January 24, 2007

Your days of teeny bikinis, baby oil and tinfoil reflectors are far behind you. Now you never leave the house without UV protection – yes, even in winter (it's built in to practically everything you put on your face these days). But it's too late to reverse the damage you did before age 18, which is when 80 percent of sun damage occurs. But you can help your kids avoid your wrinkled fate, by starting the sunscreen habit early.

Sounds great, but convincing kids to willingly cover themselves in heavy lotion is a pretty hard sell. Doctor T's Supergoop might make things easier. This aloe vera-based, broad spectrum UVA/UVB SPF 30 sunscreen is weightless, fragrance free and allows the skin to breathe and stay dry and comfortable even while running at full speed around the playground. The active ingredient, photo stable Avobenzone, absorbs UV rays longer than most sunscreens. Add antioxidants vitamins A, C, and E and this goop is sounding good. Supergoop comes in a variety of sizes, from super-portable 1-ounce tubes to a giant 15-ounce pump bottle for home use.

Just think, if you start the kids with sunscreen now, maybe they won't have to lie about their age later (not that you do).

Available online at supergoop.com.