Choose the Best Sunscreen to Protect You and Your Loved-Ones This Season

It shouldn’t take you all summer to find the best sunscreen. Although, after you’re informed, you will realize the “good ole’ days” of going to the store and simply picking the one on sale are over.

It may take a little more time to sift through ingredient labels on sunscreen products but the effort will be well worth it. Besides, once you find one you like, you can stick with it!

There is good reason people are looking for natural and organic sunscreens. Traditional sunscreen products are loaded with synthetic chemicals. There is growing concern about the impact on health in regard to some of these chemicals.

Furthermore, there has been much discussion about the misleading marketing of sunscreens. Your old “best sunscreen” may not be providing as much protection as you believed it to be.

However, it is of critical importance to protect your skin from the sun's damaging rays. UV radiation from the sun is a known carcinogen. We also know it can cause immune system disorders and prematurely age the skin. Therefore we need sufficient protection.

S.P.F. – Sun Protection Factor

According to the American Cancer Society we should be using a sunscreen with a minimum 15 SPF. However, the SPF rating only applies to UVB protection, which may keep your skin from burning. It does not factor in the protection if any, from harmful UVA rays. Both UVA and UVB rays can lead to skin cancer, premature aging and immune system disorders.

Beware of the misleading term, "Sunblock." There is nothing known to fully block out the rays from the sun. The best sunscreens are Full Spectrum products. Full spectrum lotions will protect skin from UVB and UVA rays. Unfortunately, because the SPF doesn’t pertain to the UVA rays there is usually no way of knowing how much UVA coverage you’re getting from them.

Be sure to generously apply your sunscreen products. A common mistake is not applying enough lotion to exposed skin.

Dangerous Chemicals Found in Sunscreen Products

When you are looking for your best sunscreen it is wise to avoid the following ingredients. Many of these are thought to be absorbed through the skin and unsafe. Some skin care experts claim they may also increase the risk for damaging skin tissue...
• PABA (para-amino-benzoic acid)
• Oxybenzone
• Benzophenone-3
• Homosalate
• Octyl-methoxycinnamate (OMC)

Key Ingredients - Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide

Your best sunscreen may contain one of the above key ingredients. They act as mechanical barriers as opposed to chemical barriers to the UV rays. They’ve been found to provide Full Spectrum protection. Probably greatest of all, they are not widely believed to be absorbed through the skin.

For more information on these ingredients, please visit the Environmental Working Group's Website.

Food For Thought

Eating a nutritious diet is the best thing for you and your skin. Certain foods will help to naturally protect your cells from the damaging rays of the sun. Reminder – these are not substitutes for using sunscreen products…
• Foods with Antioxidants A, E, C and Selenium – ex. Fruits, veggies, legumes, nuts, whole grains, Green Tea.
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids – from oily fish and certain nuts. Available in supplemental form.
• The compound Sulforaphane – found in Broccoli and shown to help protect against skin damage.
• Lycopene – found in red fruits and veggies. Ex. Tomatoes.
• Beta-Carotene – yellow, red and orange foods. Ex. Carrots.

Natural and Organic Sunscreen

There are a growing number of natural sunscreens on the market. As with any natural product label reading is still required. For instance, a product may be labeled as “Natural” because it contains Aloe Vera. However, it could still contain any of the previously mentioned harmful ingredients.

Doing a search on the internet for a natural or organic sunscreen is your best bet. There aren’t many but they do exist. A few health food retailers are starting to carry them as well.

Let There Be Light!

By keeping in mind the above information you will find your best sunscreen. By safely protecting your skin from the sun and from harmful chemicals, you can romp in the light of the wide world!

And who says, “You can’t have it all?”

Here’s to Your Health and Glowing Skin – Naturally!

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The claims about ingredients and products throughout this site have not been evalutated by the US Food and Drug Administration. They are not intended nor approved to treat, cure, diagnose or prevent disease. The content of this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute from your physician or health care provider.