Here Comes the Sun

By THÉRÈSE MARGOLIS

Spring is in full bloom in Mexico, and we are already getting a hint of the sweltering dog days of summer that lie ahead.

The scorching sun may be a welcome visitor after a year of covid-19 lockdowns and cold, winter nights, but with the advent of the summer season, your skin demands more protection, from dryness and sensitivity to acne breakouts and itchy rashes.

And while it is important to use sunscreen year-round (even indoors, to protect yourself from blue light radiation from computers and cell phones), with summer you tend to spend more time outdoors, so this is an especially important season to make sure you apply SPF 30+ or higher protection every few hours.

Sun Defense

The French derma-cosmetic brand SVR Laboretoire Dermatologique, which is available in Mexico exclusively through dermatologists, has just upped its game in the sunscreen department.

Now, the entire range of SVR’s broad-spectrum, high-performance Sun Secure protection line, created for sensitive and sun-sensitive skins, not only protects you from UVA, UVB and blue light rays, but is biodegradable and void of ingredients that can harm the environment.

These non-ecotoxic products for face and body — there are 13 in all, including in the form of creams, fluids, gels, spray mists, mousses and sticks, as well as CC creams with a hint of color and an Après Soleil hydrating cream — are so gentle that they are suitable for the entire family, even newborns.

But while the Sun Secure line will not irritate even the most sensitive skin, its high-spf (50+) guarantees maximum dermatological protection.

In addition to SVR Sun Secure’s extensive portfolio of different, easy-to-use textures and clean scents (they smell great, but are not perfume-y, so Junior and your husband will not shy away from using them), the line includes both chemical- and mineral-based formulas.

Based out of Paris, the SVR Laboretoire Dermatologique brand was developed by pharmacists Simone and Robert Véret (hence the name, which stands for their initials) in 1962, and is still a family-run business.

Today, the company has more than 110 skincare products in its portfolio, including acne treatments, atopic skin conditions and high-performance anti-aging creams enriched with hyaluronic acid and vitamin C.

Eye Defense

Your eyes also require special care during the summer, when you are more likely to suffer from allergy attacks, dry eye or irritation from chloride in pools.

There are things you can do to prevent these issues, such as wearing sunglasses (the good kind, with 100 percent UV protection, not the cheapy knock-offs you bought at the tianguis for 100 pesos), wearing goggles when you swim, drinking lots of water and applying eyedrops frequently,

But not all over-the-counter eye drops are suitable for treating all eye problems.

Fortunately, the Swiss homeopathic medicine company Similasan has just introduced in Mexico a line of 100 percent natural ophthalmologic drops that are tailored to relieve four different eye issues.

Available at San Pablo and other major pharmacies, as well as at homeopathic pharmacies and on line, the Similasan line, unlike traditional OTC drops that use chemicals to mask symptoms, works differently, harnessing natural botanical ingredients to stimulate the body’s own innate defenses, so you can feel better without drowning your eye in harsh chemicals.

Similasan Secsim can be used as often as needed, without the risk of side effects, to ease discomfort from dry eyes caused by reading, stress, contact lens wear or too much computer time.

Similasan Namidafix offers quick and natural allergy relief for red, itchy eyes. Similasan Vermelfix gets rid of bloodshot red eyes. And Similasan Fatifix provides soothing comfort for tired, strained eyes.

A Cross to Bear

Oro de Monte Albán, the only jeweler permitted by the Mexican government to produce authentic replicas of pre-Hispanic pieces, has just launched a new collection of silver filigree cross pendants.

Inspired by the traditional crosses worn by the indigenous women of the Isthmus de Tehuantepec region of Oaxaca and designed by Oro de Monte Albán’s in-house metalwork master Ileana Rojas, these delicate crosses are handcrafted by local artisans using ancient filigree techniques.

The use of filigree in jewelry dates back to around 2500 BC, and in Mexico is produced by curling, twisting and plaiting fine pliable threads of metal and uniting them at their points of contact with each other through the use of borax.

Oro de Monte Albán is a 100 percent Mexican-owned company that has been in existence since 1943, and is the only jewelry firm that has been authorized by Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) to produce gold and silver reproductions of pre-Columbian art.

Green Watch

The high-end Tag Heuer watch line has just released a brand new special edition watch, the Tag Heuer Carrera Green.

Inspired by the Heuer Carrera ref. 2447, launched in 1963 with its signature lugs and retro glass-box sapphire crystal, this updated edition, with its brilliant teal green stunning teal face, has a broader diameter than its illustrious predecessor, enlarged from 36 millimeters to 39 millimeters, and is adorned with modernized details.

Only 500 of these beautiful watches will be sold worldwide.