News & Features Feedback
New This WeekAround TownMusicFilmArtTheaterNews & FeaturesFood & DrinkAstrology
  HOME
NEW THIS WEEK
EDITORS' PICKS
LISTINGS
NEWS & FEATURES
MUSIC
FILM
ART
BOOKS
THEATER
DANCE
TELEVISION
FOOD & DRINK
ARCHIVES
LETTERS
PERSONALS
CLASSIFIEDS
ADULT
ASTROLOGY
PHOENIX FORUM DOWNLOAD MP3s

  E-Mail This Article to a Friend
Burned out
Fight sun exposure with clothes, lotions, and other potions
BY CHRISTINE JUNGE

By now, everyone knows that frying in the sun like a fish stick is bad for you. Luckily, cosmetic and clothing companies are making it easier than ever to protect yourself. REI, for example, sells sun-protectant pants and shirts. Men’s and women’s Sahara pants ($55) and shorts ($34) have an ultraviolet-protection factor (UPF) of over 50, and are surprisingly fashionable. They look like typical cargo pants or shorts, and come in green, khaki, or gray for men, and green, khaki, or blue for women. The pants can even convert to shorts using strategically placed zippers on each leg. To keep your top half covered, REI also sells button-down shirts with a UPF of over 30 ($40–$78).

If you don’t feel like buying a whole new wardrobe just to feel safe in the sun, you can also go the detergent route. When added to your washing machine, Rit Sun Guard laundry detergent ($20/six ounces) changes a T-shirt’s UPF from five to 30, according to the company’s Web site. You can order the detergent online at www.dermdoctor.com, and the six ounces should cover about 20 washes.

For those body parts not shielded by clothing, you can always slather on the sunscreen. Of course, there’s the normal variety — those made for arms and legs and faces. CVS and other drug stores sell various brands for $5–$10 for around four ounces. But what about your hair and lips? Cosmetic companies have got those covered too. CVS sells Banana Boat lip balm with an SPF of 30 ($1.99) and Clinique makes a Healthy Shine Serum that offers UV protection for your locks ($14.50/1.7 ounces), available at www.clinique.com and most department stores.

If this article is reaching you too late and your skin is already screaming from sun damage, you can always try Clinique’s After-Sun Rescue Balm ($16.50/four ounces), which promises to refresh skin and minimize peeling and long-term damage.

Where to find it:

• Clinique, various locations; www.clinique.com.

• CVS, various locations; www.cvs.com.

• REI, 401 Park Drive, Boston, (617) 236-0746; www.rei.com.

www.dermdoctor.com.



Issue Date: July 4 - July 10, 2003


Archive of our Urban Buys
Back to the News & Features table of contents.
  E-Mail This Article to a Friend

home | feedback | about the phoenix | find the phoenix | advertising info | privacy policy | the masthead | work for us

 © 2003 Phoenix Media Communications Group