Summer will be here soon, and it’s time to start thinking about sun protection. Participating in outdoor activities is good for your body and soul.. So, it’s only natural that when the weather is nice, the outdoors start calling to us to get more active. Getting outdoors will lift your mood and give you a healthy dose of Vitamin D. However, despite these benefits, it is important to use skin protection for whatever outdoor activities you love – whether that’s water sports, golfing, gardening, music festivals, camping, or hitting the trails.
With all the sunscreen options available, it may be difficult to tell what is good and what is bad for your skin. While natural homemade sunscreen may seem like the best idea to avoid harmful chemicals, you need to be cautious with this approach because you’re leaving the fate of your skin’s present and future health to unknown factors – like proper formulation, stability, and effectiveness.
While commercial chemical sunscreens can be effective at protecting your skin against some of the sun’s damaging rays, the truth is that chemical sunscreens contain several endocrine-disrupting chemical properties. These endocrine-disruptors will interfere and alter important and delicate processes, like your body’s hormone regulation systems. Also, the harsh chemicals they contain can lead to multiple health issues – including allergic reactions and skin problems.
The EWG rates sunscreen components based on their toxicity effect in the body and the environment. Each chemical or mineral component is given a hazard rating based on its skin penetration, hormone disruption, and rate of skin allergies. The most problematic chemical used in U.S. sunscreens, according to the EWG, is oxybenzone, a common ingredient in most commercial sunscreens. Beyond the damage to our bodies, these chemicals have deleterious effects on our environment. For example, both oxybenzone and octinoxate have been banned at many beaches to protect against the bleaching damage and death they cause coral reefs.
Natural sunscreens, on the other hand, are safer for the environment and provide a physical barrier that reflects the sun’s UV rays away from the skin without being absorbed by the body and disrupting delicate hormone processes. These natural mineral sunscreens are the types of sunscreen you’ll want to look for this season to protect your skin safely and effectively.
There are generally two types of sunscreen. The first type is chemical sunscreen – it protects by using chemicals such as oxybenzone, and other known endocrine-disrupting chemicals that are harmful even in small doses. These formulas absorb and react with UV rays to produce heat which causes inflammation, premature aging. Also, not all chemical sunscreens protect against both UVB and UVA rays, and some of these chemicals can block your skin’s ability to absorb Vitamin D.
The second type of sunscreen is mineral sunscreen – which is a physical barrier on the skin that reflects UV rays and contains natural minerals mined from the Earth, like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. These barrier protections sit on the skin and so they won’t disrupt your body’s natural systems. Mineral sunscreens are broad-spectrum – which means they will protect your skin against both UVB and AVA rays.
Natural mineral sunscreen is a physical barrier, so as soon as they are applied to your skin they start working. Whereas chemical sunscreens need to soak in for up to 30 minutes before they start to work. The minerals used in these sunscreens won’t soak in and disrupt your body but instead are beneficial for your skin. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are naturally anti-inflammatory, making them ideal for sensitive or breakout-prone skin. At The Spa Dr., we recommend using natural broadspectrum mineral sunscreens, such as My Chelle that goes on smoothly and protects your skin from UVA and UVB rays.
To protect your skin against IRA rays, you can choose a mineral sunscreen that has added antioxidants, but the concentrations are likely minimal, and you don’t want to skimp on antioxidant protection. I recommend you apply a serum or oil blend with a potent cocktail of antioxidants such as ubiquinone, vitamin E, and C to boost your skin’s capacity to counteract IRA free radical damage. The Spa Dr. Nourish and Enhance are both excellent sources of topical antioxidants you can combine with your sun care to protect your skin against IRA rays.
Oxidative stress may seem unavoidable, but with the right routine, you can protect and repair your skin. Start using antioxidant skincare, shield your skin from the sun, and embrace a healthier lifestyle to reveal a radiant, youthful glow.
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