Healthy Sunscreen
As the warmer months approach here on the west coast, something that we are all thinking about is healthy sun care or sunscreen.
Now you may ask what constitutes a healthy sunscreen? Well let’s start with the 2 ways you can protect your skin: with a mineral barrier or a chemical one.
Mineral sunscreens sit on top of the skin and create a physical barrier blocking both UVA and UVB rays. They basically break down the rays before they reach the skin. And according to research they have a low level of toxicity, or allergies. Chemical Sunscreens have a high toxicity rate because they penetrate the skin and can cause skin allergies and low sperm count. And chemical sunscreen can also contain the chemical Oxybenzone that not only mimics hormones in our bodies, but can also cause changes to our coral reefs such as: DNA damage, reef deformities and susceptibility to bleaching, according to the National Ocean Service.
Here are few of the questions that always plagued me whenever I was buying a sunscreen product: What does UVA, UVB and SPF stand for? What level of protection do I need? And can I get sun exposure indoors and on overcast days?
1) UVA stands for anti-aging and UVB stands for anti-burning. That is why you want a broad spectrum sunscreen because that will take care of both the UVA and UVB rays. SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and is the number that is printed on the sunscreen.
2) There seems to be a lot of confusion with regards to what level of SPF a person should use: The American Association of Dermatology: recommends using a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, which blocks 97 percent of the sun's UVB rays. Higher-number SPFs block slightly more of the sun's UVB rays, but no sunscreen can block 100 percent of them. It is also important to remember that high-number SPFs last the same amount of time as low-number SPFs. A high-number does not allow you to spend additional time outdoors without reapplication. Sunscreens should be reapplied approximately every two hours when outdoors, even on cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating, according to the directions on the bottle.
3) Please remember that you can get UVA and UVB rays indoors as well! Here is a link to the Skin Cancer Foundation article: UV Radiation A Danger Indoors and Out. Also even if the day is overcast, or foggy you are still being exposed to the sun’s rays.
Three products that I use almost interchangeably everyday are: Kari Gran Three Sixty Five SPF 28, Suntegrity mineral sunscreen in the shade Fair and Coola sunscreen in SPF 50
Kari Gran Three Sixty Five SPF 28 retails for $48.00 .This product is a physical, broad-spectrum, facial sunscreen designed to be used 365 days of the year. Made with naturally derived, organic, wild harvested and non-GMO ingredients this sunscreen is made to be worn both inside and out. This product comes in one color and has a milky white consistency. You can change the shade from white by adding it to Kari Gran’s mineral powder foundation which comes in a wide range of colors, and lets you create a foundation with SPF.
Suntegrity Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 retails for $55.00. A tinted sunscreen that goes on with a bit of sparkly light to it - to give more of a dewy finish - rather than the old fashioned matt look. Made with vitamin C & E this tinted sunscreen is free of: silicones, oils, parabens, phthalates and is vegan and (super important) reef friendly! This is more of a tinted sunscreen then a heavy foundation with sunscreen - so if you are looking for a natural dewy look go with this!
Coola SPF 50 retails for $36.00 . A spray on sunscreen that comes in fun scents like Guava and Pina Colada to give you a tropical vibe even when you are driving around town! Great on all parts that may be hit by the sun: think: neck, decollate, ears etc.!
Though I don’t personally use this product Black Girl Sunscreen Retail $19.00 is getting raves from women of color, for not leaving an ashy white residue on darker skin tones. For too long, women of color have had to live with a white tinge on their faces from sun screens that weren’t a good match for their skin tones, but now luckily there are choices!!
For more on healthy sun screens and the link between sunscreen and endocrine disrupters in the body along with endometriosis and low sperm count in men please check out the EWG.org website with loads of great information!
Helpful hint - keep some sunscreen in the car and apply to the back of your hands while driving (I use Coola to ward off age spots!) A don’t forget to protect your lips and eyes too!
