.:: CybeleSays ::.

What a great way to round out our summertime feature, SunSational Sunscreens, than with the mother of all sunscreens. MUSTELA High Protection Sun Lotion SPF 50 ($15/1.6oz @ mustela.com) is made specifically for babies and children but like Johnson’s Baby Shampoo, I like it for me. It is made of 100% minerals so it won’t fully penetrate the skin and it’s hypoallergenic. Don’t you deserve some protection today?

The calender may now read September but it’s technically still summertime. At the forefront of technology in N.V. PERRICONE Solar Protection SPF 26 ($48/1.7oz @ nvperriconemd.com) and I’d only expect something extra special from this line. On the sunscreen side, it protects against the UVA and UVB rays and the formula is non-whitening, which means you don’t have to wait for it to absorb before heading outside. On the anti-aging side, it contains their patented ingredient, DMAE, an organic compound naturally found in fish, and key anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatories. This is a good basic to add to your daily routine.

Even though the summer will be over before you know it, that doesn’t mean you can pack up your sunscreen for the winter. One major doctor in the field, DR. BRANDT, recommends using one with a minimum of SPF 30 to fully protect. His Tinted Daily UV Protection SPF 30 claims to activate the skin’s natural defenses to protect from the suns damaging rays that can break down natural collagen. And as we age, we need to keep all our collagen!

The formula comes in three shades, Colorless, Face Medium Bronze, and the one I’ve been using, Face Light Bronze. So not only am I getting the full spectrum of protection, I’m also getting a slight tint that evens out my skin tone. It absorbs quickly into the skin leaving no oily residue and a matte finish. I put a teaspoon of this on my face each morning after my moisturizer, just as the doc advises, and I plan to use it everyday until it’s gone to prevent skin cell damage. $30/1.7oz @ drbrandtskincare.com ~Randi

It’s well over 100 degrees in Texas these days so I have to be sure I am wearing a serious sunscreen on my face. DARPHIN has a multi tasking Protective Face Cream with SPF 30 in their collection that is a total skin saver. Not only does this oil free formula protect against UVA and UVB rays, but also it hydrates the skin, protects against wrinkles, age spots and other damaging effects of sun exposure. It also contains a breakthrough antioxidant that increases its potency, as sun exposure gets stronger. You can’t ask for more than that! This is good for all skin types and has a very faint botanical aroma. $50/2.6oz @ darphin.com. ~Lisa

Finally a sunscreen that is completely chemical-free! The buzz about BURT’S BEES new Chemical-Free Sunscreen with Help Seed Oil SPF 15 is well deserved. This is a great greaseless formula that provides UVA/UVB protection and keeps skin well hydrated without harsh chemicals. This product forms a translucent broad-spectrum barrier with an SPF of 15 on top of the skin to reflect the sun’s rays naturally. I love this product that is safe for children and not tested on animals, so pick up a tube and go have fun in the August sun. $15/3.46oz @ burtsbees.com ~Randi

A good quality sunscreen doesn’t have to break the bank especially since you should reapply an ample amount throughout the day. COPPERTONE’s latest collection of sunscreeens has one for every situation. Need to cover Johnny with a high SPF before he goes outside to play? Kids QuickCover Lotion Spray Sunscreen, SPF 50. Need one that’s Oil-Free? Oil-Free QuickCover Lotion Spray Sunscreen. Playing on the local softball team this summer? Continuous Sport Sunscreen Spray, SPF 50. And for those like me who are just plain lazy when it comes to exerting any effort to rub it in, Continuous No-Rub Sunscreen Spray, SPF 50. $6.99-$9.996oz @ drugstore.com

Let’s not forget about the hair when it comes to sun protection. You spend a lot of money to keep it looking good so make sure to safeguard your investment before going out in the elements.

From the BIOLAGE Sunsorials line is a collection that will protect and keep hair in check this season: After-Sun Shampoo ($9.95/8.5oz), Protective Sun Gel ($12.95/4.2oz), Sun Repair Treatment ($13.95/5.1oz), Protective Hair Oil ($13.95/5.1oz), Protective Daily Mist ($13.95/4.2oz). All @ biolage.com

If you take yourself to the beach or pool, make sure you pack OUIDAD’s new Sun Shield Spray ($20/8oz @ ouidad.com). It will keep your curly strands safe and sound. It has full UVA and UVB protection, protects from the wind, salt and chlorine.

Here's another Sun-Sational Sunscreen to add to the line-up...

Is there such a thing as gender bias sunscreen? A sunscreen that works better on males than females? Hmmm… I’d like to take a pole to see how many men wear sunscreen on a daily basis. Probably not that many but quite a few new men’s grooming lines are cropping up every year so there has to be a demand. From a line that's been around for a long time and will conquer your man’s sun issues is JACK BLACK's Sun Guard Oil-Free Very Water/Sweat Resistant Sunscreen SPF30 ($16/4oz @ beauty.com) from the Black Diamond Formula Sun Protection collection. It’s oil-free and like the name conveys, contains the new FDA approved sunscreen/anti-aging ingredient Parsol 1789, and made for very extreme conditions. I’m thinking Mohave dessert extreme. They claim the SPF will last 80 minutes after your mate has come out of the water. I would have loved to see that focus group experiment! So, like his deodorant and razor, I will be coveting this one too.

I know that Cybelesays is all about beauty and nothing else but to roll out a new summer feature, we just had to relay some startling info. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, skin cancer it is the most common form of the disease in the United States. After reading all the statisitcs, the one that I will remember and leave you to think about is the following from the National Cancer Institute -- “1 in 59 men and women will be diagnosed with melanoma during their lifetime.” Onto the new summer feature …

Each week Sun-Sational Sunscreen will select one that meets all the important factors like high UVA/UVB protection, sweatproof/waterproof, made for sensitive skin, for children, hair or targets specific areas etc. Here's our first picks:

Who thinks of lips when it comes to protecting them from the sun? Greece’s APiViTA did with their collection of Lip Aids ($7 @ apivita.com) from the Propoline collection. There are six balms and three contain an SPF 15 and lip skin nourishing ingredients like plant extracts, olive oil, essential oils and a base of cocoa butter.

Need some color with that protection? JUiCE BEAUTY Organic SPF 15 Tinted Lip Moisturizers ($15 @ juicebeauty.com). Each is tinted using minerals and certified organic emollient plant oils and botanicals keep lips soft and hydrated.