We thought you might find the woman’s letter and our response interesting.

Dear Paula,

I went to a cosmetic laser clinic and the therapist recommended Actinica Liposomal Sunscreen SPF 30.  She said that regular sunscreens become ineffective after a couple of hours, and you need to re-apply them during the day for all day protection.  Actinica’s sunscreen is based on a new technology which allows it to stay effective all day until you wash it off.  Medical studies seem to have been done that show this sunscreen prevents some forms of skin cancer much better than regular sunscreens. Is this the elite sunscreen that it is being marketed as?

This was our reply:

Before we discuss the formula, we need to address the claim that regular sunscreens become ineffective after 2 hours. Although it’s true that reapplication of sunscreen is necessary to maintain protection, it is not true that sunscreens just stop working after two hours no matter what. How soon any sunscreen becomes ineffective depends on the following:

• The sunscreen formula
• How much sunscreen is applied (liberal application is key)
• Geographic location (someone in Australia is getting much stronger sun exposure than someone in Minnesota)
• Altitude (someone skiing in the mountains is getting more intense sun exposure than someone at sea level)
• Time spent outdoors versus inside
• How much outdoor time is spent in the shade versus getting direct sun
• Swimming or sweating requires reapplication after 2 hours no matter what sunscreen you are using.

Here’s a practical example:
If you apply a sunscreen rated SPF 15 in the morning and then drive to your office where you spend the better part of your day indoors, there’s no reason to reapply your sunscreen. Why? Because sunscreen actives require sun exposure in order to break down. That is simply how they work, and it’s why reapplication during long days outdoors is a must for everyone, especially after perspiring or swimming and/or toweling off.

The Actinica SPF 30 product is expensive ($59 for 80 grams/2.8 ounces) which will ABSOLUTELY discourage liberal application. Oddly enough, it seems Actinica doesn’t agree with the marketing claims they make because the product says it is only water- and sweat-resistant for 2 hours. So much for all-day protection!

In terms of the active ingredients, Actinica contains avobenzone and two forms of Tinsorb for UVA protection, which is great, but hardly unique to this product. It is a typical combination for sunscreens sold in Australia and throughout Europe. This sunscreen’s claim of once-daily application is dangerous for those whose skin is exposed to sunlight in the outdoor situations mentioned above.

There seems to be two studies Actinica refers to for this product. Not only wasn’t the study your clinic mentioned done double-blind, but the participants who weren’t using the Actinica sunscreen were allowed to use any sunscreen they wanted. Who knows if the other sunscreens being used were only an SPF 8 or didn’t contain active ingredients that protected from UVA damage (many sunscreens don’t)! That alone would account for the results the “study” generated, but we don’t know the details because that study wasn’t peer-reviewed or published.

The second study concerning Actinica was published but wasn’t independent. Moreover, this study was only done in a lab dish, not on people. It concluded that the photostability of Actinica in comparison with two other sunscreens “[were] poor under our experimental conditions.”  Given that there are hundreds of brilliant sunscreens on the market, choosing just two has no meaning, not to mention the study protocol was unrelated to how people use sunscreens.

Interestingly, the study mentioned Actinica’s sunscreen is a class 1 medical device—something you don’t see for the majority of sunscreens sold today. But guess what? A class 1 medical device isn’t as prestigious or superior as it seems! In fact, a Band-Aid® has the same classification.

Bottom line: Actinica SPF 30 will provide reliable broad-spectrum protection but there are many other sunscreens that offer this benefit and cost a lot less money, so you’ll be more inclined to apply liberally and reapply when necessary and that is truly the way to get superior sun care.

Although light-emitting diodes (LED) with either red or blue bulbs show promise, those with acne need to know that they are absolutely not the first or even the best option. Light-emitting treatments for acne should be considered a second line of defense and as with any treatment for skin, there are pros and cons. 

The research shows that LED (from either blue or red lights) is best utilized as part of a comprehensive system with other proven anti-acne products. By “proven,” we mean products that include benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, the cornerstones of Paula’s Choice CLEAR 3-Step System and other anti-acne products we recommend on Beautypedia. Those two gold standard anti-acne ingredients work for a large percentage of people fighting mild to moderate acne, either as teens or adults. 

If you want to consider LED treatments, here’s what the article in Cosmetic Dermatology summarized for the two most popular types of light therapy for acne-prone skin:

Blue Light Therapy

How it Works: Specific wavelengths of blue light target the strain of bacteria that play a pivotal role in causing acne. The light causes the development of oxygen radicals that kill P. acnes bacteria without damaging healthy skin.

Pros: Proven to kill acne-causing bacteria; best for mild to moderate inflammatory acne; reduced potential for side effects (such as dryness or peeling) that can occur with benzoyl peroxide products; a worthwhile option for those whose skin cannot tolerate topical disinfectants; pain-free, no downtime.

Cons: Requires multiple treatments, as many as 4 per week; expensive (averaging $40 per treatment), with results comparable to what you can achieve at home using a product medicated with 5% benzoyl peroxide (such as Paula’s Choice CLEAR Extra Strength Acne Fighting Treatment); LED treatments are not effective for cystic acne, blackheads, or whiteheads (milia); long-term results are unknown.

Device Names: ClearLight Acne Photoclearing System; Blu-U; Omnilux Blue (available outside the United States).

Red Light Therapy

How it Works: Specific wavelengths of red light target the skin’s oil glands and reduce cytokines, a class of pro-inflammatory substances believed to play a role in chronic acne. May also help improve skin’s barrier function by improving its ability to retain key elements it needs to heal; is believed to stimulate healthy collagen production. 

Pros: Also helps reduce signs of aging (though the results are subtle), so can be a better choice for those struggling with acne and wrinkles; minimal risk of side effects, especially when used without light-activating chemicals; no downtime.

Cons: Requires multiple treatments; not as well researched as Blue Light Therapy; does not affect acne-causing bacteria; long-term results are unknown; costs can vary from $50–$200 or more per treatment, depending on the device and treatment protocol your dermatologist prefers.

Device Names: Acnelamp (emits red and blue light, a combination that may prove even more helpful for acne than either light used alone); Omnilux Revive.

What about at-home light-emitting devices for clearing acne? For the most part, due to concerns over lawsuits, manufacturers of these devices are forced to limit their intensity. You’ll see red and/or blue lights emitting from the device, but the intensity is much less than the machines your dermatologist uses. In a sense, that’s good news because it is possible to overdo these treatments and consumers could end up damaging their skin, which is never the goal. Moreover, both of these light-emitting devices require protective eyewear. The wavelengths they emit can damage unprotected eyes, and if you don’t remember to protect your eyes at home with the higher intensity output you would be risking your sight.

Bottom line: LED treatments are an option after other topical medications haven’t worked. Just keep in mind that benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and tretinoin (a prescription-only topical medication), along with other medical options are the first things you should consider. My strong personal feeling is that given the expense, and that most health insurance plans do not cover LED treatments for acne, they are last in line for dealing with acne.

Of course, it’s clear that Peggy has her finger on the pulse of the women’s movement to come, but that doesn’t mean that Freddy’s take on what motivates women to purchase beauty-related products is all that archaic, even by today’s standards. Believe me, I would know. As someone whose job description means being uniquely steeped in beauty product marketing with a critical eye, I can assure you that while the goal may not be to get married, it’s definitely still important to get noticed by men. Don’t believe me? How many beauty products—makeup, skin care, hair care, fragrance—are described as flirty? Sexy? Seductive? A lot. If sex sells anyplace, it’s with beauty products, which are almost exclusively marketed to . . . straight women.

This Pond’s debate on Mad Men got me thinking about what marketing angle sparks my own interest in a beauty product. With everything that Paula has taught me about the beauty industry and as a bona-fide member of The Cosmetics Cop Team, that’s not an easy question to answer. While I can’t say that I shop Dove exclusively, their Campaign for Real Beauty ads have definitely resonated with me. And Dove’s short films like this one that critiques the power that advertising has on women from an early age is compelling. I’m well aware that there’s an inherent hypocrisy to Dove’s marketing angle (particularly the image retouching), but the campaign’s aim seemed true enough to make a lasting impression on me.

What do you think? Are beauty products still aimed at helping a woman find a man or is it about female empowerment? And, for better or worse, which products’ ad campaigns speak to you?

Now we can really be with you at the cosmetics counters or salon, spa, drugstore, in-home demonstration, when you are reading a fashion magazine, and when you are watching an infomercial! Regardless of your budget, wasting money is not pretty!

And you do need me and my Cosmetics Cop Team! The cosmetics industry is so universally crazy that women from countries all around the world including Korea, Russia, France, Australia, Thailand, Italy, Singapore, Mexico, Israel, Indonesia, Vietnam, and China use our reviews to save their skin and save their money. 

All around the world, regardless of the beauty culture, women always ask me the exact same questions: what products really work for acne, wrinkles, sensitive skin, rosacea, dry skin, oily skin, blackheads, brown discolorations, scars, dark circles, cellulite, and on and on. My team and I have the answers, and it’s all there for you to access on your smart phone!

Everyone has wasted hundreds of dollars on products with claims that lied about what they can do. Our extensive research, relying on published information and our scrupulous analysis protocols is the only way you can shop safely knowing you are getting the absolute best products available for your skin and hair type.   

My team and I have written 18 books on skin care, makeup, and hair care, and each one has gotten bigger and bigger as more and more brands have hit the market. The most recent edition of Don’t Go To The Cosmetics Counter Without Me is over 1,000 pages. I know, I know, there is no way you could take that with you, but without the one-of-a-kind information we provide in hand when you were shopping, how could you know what you were really buying and how it compared to thousands of other products making the same claims? You couldn’t, and that is not a good situation for your skin, hair, or budget.

That dilemma is over now as long as you have an iPhone or an Android-equipped phone. My tech team has designed an easy-to-use site that allows anyone to quickly access the Cosmetics Cop Team’s reviews, even when you’re standing in the drugstore or department store wondering which mascara or anti-wrinkle cream is the best.

Are you looking at a new product being promoted at the cosmetic counters? Sign in to Beautypedia Mobile and see what the Cosmetics Cop Team has to say about it before you spend your money and risk disappointment! This is truly smart, portable cosmetics shopping at its best!

If you’re already a Beautypedia subscriber and have created a My Faves list, all of those products will be accessible once you sign in from your smart phone. You can also add and edit the My Faves list anytime, anywhere, right from your smart phone! How cool is that? You can even email the Cosmetics Cop Team from your phone, alerting us about any product on Beautypedia Mobile.

My Cosmetics Cop Team and I know you will find Beautypedia Mobile to be one of the best parts of owning a smart phone. We designed it with you in mind, and its creation was a direct result of subscriber feedback asking for this service.

As always, we welcome your feedback and thank you for relying on us to keep you beautifully informed as you navigate the tricky, often deceptive world of cosmetics!

Then, when I was recently in New York shopping at Saks I saw a sea of these excessive skyscraper shoes ranging in price from $300 to $2,000. Not only do you have to destroy your feet to be fashionable you have to pay through the nose for the privilege!

I have always had strong feelings about women who choose to wear towering, stilt-like shoes. Aside from the fact that these styles of shoes cause women to tear ligaments in their calves and knees, hurt their backs, and cause deformed feet, there is just the ridiculous impracticality of it all.

I watch women barely being able to walk in these monolithic, 8-inch soaring things that loosely resemble shoes. Stumbling and teetering as they walk after just a few steps I feel like offering them a chair and saying, “Sit down already, you look great, you are beautifully fashionable without the artifice, now take them off and get real!” 

Of course, you would never catch a man doing anything so awkward and just plain uncomfortable as wearing shoes that made walking an acrobatic act of desperation just for the sake of fashion. And we wonder why women sometimes don’t get a leg up in their career compared to men! 

I know: There are women who insist they love wearing these shoes, and if anything, their feet hurt when they don’t wear them. The reason the shoes may not hurt anymore (we know they hurt like hell in the beginning) is because just like the act of Chinese foot binding, the body and feet adapt to this mangled, distorted way of walking. 

By the way, foot binding was the fashion trend in China for hundreds of years. It was an important ritual for Chinese women to bind the feet of baby girls in such a way as to break their bones and reshape the foot. Feet remained bound in this manner for life so they would eternally look small and curved. 

Interestingly, Chinese women also wore a version of current platform shoes worn today. Can anyone hear the echoes of pain all of those Chinese women endured? It is a past that should have been left in the past and not transported to modern times on the streets of New York and other cities and towns around the world.

Okay, I’m done ranting. I’m going to put my flats on and go to work knowing I can walk down the stairs and not fall, or at least be ready to run from the fallout this blog may cause! So what do you think, ladies? Are the type of shoes Lady Gaga and many other women wear worth the effort, expense, and possible bodily harm? Does fashion have to be painful?

So, I got into a little debate with someone the other day who thought it was shallow of me to enjoy these types of shows. Her point was that shows focused solely on how to improve your looks send the wrong message: conform to society’s standard of beauty so that you can find love, a better job, a better life.

Let me start out by clarifying that I absolutely agree that what’s on the inside is what matters most. No amount of makeup, plastic surgery or designer clothes can make up for an “ugly,” mean-spirited personality, and beauty has never made anyone a better person.

But I do think there is something rewarding about taking care of yourself and putting your best face forward. This is clearly demonstrated in makeover shows when you see the participant’s eyes light up and their confidence soar after their transformation is complete. How you achieve that is up to you—whether it means taking care of your skin, wearing makeup, exercising, or anything else that makes you feel good about yourself. The point is: It’s ok to care about YOU.

I know there are plenty of you out there who are thinking, “I don’t need that stuff to feel better about myself.” You know what, good for you! However, if reality shows prove anything, it’s that there are people who, for whatever reason, aren’t giving themselves what they need. If that’s you, I urge you to get out of your beauty rut and take control of how you feel about yourself.

Here are a few tips to jump start your process:

• Don’t think you have time for good skin care? Here’s a guide to beautiful skin in five minutes!
• Have no clue where to start with makeup? Take a trip to your local department store and have several of the makeup artists there show you some techniques and help you pick out flattering colors.
• Are you worried about spending money on beauty products? Visit www.beautypedia.com where you can find cosmetic products in all price categories. Some of the top rated products are under $5!

The rest is up to you! Whether you agree or disagree with my thoughts on makeovers and the shows that focus on them, one thing is undeniable: Taking care of your overall wellbeing is important and sometimes that means making your exterior beauty a priority. Now, let’s hear what you have to say…

“Oh really?” Thinking she’d gotten a piercing or a tattoo, I braced myself for whatever could come next. “And why’s that?”

She sighed. “My skin is out of control. I didn’t bring any of Paula’s stuff with me and now I look awful.” She went on to explain that with so many activities this summer, she’d completely neglected her skin. School would be starting soon, and I could hear the despair in her voice.

“Don’t worry. I’m sure that with Paula’s products we can get your skin back in shape in no time.” She agreed, but sounded skeptical and defeated.

When she got off the plane, I was thrilled to see her, but I could see why she was so upset about her skin: An inch-wide ring of blackheads and pimples bordered her hairline and jaw, her forehead was an oil slick of blemishes, and her cheeks and nose had layers upon layers of flaky, dry skin. Turns out that not only had she stopped using the Paula’s Choice CLEAR Anti-Acne system, but she’d also failed to wear sunscreen on her face all summer long!

I actually gasped.

No wonder her face was a mess! Having to combat acne is work enough, but giving your skin sun damage to repair on top of it? That’s definitely a losing battle. I tried not to lecture her—in fact, I didn’t need to lecture her. The evidence was right there on her face, and she knew it.

That night, like a magician with a bag of tricks, I pulled out Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Carbon Mask, Hydralight Moisture-Infusing Lotion and an entire CLEAR system: cleanser, exfoliating toner and topical benzoyl peroxide. We started with the cleanser, then applied the mask to the oily and blemished spots, let it dry, and then rinsed. She immediately felt a difference in her skin. Progress!

We then applied regular strength CLEAR Targeted Acne Relief Toner, followed by the 2.5% benzoyl peroxide Acne Fighting Treatment. (Even though her skin was in critical condition, I didn’t want to risk irritation with the extra-strength versions). After everything had dried, we applied the Hydralight Moisture-Infusing Lotion to her cheeks. She looked in the mirror and a smile broke across her face—an actual smile!

After one week of this routine (with the mask applied every other night and our Skin Balancing Daily Mattifying Lotion with SPF 15 every day) her skin is well on its way to recovery. She had to write down the exact order of her routine, but her diligence has paid off: The blemishes are receding, blackheads are going away, and her dry, flaky skin is all but gone. Her skin isn’t flawless, but it’s getting there, and the boost to her self-esteem is undeniable.

She starts high school in two weeks, and I’m so glad that her skin will be one less thing to worry about!  And, yes, I’ve already put a big bottle of SPF 15 in her backpack.

Since returning from vacation I’ve been paying more attention to how sun-damaged my arms are looking. The tiny freckles are part of how my skin responds to sun exposure even with high-SPF products (remember, no sunscreen is 100% effective at blocking the sun’s rays) and aren’t cause for concern. What bothers me are the larger, more mottled brown patches that only seem to be getting worse with age. It was time to do something about it!

After ruling out a series of Fraxel Refine treatments (I didn’t want to pony up $2,000 for a series of five, though from what I understand that’s a reasonable price), I decided to have the Vi Peel done. This peel, which was the only one this particular dermatologist offers, is a blend of trichloroacetic acid (TCA), tretinoin, salicylic acid, phenol, and vitamin C. According to the dermatologist, she no longer offers other types of peels because her patients have been thrilled with this one. I didn’t explore whether that’s true or not, but I was eager to see what the Vi peel could do for my sun-abused arms.

Before the peel commenced, I had to read and sign a consent form—standard practice before doctor-performed cosmetic procedures—but that’s where I paused to ask a question before signing on the dotted line.  

What stuck out was the statement that by signing the consent form for the Vi Peel I was waiving my right to request information about the percentage of active ingredients in the peel. Were they serious? I asked the dermatologist about this and she said yes, this form must be signed or they cannot administer the peel. I asked if she would tell me the percentages off the record and her response was that the company that sells the peel (Kalil Medical Products) won’t tell her, either, citing “proprietary information.” Imagine that!

OK, I understand the proprietary portion, but come on! This is a professional peel that’s only sold to and authorized for use by physicians or nurses. Next I asked what they’d do if a patient had an adverse reaction that required medical attention—would the company divulge the percentages then? She wasn’t sure, but suspected they would, and of course she mentioned that none of her patients had experienced a negative reaction to the peel. I didn’t feel pressured to go on, but I was stuck: either I consent or walk away.

Reluctantly, I signed the form. My logic, and mind you my brain was running low on caffeine and it was early in the morning, was that this is being done on my arms, not my face. Given the company-mandated subterfuge at hand, I probably wouldn’t have gone through with the peel if it was being applied to my face.

As for the procedure itself, it was quick and, true to claim, painless. My arms were cleansed, and then the liquid peel was poured onto disposable gauze pads and stroked in a series of three successive layers over each arm, from my wrist to the bicep area. The odor was, well, it didn’t smell good. I can’t imagine having this applied right beneath my nose, and because the peel is left on skin, you smell it for hours afterward.

Once the peel had been applied, I was given detailed post-care instructions and sent home. The peel needs to be left undisturbed for at least four hours after being applied, so I didn’t shower or apply skin-care products to my arms until later that day. Since then, I’ve either been wearing long sleeves (not the best idea at the height of summer) or slathering on sunscreen so as not to undo the eventual results.

I was told that by day three I’d notice peeling as if my skin was recovering from sunburn. So far that hasn’t happened; my skin feels tighter, has a subtle sheen, and looks a bit tan (that’s common). It has also been itchy, but nightly application of Paula’s Choice Slip Into Silk Body Lotion provides welcome relief.

By day seven I’m supposed to see the full effect, meaning signs of sun damage should be noticeably diminished. That’s exactly what I hope to see but whether or not I’ll go back for another Vi Peel remains to be seen. They’re pricey ($250 per treatment) but if the results are impressive enough I could see having it done again. I’ll comment on my progress soon, so be sure to check back! In the meantime, have you had the Vi Peel? Other peels? Did you like the results? Share your experience with us!

I knew I’d regret it, but the choice between getting up to cleanse at the sink or staying in bed (and sometimes the couch) is too overwhelming. At the end of a long day, my body longs to lie down rather than stand at the sink ritually going through my skin-care routine, and flossing and brushing my teeth, and using Latisse and using Minoxidil, and putting body lotion on, and putting a foot exfoliant cream on. Damn I have a long routine!

So I tell myself, “I’ll just lie down for a few minutes and finish the end of CSI or Glee.” Yeah, right. Who do I think I’m fooling? I know the odds are 10 to 1 that I will ever get up to do what my boyfriend affectionately calls “exit procedures.” But I stay lying down, nonetheless, knowing there will be hell to pay in the morning.

Foundation, blush, mascara, eyeliner, and lipstick look like hell the next morning when you’ve slept in it all night. The smeary, flaky mess you see looking back at you in the mirror is a disaster. Speckles of black mascara in and around your eyes, the streak of lipstick across your chin, and dark rings of shadow are a sight to behold. It looks like something out of a bad movie about the drug underworld.

But how bad it looks is only half of the disaster. Swollen, red, irritated eyes with veins bulging are coupled with crusted tears at the corners to create an itchy, sore, and uncomfortable mess. And, if that wasn’t bad enough, your skin is about to punish you for your negligence.

One of the problems with sleeping in foundation, pressed or loose powder (whether they’re labeled mineral or not), and blush (cream or powder) is that they all keep skin cells from sloughing off your face as they should. The combination of makeup and built-up dead skin cells ground into skin immediately clogs pores. For those prone to breakouts, it will trigger a new crop of pimples or blackheads that will appear first thing in the morning or will creep up on you by the end of the day. For those with dry or sun-damaged skin, it will just make your skin look dull and ashy. Yuck.

Though you shouldn’t have done it (and, as evidenced above, I’m just as guilty as many of you), here’s what you can do to minimize the repercussions of falling asleep in your makeup:

• Wash your face twice, and use a soft washcloth to be sure to manually (but gently) exfoliate your skin.
• You must absolutely use an eye makeup remover that has no chance of further irritating your eyes, and get every last trace and fleck of makeup off and out of your eyes. Paula’s Choice Gentle Touch Makeup Remover fits that description.
• Use lubricating eye drops (not Visine-like products) to soothe your eyes (this really helps!). The Refresh brand is excellent!
• Go over your face with a well formulated toner to add antioxidants to your skin and remove last traces of makeup from your face, particularly around the hairline.
• If breakouts or blackheads are a concern, it is essential that you apply one of Paula’s Choice BHA exfoliants (I prefer my Exfoliating 2% BHA Liquid, but you can always check Beautypedia.com for our list of best BHA products from other lines).
• If you can grab a minute, lie down with your head elevated and place an ice pack over your eyes (it will feel great and reduce puffiness and swelling).
• Apply a lightweight moisturizer such as a serum or a gel on your face and, if needed, a more emollient moisturizer around your eyes.
• If you can wear a lighter makeup than you did the day before you fell asleep with your makeup on, that would help a lot.

It goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway: Do not fall asleep in your makeup again tonight. Taking brilliant care of your skin at night will always reap far better rewards than those five extra minutes you get by lying down before you get your makeup off. I know, better said than done, but my job is to say it. Now if I could only practice what I preach!

So how in the world do you treat both? It’s actually easier than you think. The issue is that we think dealing with wrinkles is about heavy moisturizers or layers of creams and lotions, but it isn’t in the least. Those types of products don’t fight wrinkles! What fights wrinkles are specific ingredients such as antioxidants (like green tea or vitamin C), cell-communicating ingredients (like niacinamide or vitamin A), and skin-identical substances (like ceramides or lecithin). The texture of the product (cream or gel) is irrelevant.

Think about it like your diet. Salmon is good for you, but whether you eat it chilled, raw, broiled, stir fried, or poached, you are getting the benefit of the food. “Anti-wrinkle” ingredients can be found in a wide range of consistencies.

For someone struggling with blemishes, the ingredients that give lotions and creams their feel and appearance can clog pores so those types of products should be avoided. Gels, liquids, light serums, or watery lotions are unlikely to cause problems for blemish-prone skin. Every ingredient skin needs to fight wrinkles can be found in those types of products if they are well formulated.

To fight mild to moderate acne, the absolute best option is to start with a product containing 1% to 2% salicylic acid. This not only exfoliates the surface—which is one of the absolute best ways to fight wrinkles—it also has the ability to reduce, and in many instances practically eliminate, breakouts.

If you still need help resolving breakouts you should add a benzoyl peroxide-based product with a 2.5% or 5% concentration once a day, preferably at night. Research has clearly shown that benzoyl peroxide can be as effective, if not better than, prescription options to deal with mild to moderate acne.

Of course you still need a sunscreen because up to 70% of the wrinkles and aging you see on your face is a result of sun damage. Although if you are experiencing breakouts, a moisturizer with SPF in a lotion or cream form is likely to make matters worse by clogging pores. What I strongly suggest is wearing a foundation with SPF 15 or greater and a pressed powder with SPF 15 or greater.

You would also want to use a more emollient moisturizer just around the eyes. The eye area rarely, if ever, has a problem with breakouts and because the skin is drier there it helps to use that kind of moisturizer only around that area. But of course, it absolutely does not have to be labeled as an eye cream; any well-formulated lotion or cream will do.

It takes experimenting with effective products to find out what works for you. Here is what I recommend from Paula’s Choice:

Skin Balancing Cleanser (twice a day)
Skin Balancing Toner (once a day, under makeup as your moisturizer)
Skin Balancing Super Antioxidant Concentrate (at night, over dry areas)
2% BHA Liquid (at night, but can be used twice a day)
CLEAR Regular Strength Acne Fighting Treatment (at night)
Moisture Boost Hydrating Treatment Cream (around the eyes twice a day)
Healthy Finish Pressed Powder SPF 15
Barely There Sheer Matte Tint SPF 20