Here comes the sun

After a long winter spent either bundled up or indoors, everyone will welcome the chance to spend the summer months gardening, hiking, swimming, or just lazing around outside. That means patients will be looking for sun protection and other skin products designed to keep their outer selves happy and healthy.

Sun shields

NIA24 Sun Damage PreventionSunscreen is an SPF 30 mineral lotion made by Niadyne Inc. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide provide broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection, and a special formula that includes vitamin E helps repair past sun damage. The mineral formula absorbs quickly and can start protecting against the sun soon after application.

While at the beach or pool, parents can ensure their children’s safety from the sun’s harmful effects with SPF 70 for Kids Continuous Mist Sunscreen from Hampton Sun. The hypoallergenic oil-free spray formula offers protection against broad spectrum UVA/UVB rays, along with moisturizers and Vitamins A, C, and E to keep sun-brightened skin from drying out. Even when applied to wet skin, the spray goes on smoothly, so there’s no need to towel off or wait for skin to dry before application.

Merck’s Coppertone line has introduced Wet ’n Clear Kids Continuous Spray SPF 50+. The dermatologist-tested spray formula provides broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection that lasts for up to 80 minutes, even in the water. The product goes on clear, so there’s no need to worry about white residue clinging to the skin.

Beach Defense is the new line of sunscreens from Neutrogena. The product is available in both lotion and spray formulations, and at SPF 30 and SPF 70 protection levels. Beach Defense’s broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection uses Neutrogena’s proprietary helioplex formula to provide long-lasting protection. The lightweight, fast-absorbing formula is oil- and PABA-free, and is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.

First aid

Patients with blisters, cuts, and scrapes can keep the affected areas protected using Prestige Brands’ New-Skin Liquid Bandage. One stroke of the product’s brush-on applicator creates an antiseptic barrier over the wound that keeps dirt and germs at bay and guards against infection; this tough yet flexible covering moves with the body and lets the skin breathe while it keeps water  and irritants out. Designed for use on a bigger cut or a more extensive scrape, New-Skin Liquid Spray Bandage provides the same protection as Liquid Bandage. It can also be used prophylactically before the start of a run or a hike, to profortify tender areas against blisters or other irritations.

Irritation relief

Are your patients looking for relief from the discomfort and itchiness common to eczema? Galderma Laboratories’ Cetaphil brand has launched Restoraderm, a line of products designed to provide relief to itchy, irritated skin. Restoraderm’s Skin Restoring Body Wash uses shea butter and sunflower seed oil to help the skin retain moisture. The body wash contains no fragrances, parabens, or nut oils and is safe for adults, children, and infants over three months of age. The Skin Restoring Moisturizer helps restore ceramide lipids and certain proteins known as filaggrins to the skin, both of which are missing or at depleted levels in eczema patients. Also featuring shea butter and sunflower seed oil, the product provides moisture to the skin and protects its natural moisture barrier, without the use of fragrances, nut oils, or parabens. According to the manufacturer, when the two products are used together as part of a daily skin-care regimen, they can relieve itchiness, help symptoms such as redness and dryness to subside, and subdue irritation.

Acne solutions

Acne sufferers in search of a natural skin-care product need look no further than Burt’s Bees. Its Natural Acne Solutions line of noncomedogenic products uses salicylic acid derived from willow-bark extract to combat breakouts. The products include a Purifying Gel Cleanser, Pore-Refining Scrub, Daily Moisturizing Lotion, Clarifying Toner, and a Spot Treatment Cream available in two strengths. Customers who want to sample the products can try the 3 Step Regimen kit, which features the cleanser, moisturizing lotion, and spot treatment in regular strength.

Sensitive skin

From Unilever, the popular U.K. skincare brand Simple has come to the States. Specially formulated for sensitive skin, the 18 products in this line are noncomedogenic and hypoallergenic, and contain no dyes or artificial fragrances. Cleansers, wipes, moisturizers, and eye-care products are available for a variety of sensitive-skin types, and all contain pro-vitamin B₅ to help keep skin smooth and soft.

Adding to its Naturals product line, Neutrogena has launched Naturals Face & Body Bar. The bar is fragrance-free and contains avocado and olive oil to cleanse skin and combat dryness. Customers with acne will appreciate the Naturals Acne Spot Treatment, which uses naturally derived salicylic acid to treat breakouts and wintergreen leaf to help prevent future breakouts.

Proctor & Gamble’s Olay has added three new products to the Olay Pro-X line, all of which are fragrance-free. Pro-X Spot Fading Treatment hydrates the skin to even skin tone and works on reducing the appearance of discolored spots and marks caused by skin damage. Olay’s Brightening Protocol features the other two products: Anti-Oxidant UV Blocker Sheer Daily Moisturizer SPF 35 and Brightening Renewal Cream. The moisturizing cream helps to even skin tone and smooth the skin while also reducing the look of discolorations. The moisturizer helps prevent future damage by providing broad-spectrum protection from UV light.

Body wash

Organix South’s TheraNeem Naturals line has two soaps that incorporate neem extract. In TheraNeem Liquid Soap Soothing Therape and Neem & Lavender Castile Soap, the neem formula includes a variety of antioxidants and important fatty acids, and the lavender is soothing for even sensitive skin. Notonly can the soap can be used not only as a body wash, facial cleanser, and a bath soak; it can also be used for household cleaning. In addition parents whose children have sensitive skin can help them find relief with TheraNeem Kids & Babies Cleansing Bar. The bar contains no parabens, sulfates, or gluten and contains a variety of certified organic oils.