For the past two months, all we could ever complain about is the intense heat this summer. And while there’s very little we can do to relieve ourselves from it (short of taking a shower every hour), we certainly hope you’re going to great lengths to protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun.

Before going on our planning cum summer beach trip, the entire ShopCrazy team went shopping together for our beach essentials, including sun protection products. After going through different stores, we decided to head for The Body Shop when it was time to buy moisturizers with SPF that we can layer over or under our facial sunscreen with a higher level of SPF.

One of the ways to ensure good sun protection is by layering different products with SPF. Since products with higher SPF tend to be very sticky and won’t give us the other benefits we get from our moisturizers, we need to layer it with products that have lower SPF yet address our specific skin needs and enhance our beauty. Since each of us have very different skin types, we needed to visit a store that offers a wide range of skin care products to choose from.

Do you also have combination/oily, dull, or dry skin? Or do you want to whiten your face as you protect it? If any of these skin conditions hold true for you, find out what The Body Shop products with SPF the ShopCrazy team took with them to the beach this summer.

For stronger sun protection plus a brighter complexion
If you’re very particular about sun protection (which you should be), you know that it’s not enough to just get a product with SPF, which only protects against UVB rays. You also need to get something that has PA+++ which protects against UVA rays, too. Shar, the most particular about sun protection among the team, chose The Body Shop Moisture White UV Protection Cream SPF25/PA+++ (P1,195).

Shar’s verdict: “I’m not really keen on whitening this season, but if I were, I’d consider using Moisture White UV Protection. This oil-free cream-based sunscreen leaves a matte finish, making it a good makeup base. I layer it over my sunscreen with SPF 50, which I find too runny. I love that Moisture White spared me from typical sunscreen shine. Since I have a darker skin tone, though, I had to be sure to use just the right amount so I won’t look paler than usual. Be sure to spread it evenly.”

To make oily skin look shine-free and fresh-looking
If you have oily skin, you are probably irked by facial sunscreens with higher SPF that make your face look extra oily and sticky. This is something you definitely wouldn’t want for your beach photos. That is why Happy, who has combination/oily skin, opted for The Body Shop Seaweed Mattifying Moisture Lotion SPF 15 (P795), which is meant for her skin type.

Happy’s verdict: “I would definitely recommend Seaweed Mattifying Moisture Lotion with SPF 15 to anyone who wants a moisturizer and sunscreen in one. I really love how it keeps my skin hydrated and protected from harmful UV rays without the shine and sticky feeling given its oil-free formulation. And with its special seaweed ingredient, my skin became less oily and shiny and has a smooth, matte feel throughout the day. This product is the perfect base for when you’re about to apply your makeup. It’s the ideal moisturizer and sun protection lotion for everyday city use.”

Do you want glowing, healthy-looking skin to go with your tan? Or is your skin prone to dryness? Check out our product picks on the next page.

continued next page »

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 21st, 2009 at 9:00 am and is filed under Beauty and Personal Care. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.