Spring!  Spring is in the air.  And so are harmful sun rays and pesky insects.  I really dislike both.

Fortunately, we no longer live in medieval times and have modern ways of handling this.

I am no sun worshiper, but I do not want to look like a porcelain doll either.  Did you know that in Medieval times, women wanted to look ghostly pale.  Laborers were naturally tan from doing manual labor in the sun.  These were the lower class people.  Women of means wanted to show off their social hierarchy by going out of their way to NOT look naturally tanned, proving they were above having to work outside.   This meant using a very white make-up on their face.  Unfortunately, this make-up consisted of lead, which lead to poisoning, facial deformity, sores, and sometimes death.  EGADS!

Today, we have almost equally dangerous fads, but we use these to look tanned – golden – sun kissed.  Indoor tanning (tanning beds, booths and sunlamps) can be just as dangerous as outdoor tanning.

One time, pre-cruise, I wanted to by-pass the boring task of laying in the sun, or spending a month in a tanning bed, and decided to try a spray on tan from a local business.  Really?  What was I thinking.? I am highly claustrophobic.  I stepped into this little booth as instructed, wore eye protection, and put the little plugs in my nostrils.  As soon as the spray started (down by my feet), I got so nervous anticipating this hitting my face that an elevated anxiety level kicked in.  I started hyperventilating and blew those nostril plugs out of my nose.  The plugs flew clear across the room.  I stepped away from the spray to retrieve the plugs because I knew I was going to die if I didn’t put them back in my nose.  I stepped back into the spray, got confused about when and which way to turn that I ended up looking vertically striped on my cruise.  Never again.

In addition to the harmful sun rays, we have to protect ourselves against insect bites.  Insect bites are no longer just an itchy annoyance.  We now have to worry about West Nile disease, Lyme disease, and the Zika virus to name a few.  That’s right – summer is not as carefree as it was in the days of our youth.

These days, I simply garden (not during the hottest part of the day) and use sensible sunscreen and Bug Guard.  Thank God I am the Avon lady.  I have tons of products at my beck and call.

My first deet-free pick is:

Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus IR3535® Expedition™ SPF 30 Pump Spray

Now at nighttime, especially if you are in a swampy area, my favorite pick for then is:

Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Picaridin Pump Spray

Now for my grands, my favorite is a blue disappearing lotion.  I know where I covered the skin on their squirmy little bodies, and I know they are protected against harmful rays and disease carrying insects.

Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus IR3535® SPF 30 Cool ‘n Fabulous Disappearing Color Lotion

What I really like about our Bug Guard protection is no longer being bugged by those pesky no-see-ums.  Have you ever been attacked by no-see-ums?  You can feel the bites, see the whelps appearing, but do not see something to swat at.  Please!  You cannot go wrong with our Avon products.

Best of all, after a day of being in the pool, or the muddy garden, and you are ready for shower or soak in the tub, you can now treat your skin to our fresh herbal smelling, soothing, tried and true product that is celebrating its 50th birthday:

Skin So Soft Original Bath Oil

Our most iconic brand, with the quality and benefits you love. It’s America’s favorite bath oil, and sure to be yours, too! Moisturize your skin while you bath with Skin So Soft Original Bath Oil. This jojoba infused bath oil is perfect for daily use. Its fresh herbal scent is made to both awaken and relax your senses. This luxury bath oil is made to open your pores for maximum moisture absorption. Turn dry or rough skin silky smooth faster than you thought possible. This 16.9 fl oz bottle is great to use while bathing or for direct application afterword.

Check out our products, you will not be sorry.  Feel free to contact me at AvonGretch@yahoo.com if you have any questions.

Visit my website to shop Bug Guard and other great Avon products:  www.YourAvon.com/ghegwood