money spent on anti-ageing products is on facial sun protection.

And 70% of consumers use the same sun screen product on their body & face.

Hmm. A little worrying.

I love La Roche-Posay Anthelios as it is matte. Too many sun creams leave the face shiny, sticky and they also feel heavy. Anthelios is a light, matte fluid that makes you feel like you are not even wearing sun protection while protecting you.

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The new packaging, thicker and shorter, more compact, looks great. You can buy the new Anthelios XL SPF 50+ for even higher protection and Anthelios XL Compact Cream SPF 50+, which looked natural when I tried it on my hand. It is skin perfecting makeup and sun protection all in one. Ideal for busy women and just very cool.

I love the new range and when my Anthelios AC runs out I will move on the the Anthelios XL.

Forget Tattoos, ‘Tantoos’ Are The Safe Way To Achieve Beautiful Body Art

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tantoosCancer Research UK announced this week that skin cancer rates have surged, with more than 13,000 people developing a malignant melanoma each year. Exposure to the sun or sunbeds before the age of 25 can almost double the risk of getting skin cancer in later life.

 

TanOrganic is urging young people to limit their exposure to harmful UV rays, and has teamed up with an aspiring artist to create a form of body art to convey their message. Tantoos are semi-permanent, safe and effective. They use fake tan to create beautifully intricate patterns that last around a week – allowing the subject to express their creativity without regretting it!

 

This picture shows a design by aspiring tantoo artist, Lucie England, 17, using TanOrganic’s certified organic self-tanning lotion. The tan was applied using a brush, with the tantoo drying in less than 10 minutes. Visible upon application, the design fully develops within six to eight hours.

 

The tantoo is made from food-based ingredients including caramel, honey, sugar, beetroot and orange peel, and is free from harmful parabens, perfumes and synthetic ingredients. Lucie used TanOrganic’s original self-tan lotion for this particular tantoo, which is aloe vera based and nourishing to skin.

 

Noelle O’Connor, founder of TanOrganic – who appeared on Dragon’s Den in Ireland and successfully gained investment for the brand – said:

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“Tantoos allow people to have a safe alternative to permanent tattoos they may regret later. Using fake tan is a great way to express creativity and adorn our bodies, especially in the summer months when more flesh is on display. We foresee them being popular at festivals and events where people like to express themselves and just be unique.”

 

“Of course for a tantoo to show up you have to have tanless skin in the first place, which is an important message to convey. If your skin is sun damaged before the age of 25 you are almost twice as likely to develop skin cancer later in life. I devote a lot of time to educating young people about the dangers of getting lucieenglanda real tan; it’s shocking to think that nearly 90% of skin cancer cases can be prevented with simple lifestyle choices. I hope that our work with Lucie on tantoos promotes this message to young people and literally saves their skin!”

 

Unlike henna tattoos, tantoos are cleaner and easier because they take minutes to apply and dry, and there’s no messy paste to wash off afterwards.

 

Aspiring tantoo artist Lucie England (pictured left), aged 17 and from Surrey, is currently studying A-level art & design, graphics and psychology and is aiming to be the UK’s first tantoo artist.

 

 

P20 Sun Protection Review: Once A Day Sun Protection

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P20 Sun Protection, sun protection, one application, lasts all day, beauty review, I am completely obsessed with sun protection and I think it has paid off. People are usually surprised when I tell them I am in my late-twenties. But it is not just wrinkles that it stops, it also protects you against burning and skin cancer.

Despite my love of sun protection, it sure is a pain. You have to reapply a lot and it usually explodes in your bag. Pretty annoying.

P20 Sun Protection is different. On the box it says it is water resistant, quick drying and lasts for 10 hours. I am pretty impressed and decide to review it.

It is a clear spray, always good to stop you looking like the joker from Batman. It does dry quickly. It is water resistant for up to 80 minutes. It doesn’t leave any white marks and doesn’t have any fragrance, colourants or preservatives. This is the perfect sun protection for me as I am always so busy and you can just apply and go.  You can also buy it in a spray.

I can recommend P20 Sun Protection. It works and it is fuss-free. Perfect for even my sensitive skin. Good stuff.

What they say:

“After over three decades of success, the new range of P20 which launched in 2013 comprises 3 new products. SPFs 15, 30 and 50+ join the iconic SPF20 – providing long-lasting protection for all skin types.

 

Active 15 minutes after application, P20 contains both UVA and UVB filters, providing broad spectrum sun protection for up to 10 hours and uses a unique, alcohol-based formula that sets it apart from traditional cream-type sun products.  The very water resistant formula is clear, non-greasy, fragrance and paraben free, to provide the ultimate coverage.

 

The long-lasting formula is clear, fragrance and paraben free and is available in SPFs 15, 30 and 50+ as well as the iconic SPF20. The new range is available in both 200ml and a travel friendly 100ml size from all major grocery and pharmacy retailers.  The RRP (recommended retail price) of P20 is 100ml £13.29 and 200ml £24.49. Available from Superdrug and Ocado”

Cheap and cheerful sun in Gran Canaria

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When you want to escape the cold and gloom of a northern European winter, you generally have to think about travelling a long distance to get some heat and sunshine. The Caribbean, Thailand, India all offer warmth and great holiday resorts, but it takes a long flight to get there, and though there are deals to be had, they generally aren’t cheap.

An alternative that will save both travel time and money is to head to the Canaries – a group of Spanish islands that are situated off the north-west coast of Africa in the Atlantic. Known for their fantastic climate, they are sometimes nicknamed the Fortunate Isles and their climate is referred to as ‘eternal spring’. In fact, the climate varies little during the year, and while the winters are warm and mild, the summer temperatures don’t ever get unbearable.

The main islands are Tenerife, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria and they have been dedicated to mass tourism for the last sixty years. Consequently, these places are really ideally set up for holidaymakers looking for beautiful beaches, hotels with great facilities and lots of different things to do. The Canaries make an ideal location to take the family for a ‘fun in the sun’ holiday, but you can also find quieter resorts if you’re after a walking or hiking holiday.

The biggest and most popular resort on Gran Canaria has to be Playa del Ingles, where you’ll find the biggest concentration of tourist attractions like waterparks and hotels such as the IFA Continental which all boast excellent facilities including swimming pools, tennis courts and spas and are designed to make your holiday relaxing but simultaneously full of entertainment possibilities.

Whoever you’re going on holiday with, you’ll find a resort in Gran Canaria that is suitable for your party, and the fact that you can get there so cheaply and easily makes it an ideal place for a sunshine break any time of the year.

 

Ways To Get A Little Sun This Winter

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Ah, the great British winter. The season of dark nights and bitter cold temperatures, has somehow managed to creep up on us for another year.

Now I know what you’re thinking, just where has the time gone, right? It only feels like yesterday that we were enjoying the summer sun, and suddenly some how we’re now donning our thickest coats, wooliest jumpers and cosiest boots.

I’m sure I’m not alone in saying that rather than relishing what the great British winter has to offer, all I associate it with is sneezing, colds, rain, rain and more rain. Wouldn’t it be great if we could just hibernate for the whole season, or run away to a hot country somewhere? Well, it’s exactly what some fellows do when it hits this time of year (the hot country bit, not the hibernating bit).

Jetting off to a corner of the earth where the sun still shines during the winter is a great way to catch some winter rays.

So, if you’re seriously considering booking yourself on the next plane in order to do so, then here’s a little guide of short-haul, mid-haul and long-haul options to help you on your way.

Short-Haul

If you’re simply looking to step out of the dreary winter and into something just a little bit brighter, than a trip into Europe may be what you’re looking for.

Locations such as the French and Italian Rivieras, Sicily, Majorca and Portugal are perfect if you’re after simply a brighter winter. Although these locations don’t boast scorching heat in the winter months, they do offer reasonable temperatures, sunny days and beautiful surroundings that’ll give you a whole different meaning to the word ‘winter’.

Whether you opt for a hotel stay or prefer to hire out a villa, such as a Portugal property for your short break, you’ll be amazed at how far you can be from the British weather, without having to travel to the other side of the world to get it. With flight times of less than 4 hours, they’re perfect for both week-long stays or long weekends.

Mid-Haul

If you are looking for temperatures a little higher than what Europe has to offer for this time of year, then there are a vast array of mid-haul options that’ll help you escape.

By hopping on a plane ride of 5 hours, you can find yourself in the beautiful Cape Verde, situated off the coast of Africa. Cape Verde offers average temperatures of between 22 and 29 degrees in the winter months, and with the area boasting stunning surroundings, you really can’t go wrong.

Egypt is also a popular choice with holidaymakers looking to get away for some winter sun. With a flight time from the UK of around 5 hours again, you can experience a city break in Cairo or take a River Cruise up the world famous Nile. What’s guaranteed is that whatever you choose to do, you’ll feel a million miles from the British winter weather.

Long-Haul

So, you’ve been saving up your annual leave days all year in hope of one thing as the end of the year approaches; a well-deserved holiday soaking up the scorching hot sun.

If this is you and you’re really looking to travel far to escape the winter weather, then the Caribbean is definitely for you.

From locations such as the Maldives, the Seychelles or Barbados, all with a flight times of around 8 hours, it’s time to don that bikini, take a dip in the ocean and take long strolls along the beautiful white sandy beaches. With temperatures of around 30 degrees Celsius, what was all that moaning about winter again?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inspired by the Olympics? Try a Sports Holiday in Lanzarote!

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Nicknamed ‘Europe’s Hawaii’, Lanzarote is blessed with strong Atlantic winds and year round warm waters– the perfect combination for activity based breaks. Lanzarote holidays are just a four hour flight from London and boast a combination of long sandy beaches and sheltered bays. With the Olympics fast approaching everyone is a little bit more conscious about being healthy so why not incorporate it into your annual summer holiday?

 

Surfing

 

Lanzarote is one of Europe’s top surfing destinations. In summer the waves can reach heights of 4ft and in winter they’re even bigger. Experienced surfers head for the northern and north eastern shores of Lanzarote. The beaches near Jameos Del Agua are particularly popular, the waves break across a volcanic reef and shouldn’t be tackled by beginners. Famara’s award winning beach is another top spot. This large bay has consistent conditions and enough space for both beginners and experts.

 

Whether you’re a first timer or if you want to improve your skills, there are plenty of surf schools on the island, such as Surf School Lanzarote. You can rent boards and equipment from any places from around €10 a day.

 

Windsurfing

 

Lanzarote is also ideal for windsurfing. In fact, it is so good that Costa Teguise regularly plays host to the PWA World Windsurfing Championships. Both beginners and experts can windsurf in Lanzarote, although beginners are advised avoid the afternoons when the wind gets really strong. Afternoon windsurfing really is just for the experienced, especially in May, June, July and August when conditions are at their best.

 

If you’ve never windsurfed before or you want to improve your technique, then there are a number of schools and board rental outlets on Lanzarote. Head for Playa Blanca, Tias, or Las Cucharas. Companies like Windsurf Paradise can rent boards and provide tuition.

 

Kite Surfing

 

Lanzarote’s Atlantic swells and winds are perfect for kite surfing. Popular locations include Playa Honda, near the airport, and Matagorda, north of Puerto del Carmen, although Famara Beach is the most famous location for kite surfing. There are a number of operators who rent to equipment or run courses, including Surf and Kite Lanzarote in Famara.

 

Diving

 

Lanzarote’s Atlantic waters are home to some stunning underwater scenery. Add to that visibility of 20 meters and an average year-round temperature of between 17 and 22 degrees and it’s easy to understand why diving is so popular here. There are a number of PADI registered dive operations on the island, including The Dive Shop Lanzarote and Manta Diving Lanzarote. The south and south eastern coasts are particularly good for diving as the waters are calmer. Underwater treats include wrecks, volcanic caves and the man-made reef at Puerto del Carmen

 

When it comes to action and adventure in the water it doesn’t get much better than holidays to Lanzarote. Whether you fancy surfing, kite surfing, windsurfing or diving, there’s something for every level of experience.