Coola: Sunscreen

The Bottom Line

If you've yet to hear of Coola, take note. This sun care company makes the most amazing sunscreens that not only protect your skin, but help protect the planet as well. Did I mention how fantastic they smell?

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Pros

• Best smelling sunscreen
• Organic Ingredients, Made in the USA
• No Animal Testing - Tested on Humans (Don't you love that?)
• Biodegradable Packaging; Earth Conscious Printing; Recycled Paper
• Donates a portion of the profits to skin cancer research

Cons

Description

• Earth conscience sun care company based in Los Angeles.
• Non-typical fragrances make their sunscreens stand out in a world of coconut-scented sunscreen.
• Endorsed by the American Lifeguard Association

Guide Review - Coola: Sunscreen

I'm excited to tell you about Coola, because it has become my current favorite sun care line. Before we talk about how fantastic this company is, I have to tell you just how fantastic their sunscreens smell. Coola has four fragrances for your body: Mango, Plumeria, Cucumber and Unscented, and two fragrances for your face: Cucumber and Unscented. I had a chance to try out each scent, and fell in love with them all. My favorite would probably be Plumeria, with Cucumber close behind. If you have always wished for a body moisturizer with SPF, that's basically what you're getting with Coola; fabulous smelling sunscreen that moisturizes as well as protects against the sun and aging with the inclusion of antioxidants.

Coola sunscreen ranges in protection from SPF 30 to SPF 45, and have been endorsed by the American Lifeguard Association. Their approach to business is one that should be emulated by other companies. They use bio-degradable packaging with earth-friendly inks and recycled papers. They do not test on animals, but instead tests solely on humans. Their products are made in the United States, and Coola donates part of their profits to skin cancer research.

If you're looking for your face, Coola: Cucumber Face SPF 30 has a light lingering scent that you'll be happy to apply on a regular basis. It is a thick cream that soaks in quickly leaving your skin matte. It is water and sweat resistant, and uses ingredients known for being gentle and non-irritating.

I really am in love with the Coola line, and would recommend their sunscreens to anyone who is looking for an earth friendly option in sun care. Especially for those who are hesitant to use sunscreens with a strong tropical scent.

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Can I Get a Tan With Sunscreen

I really want to wear sunscreen to protect my skin, but summer is my favorite season, and I love how I look when I have a tan. The fake tans never look the same to me.

Good question! You'll be happy to know that your skin can and will get a tan, even when using sunscreen. You just need to find an SPF level that works for your skin.

If you don't burn easily, you can feel free to use a lower SPF level, but no lower than 20. And reapply every 2 hours, no matter what. (Earlier if you're swimming or sweating.) And definitely look for the words, "Broad Band" or UVA/UVB protection, which not only blocks the rays that burn, they'll block the rays that cause cancer and aging signs.

Using sunscreen won't leave your skin ghost-white, it will simply protect it and block the rays that are harmful to your skin.

Everyone enjoys the fact that summer gives your skin healthy glow, and it does look nice, but who wants sunburn, skin cancer, sun spots or wrinkles?

Wear sunscreen!

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New Sunscreen Labels 2012

Are you confused when you look at the bottle after bottle of sunscreen wondering which one is best? How high should your SPF level be? Is it really waterproof? How long will it protect my skin? Will it protect against skin cancer? You're not alone and the FDA is making it easier for you to shop for the best sunscreen.

Starting in 2012, look for new labels on your sunscreen bottles that will ease the confusion and make it easier to be an informed shopper. Here is what you can look forward to.

1. Broad Spectrum will Actually Mean Something

Right now, a sunscreen can say "Broad Spectrum" but there is no real way to know if it's blocking a good amount of UVA rays. But after the label change, if a sunscreen label says "Broad Spectrum", it really will have to have efficient coverage of both UVA and UVB rays.

The FDA is going to make sunscreens pass a broad spectrum test. Only those that efficiently block both UVA and UVB rays will have the label say "Broad Spectrum". We recommend you only buy the brands that DO have the broad spectrum label.

2. Reduces Cancer Risk? Reduces Early Aging Signs?

Right now any sunscreen can say it reduces skin cancer and early aging of your skin, but starting 2012, only sunscreens with SPF 15 or higher and broad spectrum coverage will be allowed to make such a claim. Those without broad spectrum and an SPF under 15 will only be allowed to say it prevents sunburn and hasn't been proven effective against skin cancer.

3. Sweatproof? Waterproof? I Don't Think So.

You'll see no more of these claims because most sunscreens aren't sweatproof or waterproof, period. But, if a brand thinks they have a sunscreen that is, they'll be able to submit their claims to the FDA who will preform tests and either approve or deny their claim.

4. What About Water Resistant?

Check the label on your sunscreen bottle and chances are good that it says it provides effective coverage for up to 80 minutes while sweating or in the water. Some sunscreens definitely are water resistant, but now sunscreen manufacturers will need to have testing done to prove whether the sunscreen stays resistant for 40 or 80 minutes and it will be on the label.

If the sunscreen is not found to be water resistant, it must have a recommendation for consumers to use a sunscreen that is water resistant while sweating or swimming.

5. Claims of All Day Protection? Nope!

Sunscreen labels will not be able to say they provide anything longer than 2 hours of protection unless they again submit it to the FDA for approval.

6. Can Sunscreen Provide Instant protection?

If you don't already know, it takes sunscreen a good 15 to 30 minutes to start working effectively. No sunscreen will be able to state otherwise unless again, they submit their claims to the FDA for approval.

7. How High Should the SPF Level Be?

Confused on whether you should use the SPF 30 when you see SPF 75 or SPF 100 on the shelf next to it? Maybe you're one of those people who grab the highest level just to be safe? The FDA has a separate proposal that would stop companies from playing the SPF level game. If passed, sunscreens companies could only go as high as claiming SPF 50+ because once it gets that high, there isn't any proven data that shows going any higher offers any benefit.

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Possible Breakthrough in Sun Protection - Sunscreen in a Pill

Hate slathering, spraying or foaming on sunscreen? Most of us do! We preach it all the time here, but we'll also be honest and say, sunscreen is a drag.? Sure, it's getting easier and easier to stay on top of it with new formulas, such as the newest wet-skin sprays, but who wants to drag the kids out of the pool every 1 1/2 hours?

In 5 years, there might be an easier way to protect your skin against the sun's rays and it might be as easy as swallowing a "sunscreen pill".? The answer lies in the ocean. Researchers in London have narrowed down on the specifics of how algae, which lives in coral, creates a sunscreen-like compound that protects both the algae and the coral, as well as the fish who later feeds on the algae.? Fascinating!

They might start testing the pill in as little as 2 years.? Read more about the sunscreen pill and watch a 3 minute video that explains it in more detail.

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