My Favorite Sunscreen

I walk my dog almost every day here in Colorado. UV rays are stronger at altitude and we have 300 days of sunshine. According to my dermatologist, I have sensitive skin and a skin condition called rosacea. I was trying to find a gentle sun screen product to protect my skin from the damaging rays of the sun. I've always liked Neutrogena products and was happy to find that they have just what I wanted.  I chose Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Screen and just adore it. 

Image credit: Walgreens.com

I really like the texture of Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen. It's oil free and blends easily. I use it everyday and have had no breakouts or reactions. Neutrogena states that the product is PABA-free and won't clog pores. PABA can cause allergic reactions. Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen comes in SPF’s from 30 to 100. I'm using SPF 70 but intend to get SPF 100 next time. A tube lasts me a very long time which good because a 3 ounce tube costs about $12.00. Of course, you should do a patch test to make sure that your skin does not react to this or any skin care product. The only downside to the product is that parent company, Johnson and Johnson, does conduct animal testing. I checked the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Web site for this information. 

So what’s the big deal about SPF? SPF is an acronym for Sun Protection Factor. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for the regulation of sunscreen products. Although the manufacturer may suggest when to reapply sunscreen, the FDA says that the SPF does not apply to the time in the sun but the actual exposure. The sun is more intense in the middle of the day and different skin types absorb sunlight in variable amounts. The FDA also proposed a regulation limiting the maximum SPF to 50 as data is needed to confirm the higher SPF’s provide more protection. I don’t care if they’re waiting for data, I’ll use the highest SPF that I can get from a reputable manufacturer.

Several years ago, my dermatologist also recommended using a “sunblock” which at that time meant containing zinc oxide. Many people use zinc oxide on their noses for extra protection in some pretty wild colors. However, in 2015, the FDA mandated that the term “sunblock” cannot be used by manufacturers. A quick look at these products show SPF’s that are the same as other sunscreens. So much for purple noses. 

There is also the issue of UVA and UVB protection. What the heck are those and why should I care? UVA stands for ultraviolet A and UVB means ultraviolet B. Ultraviolet rays cause sunburn and skin damage. They are not visible to the human eye although some insects and birds see them. The electromagnetic wave length of ultraviolet light is shorter than visible light on the purple end of the spectrum. Therefore they were named ultra violet. UVA pass through the atmosphere. The ozone layer of the atmosphere absorbs some of the UVB rays while in transit. There’s even UVC rays but the ozone layer absorbs those completely. UVB rays penetrate the outer layer of skin, the epidermis. UVA rays penetrate more deeply to the middle layer, the dermis. The FDA requires that products labeled as “broad spectrum” pass a test that proves the product provides UVA protection in proportion to UVB rays.

I have many risk factors for skin cancer-fair skin, freckles, blistering sunburns as a child, and my red headed mother had basal cell carcinoma. I am so glad that I found Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen.

Aqua Glycolic Facial Cleanser

© Donna Cook – All Rights Reserved

I have an extreme case of rosacea. My entire face turns beet red on exertion like hiking or skiing. I've been stopped numerous times because people think my blood pressure is spiking and I'm going to have a stroke.My dermatologist recommended Aqua Glycolic Facial Cleanser and Aqua Glycolic Face Cream. I think they’re both wonderful products. 

My rosacea is a full blown case. Besides the blushing and redness, I still get occasional breakouts that look like acne, even though I’m in my early 60’s. I also have thick areas known as plaques on my skin. The two most prominent are near the tip of my nose. I also have spider veins on the side of my nose. Both are very embarrassing to me. My ophthalmologist noticed the skin redness and told me that rosacea even can affect the eyes, which was very surprising. I do get an occasional sty on my lower eyelid because of the rosacea. 

There is no cure for rosacea. I’ve seen several suggested causes. One of the early suggestions was a skin infection caused by Helicobactor pylori, the bug implicated in gastric ulcers. I was prescribed a course of antibiotics, but stopped taking them after a month. They really didn’t help my specific case and I didn’t want to be on antibiotics long term. 

As you may know, the skin has its own natural population of flora and fauna. As absolutely creepy as is it sounds, a mite called Demodex folliculorum normally lives in the sweat and oil glands of the skin. According to rosacea.org, the mite’s gut contains Bacillus oleronius which has been linked to rosacea outbreaks. 


I’ve seen all sorts of treatments on the Internet. Some articles recommend low dose long term antibiotics. Others suggest “natural treatments” like apple cider vinegar and tea tree oil. I tend to stick to modern Western medicine so I use a high SPF sunscreen out doors and exfoliate my skin with over the counter glycolic acid product, Aqua Glycolic. 

This is a non prescription product. I’ve noticed that drug stores may not stock it with skin care products or behind the pharmacy counter or special order. Buying online is the easiest way. Here's what I like about Aqua Glycolic:

• Lasts a long time. 
• Don’t need to use very much, one or two pumps.
• Cool soothing cream, doesn’t really lather.
• My rosacea is greatly minimized when I use it regularly.
• Does not dry out my skin.
• No prescription needed, buy it any drugstore.
• Gently exfoliates and skin is very smooth.
• The label says that it can be used for shaving and I can see where it would be good to use. Personally, I prefer gels that lather up a lot rather than a smooth liquid.
• Aqua Glycolic on a pedicure brush helps to exfoliate my heels. It's so much nicer than a pumice stone, nail sanding blocks or a metal rasp.

My dermatologist actually told me that I have "very very sensitive" skin. Aqua Glycolic only produces a slight tingling if I have not used it for a while. I had stopped using it for about a year and the rosacea came back with a vengeance. I learned my lesson and won't stop using it again!

According to their Web site, "Glycolic acids are natural anti-aging compounds found in sugar cane that help remove dead skin cells and moisturize your skin." I had oily skin until menopause and then dried up like a desert. Any type of soap or cleanser made my skin feel dry and itchy. I was afraid that Aqua Glycolic would dry my skin even more. Boy, was I wrong! It really does moisturize very well. 

Aqua Glycolic Facial Cleanser comes in a plastic six ounce pump bottle that I just leave in the shower. A single bottle is about $18.00 and triple packs are about $40.00, which as a savings of about $4.50 per bottle. I also use Aqua Glycolic Face Cream to give rosacea a one-two punch. Aqua Glycolic Face Cream is packaged in a two ounce jar for about $24.00. They also offer Toner, Shampoo and Body Lotion which I want to try. Those prices range from about $16,00 to $25.00. These prices are mid to low compared with other glycolic acid cleansers. Of course, soap and water is the cheapest way to clean your skin. However, soap makes my skin very flaky and aggravates the rosacea.

Recently, a physician did a double take when she looked at me and then my birth date. She said that I looked about ten years younger than my actual age. Of course, picking the right parents helps, but I think that using Aqua Glycolic Facial Cleanser and Face Cream regularly is a factor. 

I am so glad my dermatologist recommended an over the counter skin care product, not a prescription item. Aqua Glycolic Facial Cleanser and Face Cream work terrifically for me. 

Image Credit: Allposters.com