6 Tips For Safer Sun Protection

Many of the sunscreens found on the market, not only shield us from necessary sun exposure, but are loaded with toxic chemicals that are known carcinogens and endocrine disrupters.

These chemicals like:

• oxybenzone

• octinoxate

• octisalate

• octocrylene

• homosalate

• and avobenzone

... absorb through the skin and can even penetrate breastmilk, blood and urine weeks after use.

The damaging effects of these chemicals and their byproducts can range from skin allergies, to hormone dysfunction (weight, moods, energy, etc.), to infertility, to cancer

… AND they can build over time as they are not easily detoxed from the body.

One study, published in the Journal of American Medical Association in 2019, showed that using sunscreen 4x/day for just 1 day showed plasma concentrations that exceeded the FDA's threshold- which are already higher than what is recommended in places like Europe.

So Do we really think a daily SPF is safe?

How To Take A More Holistic Approach To Sun Safety:

1. Eat more red and orange foods.

   • Lycopene in tomatoes and beta-carotene in orange veggies like carrots and yams are naturally sun protective. Pair with appropriate fats for conversion in the skin: tomatoes with olive oil and beta-carotene with pastured egg yolks or butter.

2. Expose your eyes to early morning light.

   • Waking up early and getting your eyes outside can expose the body to UVA rays necessary for increasing melanin and therefore better sun protection.

3. Reduce PUFA intake.

   • The body uses fatty acids as a protective cover for your skin. Hyper processed foods, PUFA’s like those found in nuts + nut butters and hydrogenated oils (like Canola oil) oxidize with heat and light exposure. If your diet consists of a lot of these, you may be more at risk for cellular damage.

4. Use the D-Minder App to get regular exposure at most optimal times.

   • This handy app will take into account your location, skin tone, and other factors to determine the best times for optimal safe sun exposure and Vitamin D absorption. Download it HERE.

5. Cover up or stay in shade with prolonged exposure.

   • Sun hats, shade and long clothing can be great substitutes for sunscreen.

6. Use better sunscreen when needed.

   1. Avoid aerosol (spray) sunscreens

   2. No SPF's over 50

   3. Look for zinc oxide as key ingredient

   4. EWG recommended brands for whole family : EWG's Guide to Safer Sunscreens (Level 1-2. Look for the little green numbered bubble.)

   It’s important to remember that a holistic approach won’t immediately make you immune to the potentially harmful effects of the sun’s rays, but overtime, it will transform your body’s reaction to sun exposure.

Want to make your own?

Check out this recipe from Weston A. Price Foundation.

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