Why You Should Wear Sunscreen In Winter?

--by Kylie Tang--

In winter, the sunlight is so mild and comforting, and you’ve stored your sunscreen in the farthest corner of your makeup drawer. If this sounds all too similar, you’d better get rid of this practice.

There’s something that exists in our environment every second and in each season – whether it be summer or winter. And that’s ultraviolet rays (UV) - our all-time enemies. You may have seen this photo before: a 66-year old truck driver spent his days delivering goods and his left face looked old and wrinkled because of the ultraviolet rays transmitted through the window glass, but his face still looked young and fine…

In winter, the ozone layer is at its thinnest, and UV rays penetrate it easily. At the same time, because of the cold weather, our skin metabolism slows down, and our skin becomes more difficult to repair itself after exposure to the sun. So, always wear sunscreen in winter! How much do you know about sunscreen? Read about the tips for choosing sunscreen below and pick a sun protection product that is suitable for you.

How To Distinguish UVA And UVB?

It’s not that hard actually. Ultraviolet rays consist of UVA, UVB and UVC. UVC are completely absorbed by the ozone layer. UVA can lead to aging problems and pigmentation on your skin. UVB thickens keratin, resulting in red, painful and dry skin. You will be smart enough to purchase a sunscreen that protects skin against UVA and UVB.

What Is SPF?

SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is the measuring unit of a sunscreen’s ability to prevent UVB.

SPF15 filters out 93.3% UVB, prevents reddening 15 time longer

SPF30 filters out 96.6% UVB, prevents reddening 30 time longer

SPF50 filters out 98% UVB, prevents reddening 50 time longer

See! Although SPF30 is double of SPF15, they only differ by 3.3% in terms of UVB blocking result. Therefore, you do not necessarily have to use sunscreens with a higher SPF. 

UVB can cause sunburn.

And How About “PA+”?

“PA” is also easy to understand. The PA 4-levelled Protection system is introduced by the Japan Cosmetic Industry Association to measure UVA protection. All ladies dislike color spots. It’s better to have a sunscreen with more “+” signs for higher protection, ideally one with SPF50 / PA++++ for outdoor activities.

For more information, please see here: https://www.badgerbalm.com/s-31-broad-spectrum-uva-sunscreen-protection.aspx 

UVA leads to what we hate – stains and spots!

Look For “Broad Spectrum” Sunscreen

Inspired by the US, Broad Spectrum sun blocks filter UVA rays that age us and other actinic damages.

So now you are clearer with these labels. You need higher protection for outdoor activities, and SPF15 to SPF30 is good enough for your indoor work (protects against lighting and sunlight transmitted through window glass.) Look for your ideal sun block:

Low SPF But Highly Protective Sunscreen

SK-II Cellumination Essence Day Surge UV SPF 30 PA+++

If you have tried SK-II products before, you must have known about their Cellumination Essence Day Surge UV SPF30 / PA+++. It’s good enough to tackle your daily UVA and UVB enemies. “Aura Bright Cocktail D” complex helps restrain melanin and repair skin after sun exposure. It’s perfect for your whitening need.

SkinCeuticals Brighening UV Defense SPF 30 High Protection

SkinCeuticals deserves to be the leading medical brand with its outstanding sunscreen products. SkinCeuticals Brightening UV Defense SPF 30 High Protection offers high broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays of various wavelengths. HyperBright Complex helps correct skin conditions and pigmentation. Use every day and during winter!

Mineral Sunscreen Is My Favourite

Have you ever heard of mineral sunscreens? Most of the sun blocks are formulated with chemical UV absorbers yet mineral sunscreens add a layer of UV-filtering powder on face with Titanium dioxide and Zinc oxide. The higher the content they are in the cream, the higher protection you enjoy. Mineral sunscreens are offered by many skincare brands recommended by dermatologists. One of my favourites is:

Lavera Sun Cream SPF 30

Don’t look down on the inexpensive Lavera. It is an organic brand and this 100% minieral-based sun protection works on skin affected by rashes, eczema, inflammations and acne. Free of perfume, dyes and synthetic preservatives, and it offers UVA protection. It’s even safe for kids’ skin!

How To Defend Sunlight While Wearing Makeup?

Many products have combined the functions of makeup and UV protection. 

Bobbi Brown BB Cream SPF35 / PA+++

Bobbi Brown BB Cream SPF35 / PA+++ has excellent UV defense function. I am sure you want a beautiful and UV-protected foundation finish.

Guerlain Blanc De Perle White P.E.A.R.L. UV Base Lightening UV Base SPF 30 / PA+++

Guerlain Blanc De Perle White P.E.A.R.L. UV Base Lightening UV Base has good sun block property (SPF 30 / PA+++). This elegant base cream helps create a fresh and radiant complexion with simple application before foundation, and demonstrates high-level UV protection and 8-hour rosy effect.  

Well...did you just take out your sunscreens and study how do they work? I recommend all ladies here to be cautious to sunlight in winter and apply protection measures according to your skin type and needs. Don’t forget to remove it before sleep: you need makeup removers for high SPF sunscreens, cleansers for light sunscreens and water for some of the mineral sunscreens!

Best Buy Black Friday & Cyber Monday Deals

By Brenda Chan
 

It’s that time of the year again! Black Friday and Cyber Monday! The time when you can go on a shopping spree in department stores and on the Internet where products are reduced to absolutely low prices, and everyone is grabbing as soon as they can before stock runs out. This year, COSME-DE.COM has prepared great discounts on a wide range of beauty products plus free gifts for you! Are you ready for some crazy shopping spree? Let’s get started!

Spend On Your Favorite Products and Get Free Gifts

So, here is how it goes. When you spend a minimum amount on your favorite cosmetics and skincare products at amazing discounted prices on our website, you get a free gift as well. There are 4 tiers of minimum spending and you’ll get a different free gift from each of them. To give you a hint, if you reach the highest tier of spending, you get a full-sized perfume! Really! Isn’t that amazing?

Enjoy Discounted Price on Signature Items

For this Black Friday & Cyber Monday, we offer great discounts on many signature products that you love or have always wanted to try. Here’re just a few of the discounted items.

First, we have the holy grail of moisturizers – La Mer The Moisturizing Cream (Creme de la Mer)! This is the moisturizer many people love or would like to get their hands on. Containing nutrient-rich, highly potent Miracle Broth™, skin becomes softer, firmer, looks virtually creaseless in a short time. Aging lines and pores become noticeably less visible. Now is the perfect chance to get this amazing cream with a 26% discount!

La Mer The Moisturizing Cream (Creme de la Mer)

Next, Japanese skincare products are renowned for their anti-aging effect. SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion is infused with Pitera™ and AHA to gently exfoliate dead skin cells and impurities, revealing a clarified, glowy skin that is ready for your skincare regimen. 

SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion 

Eyes and lips tell about your age so it’s important to take good care of them. Sisley Sisleÿa Eye & Lip Contour Cream is an age-defense formula with active ingredients such as Matricaria, Licorice, Wheat proteins and vitamins E, B5 and F, which help counter the formation of visible lines and wrinkles, minimizes under-eye puffiness, dark circles and signs of fatigue. 

Sisley Sisleÿa Eye & Lip Contour Cream

To have radiant, firmer and younger skin, try SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF. This highly potent essence protects skin cells by shielding their DNA from environmental attack in the deeper layers of the epidermis. It also boosts the skin’s collagen and elastin levels, making it firmer, more radiant, and younger-looking. 

SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF

4 Tiers Of Minimum Spending And Get A Free Gift

If you spend of a minimum of USD 150/ AUD 150/ HKD 800 or above, simply enter the code “BLACKFRIFREE” at check out and you will get a FREE Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh Eau de Toilette (0.04oz, 1.2ml). 

For a minimum spend of USD 250/ AUD 250/ HKD 1800 or above, simply enter the code “CYBERMONFREE” at check out and you will get a FREE Estée Lauder Stress Relief Eye Mask (1 sheet). 

If you spend of a minimum of USD 350/ AUD 350/ HKD 2800 or above, simply enter the code “THANKSGIVING” at check out and you will get a FREE Guerlain Super Aqua Lotion (1.3oz, 40ml). 

For the highest and most attractive tier, if you spend of a minimum of USD 450/ AUD 450/ HKD 3800 or above, simply enter the code “FREESCENTS16” at check out and you will get a FREE full-sized perfume at random selection! Think DKNY MYNY Eau de Parfum. This eclectic and passionate fragrance reflects the scent of New York city that we love – urban, carefree, spirited!

Ready, set, go! The Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales start from 25 Nov – 30 Nov, get ready to get your beloved products at attractive prices! 

Secret Garden Week 2: The Tulip – Symbol of “Perfect Love”

So last week we let you in on Week 1 of our magical Secret Garden promotion for August, a chance for you to add the enchantment of a perfect flower garden into your life. If you missed it, don’t worry, we are all set and ready to delight your senses a little more for Week 2! Every week in August we will be hiding secret codes on the COSME-DE.COM website, for you to search for, find and unlock cash value discounts and gifts!

Because we know how much you love beautiful products at beautiful prices, we have hidden secret codes on various COSME-DE.COM web pages, for you to hunt in the garden of amazing products to find! Once you have spotted these hidden gems, all you need to do is enter the code in the search box, which is easy to spot! And then, as if by magic, you will be the recipient of a cash discount or a free gift on your purchases! So hunt away secret gardeners, and make sure you get your share of the treasure!

Tulips in the garden

So, last week we concentrated on the magnificent rose, and this week we present to you her equally exquisite sister bloom, the tulip! Yes, the divine cup-shaped blossom, that blasts your beauty receptors with its rainbow of deep, true colours. The tulip is the symbol of “perfect love”, and that is what we want for you, to have a life filled with perfect love! The tulip also symbolizes “most admired and beloved”, so let’s bring it on week 2 of the Secret Garden promotion!

Your most youthful bloom

So, let’s get a little loving on ourselves, and start by loving our skin with Christian Dior Capture Totale Dream Skin Global Age-Defying Skincare Perfect Skin Creator. How does a soft-focus veil that instantly, visibly transforms the texture of your skin sound? How does tightened pores, spots, redness and wrinkle reduction, increased firmness and a glowy radiance sound? Grab yourself this luxurious treat from the Dior garden to find out!

Christian Dior Capture Totale Dream Skin Global Age-Defying Skincare Perfect Skin Creator

And speaking of youthful radiance, around the eyes is where we often get the first signs of aging. However, you can protect yourself from this by enjoying La Prairie Essence of Skin Caviar Eye Complex. Only the best for our beloved tulips! One drop of this essence is like a mini facelift that firms, nourishes and re-energizes the eye zone, fading lines and wrinkles away to give your skin its perfect bloom! If you have been working a little too hard recently, give your precious skin a boost and melt those under-eye signs of stress and fatigue far, far away.

La Prairie Essence of Skin Caviar Eye Complex

The sought-after blush of youthful skin is due to the fact that youthful skin retains moisture and always looks perfectly hydrated. You can help to put back what the sun, pollution and stress take out. Try SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel to replenish nutrients. Vitamin B5 helps with tissue repair, giving skin exactly what it needs to feel smoother and appear younger. The gel contains hyaluronic acid, the body’s efficient natural hydrator. You need a few drops on face, neck and chest. This pre-treatment will also help increase the benefits of your daily moisturiser.

SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel

And, last, but by no means least, let’s moisturize that body to perfection and improve appearance of any scars, uneven skin tone or stretch marks with the award-winning specialist skin care product – Bio-Oil. No smooth, peachy-skinned gal should be without it! Improve elasticity, pigmentation marks, scars, aging skin and dryness with just a few drops every day over the body or in the bath. It can even be used on the face.

Bio-Oil Nature Skincare Oil

So, the ultimate recipe for skin that glows and shines with youthful bloom! Happy hunting, and happy gardening this week!