After a string of colder-than-usual days in April, May has taken a sudden turn, bringing weather warm enough to be comfortable in short sleeves. It gives me a gut feeling that we’re in for another scorching summer this year.
The “BIKE to Hot Springs” ride I hosted during Golden Week ended up being a fairly hot day. By the time I finished the ride that evening, I had clear tan lines on my arms and legs. Having let my guard down thinking it was still early in the season, I ended up causing quite a bit of damage to both my skin and my body...
Lately, there has been a lot of focus on ultraviolet rays due to their significant impact on human skin, but are you all taking steps to protect yourself against the heat and UV rays?
While you might associate UV rays primarily with the harsh, glaring sun of summer, it is important to start taking preventative measures early in the season, starting right now.
So, today I would like to introduce some sunscreen recommendations that are great not just for cyclists, but for all women who want to avoid getting a sunburn.
First is Top Athlete Sun Protect “Fighter,” a sunscreen for athletes from Aggressive Design, a brand launched by Wako Chemical—famous for their WAKO’S line of oils.
Initially, it gained popularity mainly among cyclists involved in road biking and triathlons. However, last year's dangerously hot, abnormal weather led to a surge in demand for sunscreen among all genders. It has become so popular through word-of-mouth that it’s now used in a wide range of genres, including trail running, surfing, fishing, and mountain climbing. I use it myself, and it was a total lifesaver last year.
We’ve just received some new items from Aggressive Design, so let me introduce those along with our recommended sunscreens!
【AGGRESSIVE DESIGN】Top Athlete Sun Protect Fighter
Price : 26g ¥2,300-(tax excluded) ｜ 62g ¥3,500-(tax excluded)
Fighter focuses not only on being water-resistant but also on being "sweat-resistant." Have you ever had the experience of your sunscreen washing off due to sweat or rain, forcing you to reapply it over and over? This is a sunscreen that is difficult to wash off even when you sweat, as it repels external moisture while resisting being washed away by sweat from the inside.
It contains moisturizing and skin-conditioning botanical extracts that are gentle on the skin, leaving it looking beautiful without causing irritation, so there’s no need for extra cosmetics. Plus, your makeup won't come off as easily, which is a big plus for women.
The new, smaller size is compact and easy to carry, making it a perfect size to tuck into your pocket or bag.
【AGGRESSIVE DESIGN】Sun Protect & Cleansing Oil S set
Price : ¥3,900-(tax excluded)
We now have a compact set that includes both the sunscreen and the cleansing oil. Properly removing sweat and sebum buildup along with the sunscreen using the cleanser is key to keeping your skin in a healthy, clean condition.
Men in particular don't often have many opportunities to buy cleansing products, so this set is a great, value-added option for them.
Next, we have a release from CATEYE, a manufacturer that makes many products to help you enjoy cycling safely and comfortably. They have released CYCLiST EYE, a professional-grade sports sunscreen designed to protect the skin of those who love cycling from UV rays.
【CATEYE 】Cyclist Eye
Price : ¥2,760-(tax excluded)
By using UV scattering agents, this product prevents UV damage without causing a chemical reaction, making it safe for those with sensitive skin to use with peace of mind.
And personally, as someone who can be a little lazy, the fact that you can easily wash this powerful sunscreen off with standard body soap is something I am very, very happy about.
Both manufacturers' sunscreens boast "SPF50+" and "PA++++" ratings. Their UV protection indices are both at the highest possible levels, so their effectiveness in protecting your skin is guaranteed.
In my personal experience, I love that they don't have that typical sticky sunscreen feeling, instead feeling smooth and blending well into the skin. They spread very easily, which means you need less per application, so there's less need to constantly reapply—saving you product and money.
If you absolutely don't want to get a tan and want to protect your skin thoroughly, I recommend the stronger, more durable Aggressive Design Fighter. For those who have never used sunscreen before or prefer not to deal with any hassle, CATEYE's Cyclist Eye is the way to go.
These aren't just for sports—they're great for camping, the beach, and other leisure activities, so please try them out and see the results for yourself! Let’s enjoy all sorts of activities without worrying about sunburns!
The Circles Point System has launched!
You will receive 1 point for every 300 yen spent, whether you shop at the Circles storefront or our WEB SHOP.
Once you’ve saved up your points, you can use 10 points as a 100 yen OFF coupon.
Furthermore, in addition to coupons, once you reach 20 points, you can also exchange them for a Circles Safety Ride Cap!
To help you get even more out of our rewards, we are also hard at work preparing original goods that you can only get with Circles Points, so please look forward to those!
For more details, check out our blog post about the point system!