Importance of Sun Protection
May is now calling us with her abundant sunshine, bursting blooms and boundless beauty! The vibration of life beacons us outside more often and for longer periods of time so that we may recreate and communicate with the land and with others. While I am an advocate of getting plenty of sunshine for our vitamin D synthesis and for our soul, I also know it is damaging to our skin cells and not only causes more wrinkles and advanced aging but can cause skin cancer as well. Melanoma is a life threatening skin cancer and other invasive skin cancers are Basal Cell and Squamous Cell Carcinomas. Please get your annual skin check at a specialist called a Dermatologist and monitor your skin closely for any changes you may see. https://www.skincancer.org/ The human skin is the largest organ of the body and therefore everything you put on your skin will absorb systemically into your body. In fact, I frequently prescribe topical medicines and hormones to deliver systemic support to the cells so many of you already know the skin absorbs anything topical very well. Unfortunately most commercially available lotions, cosmetics and especially sunscreens have harmful chemicals that are known endocrine disruptors and can damage cells leading to cancer. Why are we slathering chemicals all over our bodies to protect against one risk factor, skin cancer but increasing other risk factors, hormonal cancers and more? According to studies the average woman puts on 168 of these harmful chemicals on her body per day and men on average 85! https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/2004/06/15/exposures-add-up-survey-results/#.WuiAhIUmCkE Until we can get regulation in banning these cancer causing agents, we must become informed consumers and do your best to be aware of these harmful chemicals and choose healthier options to protect ourselves. If you haven’t heard me discuss the Environmental Working Group also known as the EWG before, it is a great time to familiarize yourself with this resource. They are a 3rd part non-profit who have been around for 24 year and teach how to reduce household toxicity. There is a section called Skin Deep which is where you will find the information on healthy skin products options as well as sunscreen. For the purpose of this newsletter I am focusing on sunscreen and it’s toxicity and my desire for you to become informed and find healthy alternatives to the traditional chemical laden commercially available sunscreens. Check out this link for specifics on sun advise. However the entire EWG is a great resource for you and your family! https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/#.Wuho0YUmCkF My number one preference and recommendation for you regarding sunscreen is a locally made mineral based, non-toxic, organic, chemical free, coral reef safe sunscreen, Goddess Garden!
Why choose natural mineral sunscreen? Traditional sunscreens are a cocktail of unpronounceables like oxybenzone or oxtinoxate. They create a chemical reaction that absorbs, rather than reflects, the sun’s rays. That’s why you have to wait 20 minutes for them to work. They also break down faster in the sun. Synthetic chemicals can irritate your skin and cause allergic reactions and other health issues. Usually, if it’s not good for us, it’s not good for the earth either, and these chemicals are affecting the health of the planet—particularly the coral reefs. Mineral sunscreens, like Goddess Garden’s contain zinc and titanium. These are simply tiny rocks that work like mirrors to reflect the sun’s ray. They aren’t absorbed so they won’t irritate your skin or get in your bloodstream. They’re effective immediately and won’t break down in the sun. Best of all, you aren’t coating your body in chemicals! Goddess Garden is a certified-organic skincare company, created by a mother, Nova Covington where she began making all her family’s skincare in her kitchen in Colorado using all-natural, food-grade botanical ingredients that were effective and safe for her family. In addition to being a Certified B Corporation® and a WBENC-certified woman-owned business, Goddess Garden products are certified organic, biodegradable, reef safe, Leaping Bunny-certified cruelty free, vegan, non-nano and non-GMO. LEARN MORE HERE May I then offer you some guidance as this sun season steams up so you don’t come out looking older, have more cellular damage or worse yet a more toxic load from all of the chemicals they put in traditional sunscreen? Here are my Spring and Summer recommendations to stay healthy inside and out!
Get 15 min of unprotected sun daily to your arms and legs only for optimal Vitamin D and refrain from showering afterwards to allow for absorption (if you have a history of skin cancer or are extremely sensitive, avoid sun all together and monitor your Vitamin D levels appropriately)
Protect your face at all times and then cover up the rest of your body with an organic, non-toxic mineral based sunscreen
Try to avoid staying outside at peak hours 10am - 4pm
Wear UV protected sunglasses (kids too!)
Find shade when possible after your 15 min of exposure
Wear SPF clothing and hats if you are out for extended periods of time
Hydrate Hydrate Hydrate!
Tips for applying natural mineral sunscreen A good mineral sunscreen experience is part formulation, part application. Here are some tips for helping it rub in sheer:
Start with moisturized skin.
Goddess Garden’s sunscreen lotions contain nourishing ingredients your skin loves. If your skin is very dry, it can absorb the lotion faster than you can spread the minerals, resulting in a whitening effect.
Cover small areas of your skin at a time.
Because the lotion spreads the minerals, apply mineral sunscreen to small areas at a time so the lotion isn’t absorbed before you get it rubbed on. Applying too much in one place can result in the minerals layering up on your skin’s surface. An even application of mineral sunscreen will provide sheer, yet thorough protection.
If it’s white, you’re not finished.
Minerals aren’t absorbed into your skin or bloodstream, so if the minerals are not spread evenly and dry white on your skin’s surface, they’ll stay white.
Try the Facial Sunscreen.
If you have a darker skin tone, or if you’re still having trouble, you may want to try Goddess Garden’s Facial Sunscreen. It’s made with a unique polished zinc that creates fewer reflection points that contribute to the whitening effect. Minimizing reflections results in a sheerer look, while offering the same protection. While it’s a facial sunscreen, your arms and legs will love the extra benefits. (this is my typical preference and I usually use this over my entire body despite the added expense I feel it’s worth it!) You may find this sunscreen at most grocery stores, including but not limited to Natural Grocer, Whole Foods, Pharmaca and Walmart. Please share this information with your friends and loved ones so that we together may be advocates for a healthier self and environment. May you all get charged through this awakened season with energy, vitality and healthy glowing skin!
