Made in the Shade: NIA 24 Mineral Sunscreen

While The Fashion Informer doesn't usually do product reviews (mostly because we're pretty low maintenance on the beauty front and have been using the same tried-and-true products for years), once in a while we discover something so great that we're moved to spread the word.

In this case, that something is NIA 24 Sun Damage Prevention 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 (try saying that three times fast). The name may be a tongue-twister, but the science behind this sunscreen is pretty straightforward: it contains 5 percent Pro-Niacin, which penetrates the deepest layers of the skin to stimulate the natural repair process, reversing DNA damage and helping the skin heal itself. Which is why the NIA 24 tagline - there's also a cleanser, scrub and skin strengthening cream - is "PreDamage. PostDamage. UnDamage."

We haven't yet tried the other products (for the reason stated above) but, being a fair-skinned individual with several carcinoma scares under our belt, we're now officially paranoid about the sun and have spent the past few years searching high and low for a good-quality sunscreen that won't aggravate rosacea, can be used in conjunction with Retin A, and can withstand the rigors of a hideously humid New York City summer without leaving us looking like an oil slick by day's end.

After using it religiously for the past four months, we can honestly say that NIA 24 blah blah blah Sunscreen succeeds on all counts, and them some. It isn't heavy. It absorbs instantly and dries to a matte - but natural - finish. We have yet to experience a sunburn or breakout. And our skin actually looks better now than it did when we began using it. In fact, we think they should consider adding "UnBelievable!" to their slogan.

Yes, The Fashion Informer is aware that this sounds like a cheesy infomercial, but we swear we're not being paid for an endorsement. It's just so rare to find a skincare product that actually delivers on what it promises that we had to share the news.

While NIA 24 blah blah blah Sunscreen ain't cheap at $55 for 3.4 oz., and can only be found at a medi-spa or dermatologist's office, we have yet to find a sunscreen that works as well. And in September, they're introducing something called Intensive Recovery Complex, which promises to make skin look tighter and firmer.

We'll be waiting...

If you want to read more about NIA 24's various product benefits (which are too Research Nerd 101 to go into here), visit www.NIA24.com.