Top of My List...

At home in the desert this week-- sorry for the lack of posts but I am having too much fun playing hooky from life to do anything productive. I did not pack a hat for my trip, so the 105 degrees of blazing sun have me pining for a fedora, panama or wide-brimmed topper. Any kind will do, but here are a few of my favorites from the web:

Another topic that seems to come up this time of year-- any new and amazing sunscreen finds? The Cetaphil SPF 50 facial sunscreen that I used last year did not cause any breakouts, but it did leave my face shinier than acceptable standards of dewiness allow... in my book anyway. Which is a crazy read-- but I digress. If you know of any sunscreens that leave a matte finish, especially in a humid climate, I am all ears! (And face)!

Sunny Disposition

It's summer here (so they tell me) and although the sun's rays are not as harsh here as in AZ, my 60 year-old future self wants me to use sunscreen. I always have a small amount of SPF in my moisturizer year round, but I kick it up a notch when the temperature rises. Every summer I start out strong, my good intentions to protect my skin beaming stronger than the roasting waves of the sun, but then my resolve wavers-- Can you blame me? The sliding make-up, clogged pores, and looking like a grease factory has exploded on my face become too much and I start cheating... I wear it just when I am going outside or just mix a little in with my moisturizer until --phew-- September arrives and I don't feel guilty for my lack of diligence anymore....

Since insanity is commonly defined as, "doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results," I think I need to change my approach. This summer will be the sunscreen hunt that (hopefully) yields a winning product I actually end up using consistently. Instead of buying first Neutrogena product I come across at CVS, I will investigate products more thoroughly. I think it would also be worthwhile to make a trip or two to Sephora or a department store to test some samples for a while before making the big commitment.

I better get a move on since it is already June, so here's my preliminary list of sunscreens that have caught my eye:

DERMAdoctor 'Ain't Misbehavin'™' Skin Clarifying & Mattifying Sunscreen SPF 30 PA +++. This one claims to prevent the aforementioned grease-explosion-effect and contains ingredients to soothe my finicky skin.... sounds promising.

3LAB 'Perfect' Sunscreen SPF 55 PA+++. No oil, PABA, or fragrance and SPF 55-- the reviewer loves it and is in my age bracket, which also makes it interesting. (You know, cuz 65 yr olds typically have different skin needs than spring chickens).

Peter Thomas Roth 'Uber-Dry™' Sunscreen SPF 30. This one also claims to absorb quickly and without greasy after-effects. The reviewer from hot, humid Florida likes it and I am interested in the vague promises of anti-oxidant properties as well.

LANCER™ Skincare Vitamin C Antioxidant Sunscreen SPF 30. I am a fan of everything Vitamin C does to my face and I like that is one contains both physical and chemical blockers, but the reviews are not winning me over...

Am I the only one militant about wearing sunscreen these days? Sometimes I feel like I am the pale nerd sitting in doors while the cool kids bake themselves ;) Any sunscreens you love or that might be worth a try?