I’ve been using Neutrogena Active Sunblock for the last several years and love its non-greasy feel. As an active person, I judge sunscreens by how they feel on my skin when applied and during sweaty exercise. What I should be evaluating is the sunscreen’s UV protection, but that’s difficult to determine since I never get sun burned.
I recently saw a magazine ad for Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock with Helioplex, which claims to offer better UVA protection, so I picked up a tube and tried it out. From the Neutrogena website, Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock “is a revolutionary, dermatologist-tested formula that contains Helioplex technology, the latest breakthrough in UV protection.
Helioplex delivers unbeatable UVA protection. It works better to help prevent damaging UVA rays from penetrating deep under skin’s surface. Dry-Touch technology absorbs excess sunscreen oils, leaving a clean, lightweight, non-shiny finish.
Serious sun protection never felt this light on your skin.
Compared to Neutrogena Active, the Ultra Sheer sunblock feels just as non-greasy when applied. The Active sunblock is slightly dryer on the skin because of the silica in it. But after using the Ultra Sheer sunblock on several long bike rides, it’s hard to tell the difference between the two.
As I was preparing to write this post, I stumbled upon an article form Men’s Journal, Defending Your Skin. I had no idea that European sunblocks were superior to the sunblocks we can purchase in the States. According to Men’s Journal,
“But new technology is making its way to the market. Last December Florida-based Ivax rolled out Heliocare, an oral supplement long available in a different form in Europe. Extracted from a Honduran fern, the orange capsules, used daily together with a topical sunscreen, ward off long-term damage, not just sunburn.
Neutrogena’s new line of avobenzone-based lotions, Helioplex, meanwhile, is a homegrown competitor to Europe’s best. The lotions withstand five hours of sunlight; normally avobenzone loses potency after an hour. And by tweaking an approved ingredient, the formulas don’t require new review. “I test products all the time,” says Dr. Darrell Rigel, professor of dermatology at NYU medical center, who last year conducted a study (financed by Neutrogena) of 30 golfers and got European-quality results. “This might be the best I’ve tested.” 
People need sunscreen more than ever. Perhaps it’s coincidence, but in the U.S., with its slow regulatory approval process, skin cancer is on the rise. For men over 50 it’s the most common of all malignancies. Yet many sunscreen makers have decided that the hassles of the U.S. market – and the FDA – aren’t worth it.”
Based on this article and better UVA protection, I’m definitely switching to Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock. I’m also going to purchase Heliocare to use with cheaper sunblocks, especially when traveling, since I don’t check bags and therefore can’t pack sunblock.
If you spend a lot of time in the sun, make sure you protect your skin with new technology sun protection products, even if you don’t burn!
Posted by: Chuck
Posted in Personal Care
Tags active, fitness, heliocare, helioplex, neutrogena, sunblock, ultrasheer, uva
Don’t scoff at this green fiberglass candy cane! The Thera Cane will become your new best friend if you have any muscle tightness, soreness, knots, etc. I saw the Thera Cane a couple of years ago at a health aid store, but was a little skeptical of it. That all changed last year when I developed muscle tightness and a knot in my right neck/trapezius area due to a new work desk setup. After seeing a doctor, I started going to physical therapy (PT). PT consisted of stretching exercises and massage therapy.
My physical therapist recommended that I start using the Thera Cane massager between my PT appointments. I am no longer a skeptic of this green candy cane. Using the Thera Cane was perfect treatment for my tight neck/trap muscles and allowed me to resolve my muscle tightness issue in a few weeks.
From the Thera Cane website…
“This amazingly simple yet effective self-massager makes it easy to apply pain-relieving deep compression directly to hard, knotted “trigger points” anywhere they occur - breaking up tension even in the hardest-to-reach muscles between your shoulder blades! If you have limited strength or mobility, Thera Cane’s patented design gives you all the reach and leverage you need!
Pressure applied to the muscles by the Thera Cane helps to maximize the flow of oxygenated blood to the muscles. This pressure aids in restoring muscle function by breaking up adhesions in muscle fibers and tendons. The increased circulation helps the muscle to work more efficiently.”
Here is an example of a neck massage that you can perform with the Thera Cane. To get more exercises, download the owner’s manual. Just ignore the cheesy pictures, especially the one of the guy with a mullet. I guess with a product this good you don’t need fancy marketing touches.
The Thera Cane will allow you to self-massage knotted muscles in your neck, back and other hard to reach areas. It’s also very useful to help self-manage soft tissue syndromes. If you don’t have the luxury of seeing a massage therapist regularly or have a significant other with massaging hands, get a Thera Cane and self-massage your muscle soreness away. I’m off to use my BFF, my Thera Cane, right now!
Posted by: Chuck
Posted in Personal Care
Tags massager, theracane
Over 10 years ago, I started using Coppertone Sport Sunblock while playing beach volleyball. Compared to the other sunblocks available at the time, Coppertone Sport was by far the best sunblock for active people. At the time, I didn’t think it felt greasy on my skin after it was applied. I was very loyal to Coppertone Sport and used it while playing volleyball, running, cycling and any outdoor activity that exposed me to the sun.
Last year I stumbled upon Neutrogena Active Breathable Sunblock. I was packing light for a safari trip and needed a small tube of sunblock and randomly picked up a tube of Neutrogena Active sunblock. To my complete surprise, it was the best sunblock I have ever used. I couldn’t stop raving about it for months. Every time I used it, I was amazed how great it felt on my skin. I hate the greasy, slimy feeling of “active” sunblock. Neutrogena Active doesn’t leave a slimy residue on your skin and feels so much better than Coppertone Sport.
According to the Neutrogena website…
“Neutrogena Active Breathable Sunblock offers high performance, skin-friendly sun protection for your active lifestyle.
Sweat-proof and waterproof, this breakthrough StayPut formula adheres to skin to provide durable sun protection that resists running into your eyes. The lightweight lotion contains silica powder to absorb oil, so there’s no greasy residue and your skin can breathe. Parsol 1789 provides broad-spectrum protection, helping to guard against damaging UVA rays and UVB rays.
Get ultimate performance sun protection for your active lifestyle.
Here are a couple Neutrogena Active Sunblock reviews. I swear by this product for any outdoor activity. The sunblock is absorbed very quickly and doesn’t have a strong scent. If you hate the greasy feeling of active sunblock, I highly recommend trying Neutrogena Active Breathable Sunblock. It’s a little more expensive than other brands by volume but it’s definitely worth the price.
Posted by: Chuck
Posted in Personal Care
Tags neutrogena, sunblock
