However you may have also seen that my face does NOT go in the sun. I wear hats, and most recently my Tres Jolie Hat by Dorfman Pacific that has UPF 50!
Despite spending many summers not wearing a swimsuit due to insecurities with my body, I would go still be out in the sun and rarely did I wear sun block. In fact, my mother always encouraged me to put my face in the sun to get some color and I would lather on coconut tanning oil for the best results.
Left: Fedora and Sunnies from Target
Right: Fushia Tres Jolie Hat by Dorfman Pacific
And I don't know if you aware of this, but basically the ozone is non-existent in the southern hemisphere and one summer in Chile I sunburned so bad that my stomach turned a yellowish color, peeled and had greenish puss. I cannot believe I even allowed that to happen.
Fast forward a few years, a baby later and my face isn't what it used to be. The "mask of pregnancy" got me good and I had raccoon eyes and extremely dark pigmentation on my upper lip. Talk about a total freak show.
Of course it gets worse in the sun and for a few years now I have worn moisturizer with at least SPF 30. Needless to say I apply generously over my upper lip!
Despite protecting my face to avoid the darker shades, I also protect the rest of my body and make sure my husband and son wear SPF to avoid any long term sun damage. And even though I have fair skin, a lot of my Hispanic friends are under the impression that darker skin is not at risk for melanoma...WRONG!
So in collaboration with Neutrogrena's Choose Skin Health Campaign, I have put together a few fun summer tips for healthy sun behavior.
Remember, make small changes that can make a big difference for a healthier lifestyle. No point in being stylish and on trend if you are not taking care of yourself first!
I will be out of the summer sun for six weeks while I am in Chile, but I'm most certainly packing my facial SPF 30!
And please, by all means check out Neutrogena's Facebook page for more information and tips on how to protect yourself from sun damage and melanoma or go to a sun screening location near you.
Are you being sun safe this summer? You'd better!
*This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Neutrogena and Latina Bloggers Connect. Tips, stories and my obsession with SPF are all my own. Tres Jolie Hat provided for review by Dorfman Pacific. Hope you like them and learn something new!*
