SPF Sunscreen is the Miracle Cream

I'm starting to get my summer tan on ... more like a runner's tan. The razor-back tank top tan along with the distinct spandex tan lines on my legs are very sexy. Not to mention my bare white feet next to my bronzed ankles. Haha! (Laughing at myself serves as great therapy!) I've thought of different ways to avoid the funky tan lines, but nothing too successful has come to mind. Running at 5 am before the sun rises will not happen for this snoozer. The other option would be wearing long running pants and long sleeves; this will most likely lead to me fainting by mile three. If I were vain, I'd go running w/ a bare nothing sports bra and boy short bikini bottoms and pretend I was a pseudo-beach volleyball player or elite marathoner. Haha - NOT gonna happen! ... I've decided I'll just deal w/ the tan lines and spend a day off at the beach to catch up on some reading and even out the funky tan w/ SPF 50 sunscreen. Life's tough living as a California girl :)

Being facetious about my farmer's tan is one thing, but when it comes to skin care and sun protection I become a little paranoid and neurotic. (It's a type A doctor thing.) Before I head out for my daily run I do the mental head, shoulders, knees and toes check. Head for the hat, sunglasses, and facial sunscreen. Shoulders and knees for the body sunscreen; I prefer the Banana Boat spray on bottles b/c it's quick, clean, and easy. Toes for the anti-chaffing glide - not sun related, but extremely important!

There are two things I notice about elite long distance runners - their great running stride and the WRINKLES on their face caused from long time sun damage. My goal is to run half marathons in my 50s AND look 35 doing it - not the other way around! (Yes, I know I've been blessed with the anti-aging youthful Asian gene, but I'm not taking my chances!) I've tried a handful of different facial sun screen: Neutrogena Oil Free Face Sunscreen, Beauty Society Physical Sunscreen, and more recently Murad Oil Free Sunscreen. The oil free stuff from any brand works best b/c it doesn't clog up the skin pores to create an acne problem. It also looks less greasy on your face before and after any physical activity. The Neurtrogena brand is cost effective and serves the purpose to protect the skin. Lately, I've become fan of the Murad Oil Free SPF 30 Sunscreen. It goes on w/ a matte finish, stays on for a long time w/o me looking like a grease pan, and has an anti aging component - VERY important for my anti wrinkle campaign :) ... Bottom line: Lather on the sunscreen to prevent the wrinkles and skin damage, AND wear the sunglasses to prevent those cataracts! You'll be looking youthful and seeing 20/happy for a long time!