Sunny Days
Summer is in full swing and I’m absolutely loving the sun. I admit it, I’m a bit of a sun worshipper. Long gone are the days of Sun-In and Baby Oil, but I still love a good tan as much as the next girl. But more importantly, I just love being outside! I love feeling the breeze in my hair and the sun on my skin. What I don’t love, however, is the premature signs of aging and risk for sun cancer that can come along with it!
There are several things that are important when it comes to healthy skin and the sun. We all know about the importance of sunscreen, so lets start there. Using a broad spectrum sunscreen to filter UV rays is important, but do you really know what you are slathering all over your body? Think of your skin as a giant mouth: it absorbs whatever we put on it directly into the bloodstream. So the ingredients of our body products are sneaky important!
What do I look for in a good sunscreen? First, and most importantly, I want one that is mineral based and free from harmful chemicals. Most of the common and ‘big brand’ sunscreens have long and complicated ingredient lists. Chemicals such as oxybenzone, homosalate, octocrylene, parabens, and phthalates are a few of the top offenders. Chemicals like these are easily absorbed through the skin directly into the blood stream where they act as endocrine disruptors. This means they interfere with the function of important hormones within the body. This is no small thing! Hormones are in control of our metabolism, blood sugar regulation, monthly cycles and testosterone levels, sleep cycles, and so much more. According to and article from the Environmental Working Group (EWG), research has shown that many sunscreens here in the US contain levels 3-7 times above what has been found to be safe! Read the article for yourself here.
But fear not! There are plenty of great mineral sunscreen options that are formulated with safe ingredients and work exceptionally well. Look for sunscreens that use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the main protective ingredient. To make an even better choice, go for the fragrance-free option. (Did you know that the words ‘fragrance’ and ‘perfume’ are industry talk for ‘a bunch of synthetic stuff we don’t really want to tell you about’? It’s true!)
To make it even easier, the EWG has an extensive list of top rated, safe sunscreens. Access it here!
In addition to a high quality sunscreen, there are certain nutrients that have been shown to improve skin health and reduce the risk of certain skin cancers. Vitamin D is a vital nutrient for optimal health and is actually acquired from sun exposure. To this point, some sun exposure every day is very natural and healthy. Avoiding a sunBURN is what is important. Other nutrients such as zinc and vitamin A are also important for skin health. Additionally, antioxidants such as astaxanthin have been shown to reduce the risk of melanoma.
As with so many other diseases, the risk of developing skin cancer is multifactorial. Making lifestyle choices that prioritizes good health such as getting enough sleep, eating a whole foods diet, and reducing toxin exposure are what make the biggest impact. So, next time you reach for that sunscreen, pause for a moment and look at the label. Is it helping you live your best life?
