Expert tips and exciting deals to beat the summer heat
A couple of days into March, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) warned that some areas may experience a heat index of 40 degrees Celsius and above. It’s not even officially summer.
The gears in our heads are probably turning with ideas on how to make the most of our time in the sun. We’re planning vacations, activities, beach trips, outdoor adventures, picnics in the park, weekend getaways, and ways to soak up every bit of sunshine while it lasts.
Summer brings plenty of fun, but it also comes with its risks. We have to hydrate, drink lots of water, and avoid direct sun exposure. But even when we try to stay under the shade, harmful UV rays still get through. Sunscreen is not just a product to keep our skin white and bright—it is a must. It acts as a layer of protection against the sun’s harmful rays, helping to prevent sunburn, premature aging, and even skin cancer.
At the Watsons Summer Fun event on March 3 at the Sky Garden, Mall of Asia, Dr. Loren Cole Magpantay of One Skin Wellness gave useful tips on how to choose the right sunscreen. She said to look for broad-spectrum protection on the label because it blocks both UVA and UVB rays. She suggested SPF 30 or higher for daily use and SPF 50 for prolonged outdoor exposure.
“For the face and neck, use about a nickel-sized amount. And for the body, it would be about a shot glass or two tablespoons’ worth,” Magpantay said. “Don’t forget the ears, the back of the neck, the top of the feet, and, of course, the hands. For the lips, you also need to protect them, so you should use a lip balm with SPF.”
Reapply regularly
Magpantay reminded everyone that sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours to maintain protection, or right after swimming and sweating. Even water-resistant sunscreens need to be reapplied after prolonged exposure. She suggested that those who wear makeup use setting sprays with SPF or powder sunscreens for reapplication.
Protective clothing should work hand in hand with sunscreen, such as a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses. She added that, generally, sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. should be avoided, but more specifically, one should stay out of the sun from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
If you’re planning for activities, it’s best to stock up on different types of sun protection. Watsons has a wide range of products available in their branches.
Sharon Decapia, Watsons Philippines SAVP for Marketing, PR, and Sustainability, said they have over 2,000 sun care products and around 100 brands, including the oral sunblock Mosbeau Sunfade from Japan. Watsons is currently offering product sets with discounts.
“We have our very own Watsons brand, which, over the years, has improved in quality—we can attest to that. We have DERMACTION Plus by Watsons,” she said. She also mentioned their top brands, such as Nivea, Pond’s, Vaseline, Deoproce, Belo, Beach Hut, Banana Boat, and Luxe Organix, which are offering discounts of up to 50 percent and buy-one-get-one deals from March 13 to 16.
They also have promos for products to help you look your best for all summer activities, with brands such as Watsons Brand, Avon, Neutrogena, Garnier, Cetaphil, Celeteque, Derm Plus, Sunplay, Senka, Tsubaki, Maybelline, Barenbliss, Dazzle Me, YOU, Sola, Moringa, and Gluta-C, offering deals of up to 50-percent off.
Mall tour
The Summer Fun activation will move to different malls, including SM Clark, SM North, and SM Megamall, according to Decapia. They will be at SM Mega Fashion Hall on May 8, where visitors will have the chance to meet their favorite Premier Volleyball League (PVL) stars Kim Kianna Dy, Fifi Sharma, and Jolina Dela Cruz. The activation will also be at SM Clark on May 22.
What we enjoyed about this activation was that, on top of the discounts, brands offered giveaways for those who purchased on-site. The most popular giveaways most brands offered were adorable bag charms. Plus it led us to discover more products that we might need for summer, including for post-sun exposure such as aloe vera creams. We were also excited to spot Kool Fever’s Cooling Water spray.
Watsons is giving away tickets for the PVL All-Filipino Conference. Those who shop via the Watsons app and use the Click and Collect or Express Delivery option can redeem codes for the PVL tickets.
