Summer is all about getting outside and enjoying what the world has to offer; A time to soak in those beautiful rays of sunshine while basking in all their Vitamin D-rich glory! BUT… it is so very important to remember to protect our skin while enjoying the sun.
Sunscreen has become a bit of a controversial subject as more and more studies are completed. Sunscreen is a complete necessity, especially in the summer, but it is important to find a sunscreen that both protects us from the harmful UV rays and doesn’t put added chemicals into our bodies or the environment around us.
Here are some tips that we abide by when deciding what sunscreen to slather on!
Avoid the sprays
Although sunscreen sprays are way more convenient than lotions, stay away if possible! First off, an airtight metal canister filled with chemicals and closed with a plastic cap is not exactly recycle friendly. Second, the mist that is released when the spray is applied is usually rich with chemicals that float through the air and are then absorbed into all of our lung tissues. Harming the environment, harming yourself, and harming others.
Fragrance free
Lots of sunscreens have added fragrances that make the scent a bit more appealing. In the long run, adding fragrance is just adding unnecessary chemicals to the concoction. If you can, opt for a fragrance free block that will help alleviate skin irritation and allergies. Plus the smell of the great outdoors is another great perk of summer!
More moisture
When you’re slathering substances on your body, it is nice to be sure it is helping you out in more ways than one. When possible, choose a lotion based sunscreen that helps protect you from the sun’s rays and helps your skin stay moisturized while you are outside. Look for sunscreens that include extra virgin olive oil, jojoba oil, cocoa butter or shea butter to add the extra moisturizing factor.
Make sure it’s water resistant
Sometimes we purchase sunscreens that aren’t water resistant without even realizing it. Make sure you double check the bottle before you head to the check stand! The majority of the time we use sunscreen when we are at the beach, pool, or some other body of water. It’s important to make sure your sunscreen won’t wash off as soon as you take a plunge into the water.
Go for the minerals
Mineral based blocks are a great option when it comes to choosing a sunscreen. Mineral based sunscreens have active ingredients including zinc oxide and titanium dioxide that help block both UVA and UVB rays and they don’t penetrate the skin. Not only do they not include all those nasty chemicals, they tend to last longer than conventional chemical based sunscreens and are known to be less irritating to the skin.
Nontoxic is the way to go
Almost all common sunscreens include a plethora of chemicals that are doing our bodies no good! EWG suggests two main chemicals to avoid: retinyl palmitate & oxybenzone. Retinyl palmitate is a form of vitamin A that is supposed to have anti-aging effects. However, on sun-exposed skin, retinyl palmitate may speed development of skin tumors and lesions. Oxybenzone on the other hand, can penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream and trigger allergic reactions and other health concerns.
LOVE THE LOTION
Find a sunscreen that suits all your needs and then remember to put it on! Sunscreen doesn’t protect you unless you REMEMBER TO WEAR IT. Protecting your skin is so worth the extra trip to the store or the added two minutes to your wait time!
Check out EWG Sunscreens to find the perfect sunscreen for your needs!
Sources:
http://online.wsj.com/
http://foodbabe.com/2013/05/
http://www.goodhousekeeping.
