Sunshine is FINALLY starting to peek through the Pittsburgh sky! Hooray! But that also means that everyone is rushing to the store to purchase their sunscreens and sunblocks.. how do you know what to choose?
Here are some cliff notes about the sun, Vitamin D, safer sun protection & what I choose for myself and my family.
Note: I had to get this together in a SHORT 12-month old nap (why does she suddenly hate naps again?! sigh!) so this is truly a cliff note version!
Here's a quick video as well (but skim the notes too, of course, I forgot to mention some cool details in the vid!)
Vitamin D
Sunlight is our bodies BEST way of getting/making Vitamin D (90% comes from the sun).
How much sunlight you need varies by your skin type, where you live, angle of the sun, time of the year, time of the day, etc. -- My best advice, go out with naked skin until you think you are getting pink - then apply that sun protection!
WHY do we need Vitamin D?
Bone & Teeth health (need Vitamin D to absorb Calcium)
Immune Health
Hormone Health
We did an episode about this topic for The Ladies Dish a while back (Episode #31) -- we need to update it with the new research, but this is a great starting place! You can listen here.
Sun's Rays
UVA = anti-aging rays by causing free radical damage. Hard to tell how much exposure of UVA rays because you don't have a physical sign (like burning). We are exposed to these rays all seasons, weather, etc.
UVB = burning rays! The Skin Cancer Foundation notes that on average, five sunburns at any age doubles one’s risk for melanoma.
**Blue Light = damage skin proteins & lipids causing signs of aging through wrinkles, less elasticity & hyperpigmentation.
This is newer research! There is an article in Vogue magazine about this topic right now.
Blight light is EVERYWHERE. We hear about it a lot with technology, but it's also what makes the sky look blue!
Sun Protection
Look for a Broad Spectrum sun block = UVA + UVB. Even better to also block against blue light!
SPF 15 = 93% of UVB rays
SPF 20 = 97% of UVB rays
SPF 50 = 98% of UVB rays
No such thing as waterproof sunblock, only water resistent. MUST reapply if you are out for long periods of time.
Sunscreen Technology & What to Avoid
GO HAWAII!! Legislation passed the Hawaii State House and Senate to prohibit the sale of over-the-counter sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate - two ingredietns linked to hormone distruption and harming coral reefs!Ingredients to Avoid:
Para amino benzoic acid
Octyl salicyclate
Oxybenzone (hormone disruptor
Octinoxate
Cinoxate
Dioxybenzone
Phenylbenzimidazole
Homosalate
Menthyl anthranilate
Octocrylene
Methoxycinnamate
Parabens (xenoestrogens - mimic estrogen)
What I Choose
I've been using Beautycounter's sun protection line on my family and our daughter successfully for 2+ years now. IT is safe for babies (a FAQ I get a lot on social media!)
Super excited to announce the COUNTERSUN line - all SPF 30
Blocks UVA, UVB, and BLUE LIGHT!
Non-nano zinc oxide = mineral/physical barrier
California Poppy = blue light blocking! Orange blocks blue, so awesome!
We have a face stick, lotion, and a mist spray bottle!
Mist sprays on white to help with application (but rubs in clear!)
I demo this towards the end of the video above.
Countersun was also featured on the Today Show! Check out the segment here.
Interested in checking out more about Beautycounter's sunscreens? Click here.
Want to sample before you purchase? Email me and let's chat, especially if you are interested in learning about other products for your skin type! :)
