Everything She Wants

This year, the first day of summer -- known as the Summer Solstice -- is June 20, 2012.   Everything She Wants plans to celebrate the longest day of the year in New York City with a free evening yoga class in Times Square sponsored by Athleta. But with a weather forecast for temps close to 100 degrees, I plan to apply plenty of my favorite sunscreens; the paraben-and-fragrance-free  Kiss My Face Sun Spray Lotion, SPF 30 (available at Whole Foods Market)  on my body and LaRoche-Posay Anthelios 45 Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid Broad Spectrum SPF 45 as a facial moisturizer . Use a broad spectrum sun screen. Both products have "broad spectrum" coverage, which means they protect against UVB (short solar rays that cause burning and skin cancer) and UVA (long solar rays that cause skin cancer and wrinkles).  If a sunscreen doesn't say broad spectrum or UVB/UVA protection, then ease on down the aisle to find one that does. And when it comes to SPF ratings (sun protect...

This summer there's a lot of buzz about sunscreen.   Under new FDA regulations, sunscreen products must protect against both UVA and UVB rays equally to be able to carry the “broad spectrum” label.  According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, sunburn is primarily caused by UVB rays, while UVA rays cause skin cancer and premature aging. What's really news to Everything She Wants is that the FDA also introduced a proposed rule that would limit the maximum SPF value on sunscreen labels to 50+.  Turns out, sunscreen above SPF 50 has not been proven to be any more effective in preventing sunburn, premature aging or skin cancer. So parents can feel confident in using Sunbow sunscreen products ($7.99 - $12.99) on their kids (and themselves).  Sunbow's cleverly packaged products have  Nickelodeon characters Dora the Explorer and SpongeBob Square Pants on the cover, and are made with all-natural, hypoallergenic, paba free ingredients that offer SPF 30 or higher sun prote...