Summer is officially here and after a long, hard winter of isolation and uncertainty, who isn’t excited to hit the beach, enjoy a cold beer on your favourite patio, and spend time outdoors with friends and family.  I’m also loving the burst of colour in my flower garden, cycling, and being barefoot!  

Sunscreen is as much a part of summer as iced tea and flip flops, but did you know that the type of sunscreen you use matters?  You want to ensure it has safe ingredients and that it protects you from UVA and UVB rays.  

I’ve never given serious thought to the type of sunscreen I used until I had a facial last December by a very qualified esthetician and took her astute advice.  In the past, I purchased the most inexpensive bottle I could find, never reviewed the ingredients and only used it to go to the beach or on a long bike ride or hike.  She advised me to pay attention to what I was putting on my skin and to wear sunscreen every day, all year round.  Thankfully, I’m much wiser and now only use natural sunscreen and use it every day.

What are UVA and UVB rays?

Sunlight contains ultraviolet radiation (UV), which consists of UVA and UVB rays that impact your skin differently.  

UVA rays penetrate the top layer of our skin and are responsible for wrinkles, sun spots, and sagging skin.  These rays can penetrate clouds, house and car windows and even some fabrics.  This ray is not associated with sunburn but is linked to an increase risk of skin cancer.  

UVB rays impact the top layer of your skin and are considered the major cause of skin cancer and responsible for sunburns.  These rays are at their strongest from 10 am – 4 pm during the summer months.  

Scrutinize the Ingredients in your Sunscreen Bottle!

(if your eyesight is anything like mine, you will need a magnifying glass in order to read the ingredient list)

1. Sun Protection Factor (SPF) is how long your skin will be protected from UVB rays.  For example, if your skin tends to burn after 10 minutes of exposure to the sun, a sunscreen with an SPF factor of 15 will protect your skin 15 times (150 minutes) before your skin will burn.  Higher SPF is not always better (read more here) 

2. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen which has both UVA and UVB protection.

3. Mineral sunscreens offer better protection.

4. Avoid sunscreens that contain Vitamin A (retinyl palmitate or retinal) 

5. Confirm that Oxybenzone is not listed as an ingredient as it is highly toxic and is found in 65 percent of non-mineral sunscreens.  

6. Lotion sunscreen are best because sprays and powders offer inconsistent coverage.   

There are 100’s of natural sunscreens.  Check out the EWG’s comprehensive list I use The Green Beaver Sunscreen (Canadian company) https://greenbeaver.com/en

Tips:

·       Avoid the sun during peak hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Water, snow, sand and concrete reflect light and increase the risk of sunburn.

·       Wear sun-protective clothing. This includes pants, shirts with long sleeves, sunglasses and hats.

·       Use natural sunscreen. Look for water-resistant, broad-spectrum coverage with an SPF of at least 30. Apply sunscreen generously, and reapply every two hours — or more often if you're swimming or sweating.  Always have sunscreen in your purse/bag, and glove compartment of the car.  

·       Some sun exposure without sunscreen is good.  According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 5-15 minutes a few times a week is sufficient to maintain healthy vitamin D levels. Vitamin D is an essential hormone that I will discuss in more detail in next week’s blog.  

I used to downplay the seriousness of melanoma and thought it was a simple mole that a dermatologist could easily remove.  We all now know how serious and even fatal melanoma can be, so please take your exposure to the sun seriously and be your own health advocate by ensuring that what you use for sunscreen is not only effective but healthy.  Add sunscreen to your daily health routine, like brushing your teeth, and wear it every day, all year round.  

Enjoy this glorious weather and have a fabulous long and safe summer.  

Anita 

Resources:

1. The Environmental Working Group  https://www.ewg.org

   
   

   DISCLAIMER; The information provided on County Yoga Loft’s website blog is for general health care informational purposes only. All information on the site is provided in good faith. However, it should not replace consultation or advice from a physician and/or other healthcare practitioners. The use or reliance of any information contained on this site is solely at your own risk.