Melanoma Awareness

May is Melanoma Awareness Month.  Since many of my readers are new I’d like to take a minute to explain my advocacy for this cause.  My mother passed away in November 2012 from melanoma.  You can read the story HERE.  My daughter, my brother and I will be heading out to two different melanoma walks during the month to raise awareness and funds to find a cure.  If you have any desire to donate to the AIM at Melanoma walk you can do so by clicking my fundraising page HERE.  We must find a cure for this awful cancer.

Melanoma is so much more serious than people realize.  It can spread to every single organ in the body.  The best thing we can do for ourselves is to prevent it in the first place.  That’s where sunscreen comes in and why I’m always talking about it.  Please use sunscreen every single day, rain or shine.  My favorite sunscreens are listed below.  If you ever see anything different or suspicious about a mole on your body I beg you to go to the doctor as soon as you see it.  Early detection saves lives.  It’s always better to be safe and have things looked at by a professional rather than being afraid and avoiding it.

Pur Minerals CC Cream – This isn’t just a spf 40, it also works great as a thicker tinted moisturizer or foundation.  I love this stuff!  I’m on my 4th one.  It’s perfect for wearing with a full face of makeup or for putting on and running out the door.

Tarteguard 30 – This is the newest sunscreen to be added to my collection of favorites.  I love it under my makeup.  It’s also great to mix with foundation that may not already have any spf at all or one that doesn’t have enough spf in it.

Colorescience – This is a unique sunscreen because it’s in a powder form with a built-in brush.  You apply it on a naked face and go or you can apply over your makeup throughout the day.  It’s great for touch ups on the go.  It comes in a variety of shades and is available in spf 30 and spf 50.

Image Skincare Prevention Plus – I recently received a ton of samples of this sunscreen at my med spa.  It’s one I had been researching and wanted to try.  It comes in spf 30 and spf 50 and in both a tinted formula and clear.  It works great under foundation.  I will definitely purchase this is in the full size.

Elta MD UV Shield – This company makes a lot of great sunscreens.  I always prefer the ones with a mineral ingredients, which are physical sunscreens.  You can search to see which one meets your needs, but this one is my favorite.  I use it on my face and my body.

No matter your choice of sunscreen, please wear it daily.  Make it a habit.  Teach your friends and family about the importance of it’s use too.