Good Morning Everyone!

Summer is definitely in full swing which means it’s time to go to the lake, swim in the pool, run through the sprinkler with your kids (or by yourself 🙂 ), go hiking, kayaking, camping and so much more!!!  As you start to make your summer plans, make sure you plan to protect your skin as well.  Our skin is our largest organ and it is so important to protect it from harmful UVA and UVB rays but we also need to protect our bodies from many harmful chemicals that are fund in many sunscreens.

Our bodies absorb what we put on our skin, some experts say up to 60%.  Just like we read the nutrition label on the foods we eat, it’s important to read the ingredient list on the skin care products we put on our skin and our kids.  Here are three examples of the chemicals you want to avoid:

• Parabens: They are used as a preservative and you will recognize them on the ingredient list as the following, methylparaben, propylparaben, ethylparaben, butylparaben, and benzylparaben.  They are cheap so manufacturers love them.  The problem is, in 1998, British researchers at Brunel University discovered that parabens mimic the female hormone estrogen. For men this means a possible increase in body fat and decrease in muscle mass.  For women, too much estrogen can put you at a higher risk for breast cancer. http://www.breastcancerfund.org/clear-science/radiation-chemicals-and-breast-cancer/parabens.html
• Oxybenzone: Found most commonly in the sport sunscreens and is an active ingredient. It can penetrate the skin, enter the bloodstream and acts like estrogen in the body.
• Retinyl palmitate: This is a form of vitamin A. Night creams with this chemical may help skin look more youthful. But on sun-exposed skin, retinyl palmitate may speed development of skin tumors and lesions, according to government studies.

Below is a list of 12 toxic and carcinogenic compounds found in common beauty and skin care products:

http://blog.naturalhealthyconcepts.com/wp-content/toxic-skin-infographic.png

EWG (Environmental Working Group) creates a sunscreen guide every year.  They examined 1,700 products this year and the products they deem safe are based on how effectively they can protect our skin from UVA and UVB rays, the ingredient list and the SPF #.  Click the link below to view their “Hall of Shame” list that includes 11 spray sunscreens, 12 lotions and 11 specific sunscreens for kids.  Please read!  Many of the products on these lists are the products most people buy because they’re inexpensive and convenient to buy.  Unfortunately, they could be doing more harm than good.

http://www.ewg.org/2015sunscreen/hall-of-shame/

Now, for their full list of 217 sunscreens they would recommend and why.  Below the link I have listed 9 of the least expensive products you can find on amazon and other local retailer stores.

http://www.ewg.org/2015sunscreen/best-sunscreens/best-beach-sport-sunscreens/

• Alba Botanica Very Emollient Mineral Sunscreen, Fragrance Free, SPF 30  ($2.32/ounce)
• Alba Botanica Very Emollient Mineral Sunscreen, Kids, SPF 30 ($2.65/ounce)
• derma e Antioxidant Natural Sunscreen, Body, SPF 30 ($2.82/ounce)
• Earth’s Best Mineral Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30 ($1.79/ounce)
• Goddess Garden Everyday Natural Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30 ($2.82/ounce)
• Jason Sun Mineral Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30 ($2.13/ounce)
• Safe Harbor Natural Suncare Sensitive Lotion Sunscreen, SPF 30 ($2.50/ounce)
• Tropical Sands All Natural Biodegradable Sunscreen, Coconut Scent, SPF 30 ($2.49/ounce)
• The Honest Company Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 ($2.33/ounce) – You can buy 2, 3oz bottles at Costco right now for $13.99 http://www.costco.com/The-Honest-Company-Honest-Sunscreen-Lotion-SPF-30-2-pack-3.0oz-.product.100157942.html

Personally, I have used the Tropical Sands All Natural Biodegradable Sunscreen, The Honest Company Sunscreen Lotion and the Kiss My Face sunscreen which is not listed above.  Kiss My Face SPF 30 lotion is free of parabens, oxybenzone, fragrance and is not tested on animals ($1.29/ounce).  The Tropical Sands sunscreen is great if you plan on being in the water all day – it definitely protects your skin but it does leave a bit of a white residue from the zinc.  My two favorite are The Honest Company lotion and the Kiss My Face lotion – both apply nicely without a residue and won’t leave you feeling greasy.

Below are sunscreen ‘How To’ tips according to the American Academy of Dermatology:

https://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/health-and-beauty/general-skin-care/sun-protection/how-to-apply-sunscreen

1. Choose sunscreen that has an SPF of 30 or higher, is water resistant, and provides broad-spectrum coverage, which means it protects you from UVA and UVB rays.
2. Apply sunscreen generously before going outdoors. It takes approximately 15 minutes for your skin to absorb the sunscreen and protect you. If you wait until you are in the sun to apply sunscreen, your skin is unprotected and can burn.
3. Use enough sunscreen. Most adults need at least one ounce of sunscreen, about the amount you can hold in your palm, to fully cover all exposed areas of your body. Rub the sunscreen thoroughly into your skin.
4. Apply sunscreen to all bare skin. Remember your neck, face, ears, tops of your feet and legs. For hard-to-reach areas like your back, ask someone to help you or use a spray sunscreen. If you have thinning hair, either apply sunscreen to your scalp or wear a wide-brimmed hat. To protect your lips, apply a lip balm with a SPF of at least 15.
5. Reapply sunscreen at least every two hours to remain protected, or immediately after swimming or excessively sweating.

I hope you plan lots of fun activities this summer – plan to protect your skin too :-)!

 

Yours in Health and Wellness,

Meredith