Category: Blog

I Have So Much Sun Damage!

KindofStephen

I’ve worn sunscreen almost every day for the past 5 years, so I was quite shocked to see how much sun damage had accumulated on my skin!

According to the device…I’m in the 27th percentile for UV damage UV skin health.

I’d in the 73rd percentile for UV damage, meaning only 27% of people with my skin type, age group, and gender tested by the device have more UV damage than me!

My face when I opened this photo full screen

Some of these marks may be caused by hyperpigmentation from the odd acne lesion, but the marks on my nose are definitely freckles. I noticed more freckling this summer and even went through a series of chemical peels to reduce them. While they’re invisible to me, the UV camera still picked them up!

The sunscreen I use, Ombrelle Complete SPF 60 Lotion, has high SPF coverage as well as newer-generation UVA sunscreens, and should have a high UVAPF as well. Though, because Health Canada doesn’t require UVA protection testing, we can’t know for sure.

Because of that, I’ll be switching to a European sunscreen that has the tested UVA protection on the packaging – Bioderma Photoderm Max Lait SPF 50+ / UVAPF 42.

I also think my problem is not reapplying my sunscreen enough throughout the day – clearly plenty of UV (UVA especially, which is responsible for skin pigmentation as well as cell and DNA damage) is still making it through to my skin.

Thanks to Alexandra at the Aviva Clinic in Toronto for allowing me to use their Visia Complexion Analysis machine. They offer a free session with the Visia, but if you’re not in Toronto try searching “Visia + Your City” and I’m sure you’ll find a clinic that offers a free session as well.

I also had the chance to test how layering products on top of sunscreen affected its ability to adhere to the skin. It took longer than I had hoped and I didn’t collect as much information as I wanted to, but I’ll be sharing the results soon!

(The squares on my forehead are eyeliner…not some oddly shaped sun damage)

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Join in on the discussion!

I’ve shared this post on /r/AsianBeauty, /r/SkincareAddiction, and on MakeupAlley

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day

KindofStephen

…and I want to share something.

A year ago, I attempted to take my own life. Looking back, I can’t really say the exact reason or the events that lead to it, but I can remember the immense sense of relief as I fell asleep.

I’m still here. But one of my closest friends growing up isn’t. I can’t think of the reasons, or the events that lead him to do it. I just know that I’m still confused, and that I still love him.

I don’t know if I could’ve asked him if he was OK more, and I don’t know if I’ve asked the friends that I do have that enough either.

This year’s been pretty fantastic, but even if it wasn’t I’m glad I was here to experience it. I hope by speaking out someone I know, who feels sadness, pain, confusion…who thinks maybe they can’t do it anymore, or that it’d be easier to feel nothing at all, reaches out to me, to a friend, a family member, even a pet. And I hope if that person reaches out to you, you give them that small moment and some kindness.

My Abyssinian Oil Samples Arrived!

KindofStephen

Been waiting on these for a while now. I’ll explain why I’m excited…

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Abyssinian oil comes from the seeds of the Crambe Abyssinica, a plant native to the Mediterranean. While its use in cosmetics and hair care is relatively new, it’s been used in industry and manufacturing for decades.

When spread on to the skin or hair the oil spreads quickly, has a drier, less tacky feel, and a thinner texture. This is in part because of its high erucic acid content.

Erucic acid is removed from oils destined for consumption, but topically it has a unique skin feel and presents no dangers. The fatty acid also polymerizes slightly, allowing it to create a film on the surface of the skin or hair. It’s also more stable than other unsaturated fatty acids, because the double bond isn’t conjugated.

The Holy Grail of many vegetable oils and lipids is to mimic the skin feel of silicone. More and more consumers are turning away from synthetic silicones like dimethicone, and we are learning of more risks associated with cyclic silicones, like cyclopentasiloxane.

Many of these natural alternatives still can’t compare to the smoothness, spreadability, and powdery touch of silicone, but honestly I think they’re close enough. I’ve been very impressed by some of the extracts that are being produced from seaweed as well.