Monday Musings: Over Thinking Sunscreen and Not Apologizing For It

Some of you don’t like to read the blog over the weekend, so I wanted to let you know that the biopsy at the end of my nose came back negative, and I’m over the moon about it. The area she shaved off isn’t fully healed yet, but when it is, I intend to have my dermatologist either zap the redness with a laser or do a few photofacials.

Last summer, I had photodynamic therapy, which brought up quite a few actinic keratoses in my eyebrow hairs…the few I have left 😉. That made me realize the physical zinc sunscreens I’d been using weren’t being applied there thoroughly enough to do the job. They get sticky and gooey in the hair, so I was probably avoiding that area more than I realized.

That’s when I went back to using chemical sunscreen as my first layer, letting it dry, then topping it with a physical, zinc-based sunscreen. I often finish with an SPF powder, too. Overkill? Perhaps, but here we are.

On Saturday, I came across a little shop in Vancouver that imports Korean sunscreen with some of the newest filters, so I bought a few. Do I prefer the idea of a physical block? Yes. But I’ve also decided that, at almost 70, the chemicals in these sunscreens are unlikely to be what gets me in the end. Skin cancer, however, is a real risk.

I’ve shared many of my favorite mineral sunscreens here, and I still use them. But since the U.S. FDA moves at the speed of a dial-up internet connection, many of the best sunscreen filters haven’t been available in the U.S.

YesStyle carries quite a few of them, so I ordered this Haru Haru sunscreen, my favorite, and which I just ran out of, along with this Beauty of Joseon sunscreen. I used to be able to buy Beauty of Joseon in the U.S. until it was no longer allowed to be imported here. **These sunscreens are not water-resistant, so they need to be reapplied more often.

BTW, when U.S. regulations tightened, many Korean and European brands reformulated their products specifically for the U.S. market, using our older sun filters, then put them in nearly identical packaging so consumers couldn’t easily tell the difference.

Okay, I’ll get off my sunscreen soapbox now, but I still think that was pretty shady.

The FDA has finally approved bemotrizinol, also known as BEMT or PARSOL Shield, which is the first new active sunscreen ingredient cleared for U.S. over-the-counter use in more than two decades. It’s set to be released on August 9.

We also went into the forest for a long walk, and it was glorious. There’s something about the scent of the forest that calms me like nothing else on earth. I wish you could bottle it, although I’m sure someone has tried and charged $48 for it.

The real thing is better. Damp earth, cedar, pine needles, and that cool green smell that seems to settle your whole system down. I always come out of the forest feeling like my shoulders have dropped and my brain has finally stopped buzzing.

On Sunday, I watched Canada win their FIFA match against South Africa in a small auditorium here, and the local fans went wild. Almost everyone was wearing red, and I suddenly felt as if I had missed the memo.

I’m not much of a sports follower, but it’s funny how quickly you can get swept up when everyone around you is cheering. I clapped and cheered all along, and by the end, I was wondering if I needed something red in my closet after all. My daughter insists we all do!

Apparently, team spirit is contagious.

Now let’s answer a few reader questions, because you always ask the good ones.

Q – I’m 5’2″ and can’t figure out whether midi dresses or skirts work on me. I avoid long dresses unless I’m going to something formal because they remind me too much of the “granny dresses” from when I was in high school. I’d like to try them for work and casual outfits, but I don’t know how to make them look right.

A – Petite women can certainly wear midi skirts and dresses. What matters is the proportion. At 5’2”, I’d avoid a hem that stops at the widest part of the calf because it can make the leg look shorter. Look for something just below the knee, at the narrowest part of the calf, or a few inches above the ankle.

A defined waist or gentle A-line helps keep the look from feeling covered up or overwhelming. For work, try a midi skirt with a tucked top and a shoe that keeps the leg line clean. For casual wear, a simple knit midi or shirt dress can work with sandals, sneakers, or a denim jacket.

Q – Can you recommend an easy-to-use steamer?

A – I used to have one of these giant ones on wheels, but frankly, it was a pain (literally) to use and hard to store, so I bought this one and have been thrilled with it. This mini travel steamer has great reviews if you want a smaller one.

Q – I have a great collection of totes and leather handbags, but my autoimmune arthritis is making them harder to carry. Do you know of any elegant, lightweight crossbody bags that hold the essentials without feeling like a heavy purse on a long strap?

A – You’re certainly not alone, and that may be why MZ Wallace bags have become so popular. They’re made from quilted nylon and are extremely lightweight. This crossbody would hold quite a bit, without becoming heavy. This little sling bag is even smaller and comes in several colors. If those are out of your budget, this nylon crossbody comes in 5 colors and is under $26. This Bagsmart Crossbody is very popular and comes in tons of colors.

Frank & Eileen Sale

Before I go, you may not want to miss the Frank & Eileen Summer Warehouse Sale, with discounts up to 70% off. I know many of you love the styles, but not the prices, so here you go! This cotton sweater is one of my favorites in the summer. I’ve always wanted one of these thinner cotton sweaters so I just ordered the white. I also bought this cozy dress for the fall because I consider their Triple Fleece fabric to be the very best!

Where do you stand on sunscreen? I admit I’m slightly neurotic about it, but I’m fine with that. There are worse things to be neurotic about, and my dermatologist would probably agree.