It wasn’t until a few years ago that I learned about the UV Index (a measurement of how hot and intense the sun gets on a given day). At the time, I thought the index went from 1-10, with 10 being the absolute hottest rating possible. Imagine my horror when I realized the UV Index is generally 11+ almost every day of the Las Vegas summer! The heat must have fried my brain because I’m a total sun-phobe, yet I cemented my plans on staying in Las Vegas by recently buying a condo.
While Vegas is a bit extreme since it’s a UV Index of 9 or higher half the year, most cities in the US see extreme UV ratings during the summer. You can check your city’s UV Index by entering in your zip code on the EPA website. The site also gives you a map of the UV Index of the entire US. Here is how I go to extremes to deal with the crazy high UV Index:
- I try to avoid leaving the house before 6pm! Currently I’m self-employed, so unless I have a freelance photography job during the day, I generally don’t leave the house til 5 or 6pm. The sun is still out, so I still get to see daylight, yet avoid the hottest time of the day. I’m not a morning person, or otherwise I might get up super early, and then avoid being outside from 9am-5pm. When I get a job outside of the house, a night job would probably be ideal for me.
- I keep most of the shades in the house drawn, and have curtains up on the windows. The hot sun can still come through the windows and while it can’t burn you, UVA rays can cause premature aging, and possibly skin cancer. When I move to my own condo, I’m going to look into having my windows UV tinted. I have no idea how much this costs!
- I tinted my car windows with a UV coating to deflect the sun. Just because you’re in your car doesn’t mean the sun can’t harm you, so car window tinting adds an extra layer of protection.
- If I have to go outside, I spend as little time outside as possible. I always wear SPF 30+ Zinc Oxide-based sunscreen, even at 6pm! If the sun is out, I have on sunscreen!
- I always wear big sunglasses with UVA/UVB coating, and my next purchase will be big wraparound sunglasses, so that my crow’s feet get extra protection! I really don’t like hats, or else I’d wear a hat whenever I left the house as well.
- I carry around sunscreen with me, so that I can reapply in case I have to be in and out of the sun all day (which of course I try to avoid at all costs).
Suddenly that song “Sunglasses At Night” almost makes sense to me! Basically my answer to the heat is to stay inside like a hermit. The problem is when friends don’t share my extreme views, and they think it’s great fun to go outside when it’s 115 degrees! So I find myself making a lot of excuses, since most people have a hard time accepting that a UV Index of 11 = DO NOT GO OUTSIDE!
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May 22nd, 2008 at 9:34 am
I love the Sheshido sunscreen! It feels so nice and it’s non greasy! Great choice great choice!
I decided to buy the new Stila SPF 30 tinted moisturizer to get my free sheshido gift. I tried the Stila for 5 days and I think it’s making me breakout. Since I’ve started my Tazarac/Duac routine I haven’t broken out at all till yesterday. I’m thinking it must have something to do with the Stila. It has Octinoxate 7.5%, Zinc oxide 5.0%, Oxybenzone 4.0%. It’s oil free too. Something’s causing me to break out. I might try it again in a few weeks. The color selection is great. It feels good, not sticky but moisturizing enough. Coverage is good. No need to use another moisturizer on top of it.
Shiseido has a nice tinted moisturizer too. That’s what I’m going to purchase next.
May 22nd, 2008 at 10:56 am
Thanks for the info! I never realized how high the UV index is where I live–an 8 in Ohio! More motivation to apply sunscreen often and heavy.
May 23rd, 2008 at 7:35 am
I tried the Paula’s Choice Barely There Sheer Matte Tint SPF 20 in Sheer Ivory. Poor coverage, greasy and caused me to break out. I’m returning it.
Also tried the Paula’s Choice Ultra-Light Weightless Finish SPF 30 Sunscreen Spray. It’s greasy and caused me to break out. It leaves a greasy film on your face that leaves you oily all day but the skin is still dry. I’m returning it too. I agree with you that I don’t like her recommendations on sunscreen ingredients. I’m sticking with Zinc Oxide from now on.
I do like her HydraLight Moisture-Infusing Lotion. Very light but moistuizing. I have oily skin with dry patches. It’s wonderful for keeping the dry part hydrated but also not oily. It’s like putting water into your skin. I’m loving this one. Also has anti-inflammatory ingredients and many many antioxidants. I’m using this one over the Shiseido on some of the drier spots on my face. So far so good. The Shiseido is wonderful! My skin looks sooooooooo amazing.
Thanks for the recommendation!
May 24th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
I see what you’re saying here, but I don’t think being a hermit whenever the UV index is high is the way everyone wants to live (thus the reason most people don’t) … the UV index is the same here as in Vegas (I’m in Phoenix), but if I never went outside before 5 PM, it sure would be hard to ever enjoy the outdoors! We have weather above 100 for half the year as well, but the UV index is always high. Kudos to you for being so dedicated to sun protection, though!
By the way, what’s your favorite non-greasy sunscreen for face or body? I’m sure you’ve posted it before, but I’m specifically looking for a good non-greasy one with a high SPF and good ingredients. Thanks!
May 25th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
I am not sure here in the Philippines but I avoid going out when the sun is high like from 10am to 3pm. :)
Nice tips!
May 29th, 2008 at 2:57 am
JennBee,
I don’t like being outside when it’s super hot and sunny, so it’s not a big deal for me to stay indoors for the summer (aka half the year). Favorite body sunscreen: http://www.savvyskin.com/blue-lizard-the-best-drugstore-sunscreen . Favorite face sunscreen: http://www.savvyskin.com/the-best-sunscreen-and-sunblock . The Blue Lizard and Shiseido sunscreens aren’t greasy, but they are a tad bit thick (which makes them effective) compared to some spray or dry-block sunscreens.
May 29th, 2008 at 3:06 am
Karmen,
It’s possible the Stila tinted moisturizer is causing you to breakout. I try to just introduce one new product at a time, and if I get breakouts, then I stop. Then when they go away, I start using the product one more time just to make sure. You could look that product up on makeupalley.com to see what other people have to say about it.
June 14th, 2008 at 2:20 am
i never knew about this thing index… thanks