Summer is here and if you're anything like me, you've been waiting impatiently through the cold winter months for the time when you can finally head off to the beach, dip your toes into the water and soak up all those summer rays full of Vitamin D.
We all know the sun can be very dangerous, though, and it's important to always practice safety while we are outside during the hottest months of the year. It’s no secret that prolonged exposure to UV rays leads to sunburn and increases the risk of skin cancer, but did you know that many sunscreens contain chemical ingredients that may have adverse health effects for you and your little one?
These ingredients can cause skin irritations, allergic reactions and have the potential to disrupt our hormones. They have been detected on the skin and in the blood weeks after they have been used which means our body has a problem detoxing them. Studies have reported finding sunscreen ingredients in breast milk, urine and blood plasma samples. And it’s possible for sunscreen users to inhale ingredients in sunscreen sprays and ingest some of the ingredients they apply to their lips.
UVA vs UVB
There are 2 types of rays that come from the sun:
UVA rays which age and damage your skin and are the culprits of causing skin cancer.
UVB rays which are the rays that burn your skin.
The problem with chemical sunscreens is that they only protect you from the UVB rays, so although you may be able to stay in the sun for hours at a time without getting sunburnt, the damaging UVA rays are still able to penetrate your skin.
Zinc Oxide
Zinc Oxide is a mineral that is found in most natural sunscreens and offers broad spectrum protection, meaning it protects our skin from both the UVA and UVB rays from the sun. Zinc Oxide is classified as both safe and effective in sunscreens. If you have used natural sunscreens before you will probably have noticed that the zinc oxide leaves your skin looking white, and while this may not be the prettiest addition to your summer skin protection, it is certainly a better option than the potential risks that chemical sunscreens come with. And as I always like to say: "Better white like a ghost than red like a tomato."
Sun Safety Tips
Although sunscreen offers some protection from the sun, it should not be the only thing we are using while outside. Here are some handy tips to remember while enjoying the beautiful summer sunshine:
1. Limit your time in the sun between the hours of 11am and 3pm when the sun is the most dangerous.
2. Always wear a hat to protect your face.
3. Wear a rash vest or t-shirt to protect your shoulders.
4. If you spend a lot of the day outdoors, take regular breaks in the shade.
I hope this information helps you this summer. If you are looking for a natural sunscreen I have one available on my website here. If, unfortunately, you managed to get a little sunburnt then our healing salve is the perfect remedy to help soothe, calm and heal your skin.
Happy summer!