We’ve known this for a long time but we finally have confirmation: a new study shows that sunscreen can reduce aging signs on your skin.

A study from the Annals of Medicine monitored groups of participants who regularly wore sunscreen and reapplied at different times. Participants who had been asked to use sunscreen daily over the course of four and a half years showed 24% less skin aging than other participants. After they completed the whole shebang, researchers determined that daily use of sunscreen protected skin against skin aging.

So there you have it. But even aside from slowing the aging process, sunscreen protects from damaging UV rays and so much more. So we have many, many reasons to stock up on and wear sunscreen daily.

To help you with that, we’re giving you 20% off for the rest of the month of June. Go stock up on our 100% mineral sunscreens for your face and body and enter this coupon code when you’re checking out: SOJUNE13.

Happy Summer Shopping!

Memorial Day has passed and it is unofficially summer. The official first day of summer is June 21 so it’s really not that far away. But we want to start practicing our summer skin care and sun care regimen now. What does that mean? A few things but here are our five favorite tips to keep your skin healthy all summer long.

Sunscreen before getting dressed. Even better — lathering on UV protection (perhaps in the form of a replenishing lotion) for a few days prior to a full day in the sun can help build up a layer of protection for your skin. Then — of course — be sure to put on the sunscreen before you get dressed the day of to have that full protection. And don’t be shy about reapplying every couple of hours.

Have fresh sunscreen on hand. Sunscreen can remain effective for up to three years but if that bottle has been sitting on the shelf, gathering dust, look for an expiration date. Or to be safe, just replace it. And as Dr. Lawrence Gibson of the Mayo Clinic points out, if you’re using the proper amount of sunscreen, there shouldn’t be an entire leftover bottle at the end of the season.

Use sunscreen mist to protect your scalp. Our scalp too often gets forgotten in the sunscreen application process. But it’s not easy to get sunscreen under your hair without gooping up your mane with sunscreen. That’s why using a sunscreen mist, like our 100% Mineral Sunscreen Mist SPF 45, is a great option. It’s a light and easy way to protect your scalp from the sun.

Exfoliate, post-beach. We mentioned this last year: sunscreen can build up on your skin and if it’s water-resistant like ours, it may not be easy to wash it off. The best option is using exfoliation. There are several easy, at-home ways to do so. And it has the added benefits of buffing away dry skin, stimulating the circulatory system and leaves your skin glowing and healthy.

Be good to your sunburn. No matter what, at one time or another, we all get a sunburn. So if you find yourself in this condition this summer, try a few at-home treatments. Dermatologist Patricia Wexler suggested using a cloth soaked in skim milk and ice as a cold compress to bring down inflammation and calm the skin. In addition, use pain relievers and apply aloe vera or hydrocortisone lotions. And drink water — always drink water.

How do you protect your skin all summer long? Stay safe in the sun!

Remember last week we told you how fashionable our CEO Valerie McMurray is? Well it’s true! And each week, she’s sharing more of her style secrets with us. This week, she’s recommending body oil moisturizers.

As someone who only recently converted to using body oils, she’s become quite a fan. Why? We’ll let her tell you.

“I’ve always been a lotion kind of gal,” Valerie says. “I moisturize my skin religiously morning and night and have used a body lotion for at least the last two decades (yes I’m up there). I recently started using a hair oil to moisturize as well as style my often unmanageable hair.”

She continues, “It got me thinking that a body oil might be interesting to try: why not just slather myself head to toe in oil and just slink through the day leaving a trail of grease behind? Not so appealing. But, I recently tried a few body oils and to my surprise, am now a convert. These dry down quickly, nourish, moisturize and smell divine to boot. Sold! I’m slinking through my days sans feeling like a big grease ball.”

Here are three of Valerie’s favorite oils: 

1. Guinot Huille Satinee

2. Rodin Olio Lusso Body Oil

3. Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse OR

Are you a fellow convert? If so, feel free to share in the comments!

Getting fit is more than just looking good in a swimsuit; it’s also about being healthy. May being Skin Cancer Awareness Month also reminds us that our entire body needs to be healthy. And sure, that added bonus of fitting into our skinny jeans is definitely awesome as well! Personal trainer Pete Cerqua wants to help you do just that and have some fun doing it — maybe even go out dancing as part of your fitness routine.

Many of us may be turning to a personal trainer to see results this time of year. We spoke to Pete, who is not only a personal trainer but also the author of the 90-Second Fitness Solution. Pete shared his top workout tips about meeting with a trainer, staying active and protecting yourself from the sun when you have the chance to get active outside.

Soleil Organique: For those of us who have never worked with a trainer, is there etiquette we should follow?

Pete Cerqua: Be yourself. Tell the trainer about any injuries or medical problems. Let them know what your goals are and most important, this is not a session with your shrink so focus on your body and don’t expect the trainer to solve relationship problems.

SO: What should we do to prepare for our first work out with a trainer?

PC: Have your questions ready and get a clear understanding about the type of workout that is about to happen. Let the trainer know what you are capable of, as well as your past exercise experience so they can gauge how hard to push you.

SO: Between meetings with a trainer, what should we do to stay limber and pumped for our next workout?

PC: My workouts focus on strength training and high intensity cardio so I tell my clients to do less intense activities between our workouts. This can be as easy as a brisk walk, a yoga class, some of my home exercises or my favorite – go dancing!

SO: What can we do at home to stay in shape if we can’t get to the gym?

PC: In my first book, The 90-Second Fitness Solution published by Simon & Schuster I outline 3 levels of home exercises that will keep you busy. My favorite quick workout is to do a wall sit for 90 seconds followed by a plank for 90 seconds. Sounds easy but wait until you try it! If you need directions you can go to my website 90-secondfitness.com and click on “Take the Challenge” for more details.

SO: For those of us who sit at a desk all day, do you recommend any easy moves we can do in our seat to strengthen up?

PC: First, get up and walk around the desk! Getting the blood circulating is the most important thing you can do next to staying hydrated. After that, grab a co worker and do the Wall Sit workout described earlier right in your office.

SO: What are your favorite outdoor workouts? And how do you protect yourself from the sun?

PC: The big thing these days is training for some type of Cross Fit or Civilian Military Combine competition. These are basically obstacle courses which is a more complete workout than say going for a run. When you add crawling, climbing, burpees, squat thrusters and kettlebell swings into a workout you know it’s going to be amazing!

To learn more about Pete Cerqua and his 90 Second Fitness program, visit his website and you can also buy his books The 90-Second Fitness Solution and High Intensity Fitness Revolution. Find them here. And let us know how you’re staying fit!

May is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month and a good time to brush up on your skin cancer prevention methods — just before summer. While sun protection should be something we practice all year long, we like to get a refresher every once in a while. Since we’ll be spending more time in the sun over the next several months, now is a great time to prepare.

The Skin Cancer Foundation has a full list of ways that you can keep your skin protected but we’re looking at the top three most important things to keep in mind when enjoying the spring and summer sun.

1. Wear Sunscreen: When we’re on the beach, we want to wear those new swimsuits without having to worry about exposed skin. To do that, we use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. This will guard your skin from the broad spectrum of UVA and UVB rays which can damage your skin.

Make sure you apply liberally and don’t forget your face, your ears, your hands and your feet — all of which are commonly forgotten and exposed to the sun. If you’re concerned about how much sunscreen to use, take some expert advice. Elizabeth K. Hale, M.D., professor of dermatology at New York University School of Medicine, suggests aiming for two milligrams of sunscreen per square centimeter. It sounds really scientific but that’s about a shot glass full of sunscreen for your face and body. And just remember, you can never put on too much. Make sure you stock up on all your sunscreen needs today!

2. Wear Sun Protective Clothing: From sun hats to cover ups, it’s important that we give our skin a little break from the sun every now and then by putting on clothes that will block out UV rays. It may be hot but long pants and long sleeves could save you from an unnecessary sunburn. A good hat and UV-protective sun glasses will also be a lifesaver when the sun is beating down on us.

When choosing clothes to protect us, we look for UV-protective fabrics. Clothes that protect from the sun are often given an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) rating. This is an important element to look for when shopping for beach wear. Explore UPF rated clothing on Mott 50 and Parasol.

3. Find the Shade: The hours between 10am and 4pm are generally the most dangerous when it comes to sun exposure. Make sure you know where you can find shade and retreat there early and often. Take an umbrella — or even a “sombrilla” like this one — to the beach with you so that you can block out those dangerous rays all day.

While we definitely emphasize keeping your skin healthy, we know that staying fit is another important part of staying healthy. That’s why we recommend getting a good workout in at least three times per week. Boutique gyms are a great place for just that.

A boutique gym is a smaller, more compact gym where fitness lovers can get more personalized attention for less than it would cost to go to a personal trainer. Occasionally these workout destinations also emphasize one type of workout or class so you can really concentrate on your favorite way to stay fit. These trendy locations have been popping up all over the country. But we have three favorites we wanted to recommend to you.

Lithe Method: With four locations in Philadelphia and another soon to open in New York City, Lithe has gained popularity for its Cardio-Cheer-Sculpting style workouts. What does that mean? It’s a combination of cardiovascular fitness, cheerleading-inspired aerobics and strength training. It sounds like pure fun to us and you burn off those calories in the process.

Burn Fitness: Founder Tom Williams is a certified personal trainer and has a PhD in counseling psychology so he knows what we need when it comes to burning fat and getting fit. He created Burn Fitness in Los Angeles with the intention helping all of his clients meet their cardiovascular, strength training and weight loss goals. That means us too!

Base Gym: Not only does this Miami location offer top-notch fitness experiences, it also features indoor and outdoor workout options along with amazing views of the beach. The exclusive facility requires an application process in order to ensure that your fitness goals are met but once you’re accepted, no membership fees are charged.

Now let’s get fit for beach season. Who’s ready?

Have you been putting off spring cleaning? We have, too! But now that we’ve found a few great eco-friendly cleaning supplies we should be able to get started right away. These three options are safe for the environment and they work all around the house. When you’re done, your beautiful home will have its very own healthy glow.

1. Method Bathroom Cleaner: A plant-based formula, this concoction is an environmentally safe but powerful cleanser. It uses Method’s powergreenâ„¢ technology to fight against grime, soap scum and stains. We’re not fans of cleaning the bathroom either (who is?) but this cleaner should make it a little less of a chore.

2. Better Lifeâ„¢ Simply Floored! Natural Floor Cleaner: It’s more than just a cute name. This cleaner is made from a plant-based solution that is safe for the planet, your pets and the entire family. It also works really well on a variety of floor surfaces, including laminates, wood, tile and vinyl. We can see our reflection in those floors!

3. Mrs. Meyers Clean Day All-Purpose Cleaner: Since it’s a biodegradable option, this eco-friendly cleaner is a great way to clean everything in between. We like to use this spray in the kitchen to cut through the grease on the stove or clean off the counter tops. But it’s safe to use on a variety of non-porous surfaces, even those in the bathroom.

Once you’re finished cleaning, meet us outside for some fun in the sun!

It is easy being green — especially on Earth Day! We’re celebrating April 22 the best way we know how: by giving you 15% off on your purchases all week long. That means you can buy our naturally based, mineral, vegan and paraben-free sunscreen before going outside and enjoying this planet that we call home. You’ll protect yourself from UV rays, support eco-friendly products and save a little money.

This time of year, make sure you stock up on 100% Mineral Sunscreen for Face, Suncreen Mist, Environmental Defense Hand Cream and any other sunscreen or lotion you need for the season. You can pair them with your favorite spring makeup trends.

To get your discount, use the coupon code EARTHDAY13 when you check out. And enjoy your week!

Last month, news about the connection between skin cancer and UV lamps used in the gel manicure process caused a lot of concern for ladies who love having beautiful nails. (Us included!) We can alleviate manicure skin cancer risk by putting sunscreen on our hands before the treatment but we can also opt to visit spas and salons that do not use dangerous UV lamps. As an added bonus, many spas and salons offer all-natural manicures and pedicures that are better for your skin overall.

Texas-based Milk + Honey Spa offers natural nail therapy options. The team only uses organic nail products that are free of toxins. And if you can’t live without your gel manicure, they opt for LED lamps instead of UV. For those of us in New York, Lollipop Nail Studio has vegan nail polishes on hand and employs waterless pedicures as a means to reduce their water waste.

On the other hand, if you’d rather just avoid the salon altogether and do your pedicure and manicure at home, you’ll be in full control of the products you use. There are healthy alternatives to gel manicures that you can use yourself as well. We’re opting for Deborah Lippman’s Gel Lab System, a healthy alternative to gel manicures sans a lamp of any kind. Look for organic polishes and removers. Soy-based nail polish removers would be preferable.  Here are some brands we love.

1. Sparitual; 2. Deborah Lippmann; 3. Butter LONDON; 4. Scotch Naturals

Either way we’re ready to get our nails done from head to toe and taking cue from these spring looks.

Do you feel like portions are too big at restaurants? We do. According to these infographics, there is a lot of waste when it comes to food. New sustainable dining trends and programs prevent waste as well as an increased demand for local ingredients and sustainable food production techniques are taking us in a direction that’s good for the environment and good for us!

We love a new program called Halfsies that allows diners to eat a smaller amount of the food they’re served. The remaining portion can then be donated through the Halfsies program. Restaurants have partnered with the program to collect donations. When a diner chooses a Halfsies meal option, the restaurant will serve a smaller portion and the resulting “leftovers” are tracked and shared with the program. So look for the Halfsies logo on the menus next time you dine out.

We also just discovered a new app called Fooducate.  The app lets users scan food items at the store and discover their nutritional value.  The app also helps track down where our food came from and even assigns a grade to the product to make it easier to understand whether you’re about to buy a good or bad product.

Aside from eating healthy, eating local is also important. Getting ingredients that don’t have to travel far allows a grocery store, food producer or restaurant keep their carbon footprint small. So while you’re nourishing your body, you’re also helping the planet. We love these great spring recipes using local ingredients.

Stay healthy and eat well! What are your favorite local and sustainable recipes?