Today we’re going to look at some healthy ways to protect your skin as you get outside to enjoy yourself and nature. But real quick, I want to remind you that my free webinar is this afternoon (Tools to Thrive During COVID & Beyond–see the details on the right under “upcoming events”).



You may not even think twice before lathering up with sunscreen, but I want to share some info with you that is important for your skin health and overall health.

Sunscreen is a body care product applied on the skin to protect it from damage brought by the UV rays of the sun. It is also classified as an over-the-counter (OTC) drug by the FDA because it does the following:

1. Reduce the risk of developing cancer
2. Prevent sunburn
3. Decrease signs of aging

 There are two types of sunscreen: Chemical and physical.
Chemical sunscreen absorbs UV rays while the physical or mineral sunscreen blocks UV rays.
 
While sunscreen is widely used for sun protection, issues have risen in recent years surrounding the safety of its ingredients.
 
Because sunscreen is supposed to be applied on the skin as often as you are exposed to the sun, its ingredients shouldn’t be harmful to your tissues (you may have heard this before “If you can’t eat it, it doesn’t belong on your skin”). 
 
Sunscreens may contain penetration enhancers and other toxic chemicals that can disrupt your hormones or even increase your risk of developing related disorders. Also, when you apply a sunscreen spray, it is possible to accidentally inhale it, which can damage your lungs (easy tip there: hold your breath!).

To help you stay safer, I have compiled some healthy alternatives to protect you from both the harm of the sun and of unhealthy sunscreens.

1. Wear protective clothing – After basking under the sun for 15-20 minutes, cover up. Clothes are the best sunblock because they cover your skin and absorb or reflect sunlight.
2. Seek shade – The sun is at its harshest from 10am to 2pm, so if you can mostly avoid the sun during that time, it is best for your skin. After all, you only need 10-30 minutes of the midday sun every day to help your skin produce vitamin D.
3. Eat healthy – Here’s a little secret to achieve getting a tan while minimizing the risk of getting burned: eat foods high in carotenoids! Since carotenoids are plant pigments, you can find it in fruits and vegetables that have bright red, yellow, and orange hues, such as carrots, squash, apricots, and grapefruit. Antioxidants also help your skin fight any damage, including sun damage. Here’s a list of high antioxidant foods.
4. Use seed-oil sunscreens – Just like other types of sunscreen, not all seed-oil sunscreen is created equal. What I recommend the best is the red raspberry oil, which provides natural SPF of 28 to 50 and offers protection for both UVA and UVB rays. Aside from sun protection, red raspberry oil has also other benefits for the skin that are great for eczema and other skin disorders.
5. Use natural sunscreens – There are also products in the market that are made from natural ingredients. Make sure to check the ingredients to avoid harmful ingredients and use the most recent EWG Safe Sunscreen List to easily choose the best sunscreens for your needs.

 It is my passion to work with people like you whose health symptoms are getting in the way of you living life fully and with a sense of freedom in your body. I can help you to regain your health so you can feel great and free to enjoy life fully.
 
If you’re ready to discover where your best health has been hiding, I’d love to connect with you!
Apply for a complimentary Unstoppable Health Discovery Session. http://bit.ly/schedulinghealth (subject to availability).

Until next time, I’m wishing you unstoppable health!~Rebecca