Summer is here; are you ready to go to the beach and get a suntan to feel and look fabulous?  Before you do, don’t forget that there is no such thing as a safe tan, and before you think there is a totally safe sunscreen for sun protection from sunburn, consider that numerous studies show that there is as well no such thing as a best sunscreen lotion.

You might think that sunscreens prevent skin cancer. Well, they can protect against sunburn and reduce sun damage to skin, but as for protection against sun induced cancer … the connection between sunscreen and cancer may not be what you would expect.

 Everything we eat goes to our bloodstream, everything we apply to our skin is also absorbed into our bloodstream. Have you noticed how many chemicals are included in the list of sunscreen ingredients? Studies show that the longer sunscreen lotion and creams are left on the skin, the more they will be absorbed into the body. A super simple detox may help, but why not try some healthy tips and natural sunburn remedies to protect your skin from sun damage.

Natural Beauty Remedies to Protect Your Skin From Sun Damage

1. When looking for sunscreen products, look for better and healthier uv natural sunscreen alternatives. Two nontoxic solutions are the sun blocking minerals zinc oxide (studies show that only sunblock clothing and zinc oxide sunblock totally block UVB and UVA rays) and titanium dioxide; they are supposed to ingredients in sunscreeen that are safer to use. Also investigate UVA sunscreen products with micronized zinc oxide as the only active ingredient as sunscreen protection to reduce sun damage of face and skin.

Check the Cosmetic Safety Database on my References Page

2. Don’t use skin-care products that contain citrus essential oils, especially bergamot (Citrus bergamia). They might increase the skin’s sensitivity to light and cause skin discoloration or rashes.

3. We can use our kitchen oils such as Sesame Oil, Coconut Oil, Olive and Peanut oils as well as rich in cinnamic acid, Walnut Oil, Raspberry Oil, Avocado Oil, Pomegranate Oil, Jojoba Oil, Pumpkin Seed Oil, Aloe Vera Oil, Coffee Butter, Shea Butter. They all provide uv natural sunscreen protection from the sun. You can find many uva sunscreen products that incorporate many of these oils and butters.

4. Don’t eat carrots, celery, parsley, parsnips and limes before you go to the beach. Studies show that these vegetables contain psoralens, chemicals that may make you unusually sensitive to the sun.

5. Incorporate more lycopene rich foods, such as cooked tomatoes, apricots, papaya, pink grapefruit, watermelon into your diet to block UV damaging rays.

6. Apply a thin coat of yogurt, sour cream, kefir or aloe-vera gel to reddened areas to help reduce inflammation and cool and moisturize your skin if you get sunburned.

7. Don’t take your babies to the beach! Your child or baby sun protection motto should be “no sun.”  Why take the risk!

Studies show that even if you use a sunscreen and don’t get burned, there is may still be enough ultraviolet light that does get through to suppress your immune system.

Choose the right sunscreen product by using common sense and exploring your options – the one that offers least harm is the best.

As for me, I don’t use sunscreens because I try to stay out of sun from 11:00 am till 4:00 pm and I wear sun protection hats and try to be in the shade as much as possible. And don’t forget that baby sun sunscreeen protection is also important to think about. When my son was old enough, we would go to the beach only in the early morning so not to be in the direct summer sun.  Also, people don’t realize that even if they use sunscreen at the beach, they still need to worry about  over-exposure to the sun in other situations - everything in moderation is the best policy.

So let us be sun smart this summer, shall we?

P.S. Don’t forget to listen to my radio show for women “Feel and Look Fabulous with Irina“ for more healthy tips and ideas on how to feel and look fabulous this summer.

Breathe, smile and be happy.

© Irina Wardas, HHC

Women’s Holistic Health, Nutrition and Relationship Counselor and Coach