pop on over to howdoesshe for more of their awesome gardening posts!
Ladies, first, let's be safe and chat about what and how we can protect our skin while still staying cooled off and looking cute. Gardeners are out in the sun a lot and frankly, so are most people during the summer months. Gardeners try to cover up as much as possible without overheating and here are some techniques they use, and we can too!
1. Sheer clothing
2. White clothing
3. Sun hats
5. Bandanas
6. Sunglasses
7. Long maxi skirts/dresses
8. Scarfs (wear around your shoulders while in the sun)
9. Umbrellas
10. Tights
(I threw 8,9, and 10 in for our good measure of protecting our skin while still looking like a fashionista)
Fashion can be inspired by a lot of things. I LOVE summer fashion and the beauty that inspires it! Here are a few looks I "modified" from what a gardener would wear into everyday wear! These outfits were greatly inspired by flowers and bold vegetable colors that you get from the garden.
Sheer light clothing still lets a breeze in!
Long maxi skirts protect our legs from the sun without having sweaty jeans cling to our legs.
White and light colored shirts don't absorb the heat from the sun as much as dark colored shirts.
Sun hats keep the sun out of our face and protect our scalp.
Again, sun hats, white/light colors and sheer tops are great ways to keep protected without over heating.
Flower inspired head wear.
Flower inspired jewelry.
Many summer outfits don't require much covering up so obviously sunscreen is a must! You should even wear sunscreen when you are covered up for extra protection. After some research, these 5 sunscreens have been rated the top sunscreens for 2012.
You can read the full review here.
1. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 30
Perks: protects against short and long wave UVA rays and stays on great!
2. No-Ad Sunblock Lotion SPF 45
Perks: Gives more sunscreen for the money, has aloe, and is very water resistant.
3. Blue Lizard Suncreen Sensitive SPF 30+
Perks: No fragrance and is great for sensitive skin.
4. Banana Boat Sport Performance Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 100
Perks: Great for active people and doesn't run into eyes.
5. Badger SPF 30 For Face and Body
Perks: Uses organic ingredients and is great for all skin types.
***Don't forget to put sunscreen on your scalp, ears, nose, and tops of feet!***
My dad sent me this article not too long ago. Some studies have shown that sunblocks aren't good for your skin and could even be toxic. This article gives great advice about natural ways to protect your skin by taking oral antioxidants.
You can read the full review here.
1. Green Tea
Perks: Significantly protects against UVA and UVB damage and also neutralizes major free radicals in the skin.
2. Silymarin (component of milk thistle)
Perks: Provides the skin with major protection against sun damage and skin cancer.
3. Proanthocyanidins (grape seed extract and pycnogenol)
Perks: Not only prevents UV damage but also protects skins collagen and elastin, both of which retard skin aging.
4. Curcumin
Perks: Has been shown to powerfully inhibit skin cancer and lightens skin spots.
5. Rosemary
Perks: Has been proven to powerfully prevent skin cancers induced by a number of agents, including UV radiation.
6. Resveratrol (found is grape seeds)
Perks: There is evidence that it is what protects grapes from the suns harsh rays. Studies indicate that it can do the same for people when given either orally or applied topically.
7. Vitamins C, D, E
Perks: Vitamins C, E, and D have all shown protective effects. Vitamin E is one of the skins most abundant skin antioxidants.
Whew, the reason I stress the "sunscreens" is because I'm only 23 and I have already have had Melanoma removed from my leg. It's not a pleasant experience and it's so easy to prevent. You can read about my experience here. Please, be careful! If you put sunscreen on and take these things orally, then you are giving yourself some GREAT protection from the sun!
I'd love to hear of some creative ways that you protect your skin during the summer!
