Our legs can be our greatest asset when temperatures start to rise, giving us confidence to bare our skin and brave the heat. But dry, flaky legs or unsightly razor burn can immediately banish our summer-time high. “Extend the life of your razor by simply drying it after each use,” says Lara Davidson, Spa Director of The Spa at Pebble Beach.

“Razor blade dullness results more from oxidation than contact with hair, and water that sits on blades between shaves causes oxidation.” If you are afflicted with razor burn, Davidson suggests this home remedy: “Soak cotton in a small amount of cold black tea,” says Davidson. “Apply to skin and relax for about 15 minutes before discarding the cotton. Tea contains tannins that help to constrict blood vessels, and help combat the inflammation.”

Try these pre- and post- shave products for a new outlook on how fabulous your legs really are.

THE BRUSH
The SoCal Cleanse Detoxifying Body Brush made of 100 percent natural materials and packed in a biodegradable bag made of plant fibers, will exfoliate and rejuvenate your legs, prepping them for a silky smooth shave. $38, socalcleanse.com

THE BAR
A handmade, eco-friendly shave bar — a celebrity favorite at the 2012 Golden Globes Luxury Gift Lounge — La Luna Solid Shave Bar provides a luxurious lather that will leave your skin feeling relaxed and nourished. $4.75, paradisoproducts.com

THE OIL
Softening hair follicles is key to preventing razor burn while shaving, and the Rituals Skin Care Organic Pre-Shave Oil does exactly that, and more, with tamanu oil – a natural antiseptic that instantly reduces inflammation, irritation and chafing. $24.95, ritualsorganics.com

THE SCRUB
Made from freshly ground fair trade and organic coffee beans, the Skinnyskinny Organic Black Coffee Body Scrub exfoliant will energize and awaken your senses while removing the dull, dry skin. $30, skinnyskinny.com

THE RAZOR
The Schick Xtreme 2 Eco Disposable Razor is recyclable, and the first of its kind to use 100 percent post-consumer paper in its packaging. Made for men and women, the triple blade — featuring dual comfort strips with natural aloe and vitamin E — gives skin an ultra-close shave. $7.99, soap.com

THE SERUM
The Whish Flawless Ingrown Hair Serum banishes razor burn by fighting inflammation, weakening hair follicles, and restoring your skin’s resilience. $22.50, whishbody.com

THE WAX
Tired of the monotony of shaving? Kick your razor to the curb and try these salon sized, super-natural pH-balanced Parissa Leg & Body Wax Strips, to help you get silky smooth legs for up to eight weeks. Also included is a bottle of azulene oil with vitamin E to prevent ingrown hairs. $11.99, parissa.com

THE CREAM
The Aubrey Organics Crème de la Shave moisturizing shave cream, with organic aloe vera, apricot kernel oil and essential oils, will hydrate and soothe your legs as you shave. $5.77, aubrey-organics.com

It’s no secret that the sun’s powerful rays can be harmful to our appearance and, more importantly, to our health. That’s why choosing the right sun protection is such a crucial task. However, with varying label claims and confusing jargon, this duty can seem daunting. Thankfully — for the sake of our skin — the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is addressing this issue in an effort to offer consumers greater insight on the level of protection these products provide. Although manufacturers now have until mid-December to revamp their labels according to the FDA’s final regulations, here is what you need to know now so you don’t get burned by the delay.

BE CONSCIOUS OF CLAIMS

Say goodbye to “waterproof,” “sweatproof” and “sunblock” claims. Under the new FDA regulations, sunscreens can no longer claim to provide sun protection for more than two hours without reapplication. “If a sunscreen is water resistant, it can be placed on the label but it has to be combined with the amount of time it is water resistant for — either 40 or 80 minutes,” says Cybele Fishman, MD, doctor of integrative dermatology, New York City. When it comes to SPF ratings, only SPF 15 or higher will be allowed to claim protection against skin cancer and premature skin aging.

TRY: Sunology Sunscreen Lotion for Body SPF 50, $14.99; sunology.com

LEARN THE LABEL

Look for three key terms, says Fishman: broad spectrum, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Many consumers don’t realize that SPF only refers to protection from UVB rays — the rays that cause sunburn and skin cancer. Now, UVA rays — those associated with premature aging and melanoma — are taken into account as well. Products labeled “broad spectrum” will have to provide equal protection against both. “I recommend a broad spectrum sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher, containing either zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as active ingredients,” says Fishman. “These are inert minerals, not chemicals, so they do not cause allergic reactions and are more effective because instead of absorbing the sun’s rays, like chemical sunscreens, they block and scatter.”

TRY: Marie-Veronique Organics Moisturizing Face Screen SPF 30 with antioxidants, $40 mvorganics.com

SLATHER YOUR SKIN

It’s important not to skimp on sun protection portions for you and your family. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), most people only apply 25 to 50 percent of the recommended amount which, for adults, is a full ounce (a shot glass full to cover an average-sized body), and half that for a child. And of course, re-apply every two hours, or when you get out of the water.

TRY: Erbaviva Childrens Sunscreen SPF 30 with organic lavender and chamomile, $22; erbaviva.com

CHECK YOUR LENSES

Not only do UV rays lead to wrinkles around the eyes, they can also damage the corneas, leading to macular degeneration and cataracts. “Sunglasses are key to protect the thin skin around the eyes, but make sure yours offer UVA/UVB protection,” says Fishman. “If you’re buying a $5 pair off the street, they likely will not.” Look for sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays, and for maximum coverage, purchase glasses that span from your brow to upper cheek and wrap to your temples.

TRY: iWood EcoDesign Sunglasses, with reclaimed wood frames and 100 percent UVA/UVB protective lenses, $370; iwoodecodesign.com

BE MINDFUL OF REFLECTIONS

Just because you’re in the shade, indoors, or in cold weather doesn’t mean you’re protected. According to the AAD, 80 percent of damaging UV rays penetrate through clouds and reflect off snow. UV rays also reflect off sand, water and concrete, intensifying exposure. And although UVB does not penetrate through glass, UVA does–making it crucial to wear sunscreen every single day.

TRY: Coola Face Mineral Sunscreen Rose Essence Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 Face, $36, coolasuncare.com

DO SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF

Don’t forget to apply sunscreen to the “little areas” — i.e., the ears, feet, lips, eyelids and scalp. According to skincancer.org, squamous cell carcinoma, the second most common form of skin cancer caused by UV exposure, is frequently found in overlooked areas such as the rim of the ear, lower lip, scalp and neck. “Lips can get burned, age prematurely, and develop skin cancers,” says Fishman. “Use a lip balm with at least SPF 15.” Fishman also recommends a sunscreen stick with zinc oxide for the eyelids, and sunscreen spraysto cover the scalp.

TRY: Badger SPF 30+ Unscented Sunscreen Face Stick, water resistant for 80 minutes, with beeswax and coco butter, $8.49; badgerbalm.com

GET RID AND RE-BUY

You may save money by using last year’s sunscreen, but you’re not saving your skin. According to the Mayo Clinic, sunscreens are designed to remain stable and at original strength for up to three years. However, it is important to check the expiration date, as natural sunscreens expire sooner. Storing sunscreen in a cool, dark place will also lengthen its life. Warmer environments (an overheated car, for example) break down the composition, making it less effective.

SAY “NO” TO BASE TANNING

Getting a base tan in the hope of preventing sunburn is a complete myth when it comes to sun safety. There is no such thing as a safe tan, and any change in skin color signals damage from UV radiation. Research shows that the risk of developing cancer jumps by 75 percent in people who use tanning beds before age 30. “Tanning beds, which are mostly UVA, are thought to account for the rise in melanoma in women 29 to 44,” says Fishman. “And now, melanoma is the No. 1 cancer in people aged 19 to 29.”

Years of searching for natural beauty products with less-than-luxurious results led Spirit Demerson to take matters into her own hands. Longing for a virtual “candy store” of environmentally friendly beauty products in which quality wasn’t sacrificed for ingredients, she used her passion and self-taught expertise to pioneer Spirit Beauty Lounge, the industry’s leading online natural beauty boutique. With a strict criterion used to evaluate every item on the site, Demerson does the dirty work to find the purest products so you don’t have to.

How did your childhood influence your passion for natural and organic beauty? 

I feel lucky that I was raised with a reverence for everything natural. My Bay Area upbringing was very humanitarian, environmentalist and holistic. We were definitely the only kids in our neighborhood drinking chlorella smoothies and doing yoga every morning before school! My dad would make mud masks with bentonite clay and apple cider vinegar that I still use to this day. He’d show me how to use fresh watermelon rind as a toner or make a hair and scalp treatment with coconut oil. I was programmed to be eco, but not chic. That was something I had to bring together on my own. Once I got hold of my first fashion magazine at age nine, I was fascinated by image and glamour. I had to reconcile my lifestyle of natural wellness and sustainability with my love of luxury, beauty and fashion, and it has taken many years for me to finally bring that into balance.

You went from beauty school dropout to organic beauty expert turned entrepreneur. How did you get to where you are and what motivated you to do so?

Beauty itself has been a lifelong muse. I realized while in cosmetology school that it wasn’t giving services and treatments that I loved, it was the products. I went on to spend countless hours searching the world for products that were just as beautiful inside as they were outside – with clean, pure ingredients, high performance efficacy and glamorous packaging. I even spent a few years hand-formulating my own lotions, soaps and fragrances when I couldn’t find exactly what I wanted. There wasn’t one place where you could shop in a luxury environment for products that were as clean and green as they were beautiful, so I created one.

Unfortunately, shopping for truly “clean and green” products can be a struggle. Why is it so hard for consumers to know if a product is authentic? 

When it comes to everyday chemicals, such as those used in cosmetics, there’s a lack of data, research, regulation, agreement, enforcement and funding for any of the above. I’ve always been skeptical of claims that a cream can “erase dark circles” or “get rid of cellulite”, and now we have to take “natural” and “organic” claims and labels with the same grain of salt. This is why I prefer to buy only from companies I trust and believe in, even if there are less authentically clean and green companies making just as clean and green products.

What are some of the biggest challenges you face on a day-to-day basis?

There’s a lot of pressure that comes with being not just a beauty store, but a trusted resource. There are ups and downs with the “thin line” ingredients – the ones that stand between being perceived as safe or unsafe, natural or synthetic. I have to take all of the information available and make tough editing decisions from the heart and the head, which not everyone will agree with, and accept those differences, while knowing that a lot of women have put their trust in me.

You were previously in the modeling industry. How did style and fashion influence your beauty repertoire?

All those years working in fashion gave me a strong sense of the importance of presentation. I’m drawn to product packaging that photographs well and think of the site more like an art director than a web designer. Sadly, I’m often sent products with ingredients that pass the test, and packaging that does not. I think that, person or product, the exterior should be a reflection of the goodness inside, not just an afterthought.

What makes your job – and working in this industry – truly worthwhile?

Sometimes I feel out of balance – devoting so much of my life to an industry that’s all about the external, the superficial. Then I get that message from a woman in a town I’ve never heard of, saying “thank you” for bringing so many safer, more natural products together—ones that she couldn’t buy anywhere within a 100-mile radius—and making shopping responsibly and healthfully a treat instead of a headache. It’s all I need to keep going.

Six for Spring

Must-have products, from spiritbeautylounge.com, to give you a jump into spring.

	Kjaer Weis Cream Blush My spring/summer must-have! The right color cream blush takes five years off your face and adds an aura of wellness. $54
	Vivesana Solar to Polar Ultra This SPF 40 is the highest all-natural and organic SPF you can find and works gorgeously as a makeup primer and face moisturizer. $29
	Soapwalla Kitchen Deodorant Cream Over the years I must have tried 45 natural deodorants that didn’t work. Then one day there was Soapwalla, and now there’s no turning back. I won’t go anywhere without it. $12
	Tata Harper Hydrating Floral Essence I use this as a cleanser, toner, moisturizer or anytime-refresher as needed. It’s spring in a bottle! $65
	Vered Organic Botanicals Signature Scent Body Oil This body oil cured my winter-dry calves so that I can wear shorts and skirts, and it leaves me smelling subtly, not overwhelmingly, sexy. $90
	RMS Beauty Living Luminizer Why shouldn’t I have that “springtime glow” even when I’ve been sitting at a desk all day? $38

Yolo’s six-color Farm-to-Table palette—stone, clay, leaf, air, grain and petal—evokes warm soil and light, red apples and tomatoes, and harvest greens. “It’s a palette that can be used throughout your
home, from room to room,” Young says.

More people are choosing nature-inspired colors because they’re easy to live with, says Marie Brown, a LEEDaccredited professional and owner of Eco-Chic Design in Lincoln, California. “These colors don’t scream for attention; they’re earthy and soothing.”

Yolo Colorhouse’s spring colors take inspiration from the farmer’s market.

Yolo Colorhouse’s deep red clay hues enliven social gathering spots such as family rooms, dining rooms and kitchens.

Yolo Colorhouse’s light green leaf tones sing in open spaces.

American Clay’s deep gray-green stone gives a powder room drama.

American Clay’s light air hue is perfect for hallways, ceiling and trim.

RESOURCES

Zero-VOC paint is healthier for you and your family, kinder to the environment and has no odor.

AFM Safecoat
afmsafecoat.com

Anna Sova
annasova.com

Best Paint Company
bestpaintco.com

Bioshield
bioshieldpaint.com

Ecos Organic Paints
ecospaints.com

The FreshAire Choice
freshairechoice.com

Genuine Old-Fashioned Homemade Milk Paint Company
milkpaint.com

Green Planet Paints
greenplanetpaints.com

Livos
livos.com

Mythic
mythicpaint.com

YOLO Colorhouse
yolocolorhouse.com