The Importance Of Sun Protection: How To Do It Right
By now, you know that you need to be aware of your time spent in the sun. The sun offers vitamin d and has been shown to lower levels of depression, especially seasonal depression. At the same time, it has been linked repeatedly with skin cancer, and too much sun can quickly lead to burnt skin that is sore and flaking and itchy, not to mention it seems to be associated with wrinkles in old age. The happy medium seems to involve spending time out of doors while keeping yourself protected from the sun. The following will explore some of the different sun protection options as well as point out some flaws with the traditional view on protecting our skin from sun damage.
The Big Caveat: Sunscreen
You’ve probably been told more times than you can count to rub sunscreen all over your body if you’re going to be out in the sun. This advice is good with the major caveat that not all sunscreens are equal; in fact, most are full of terrifying ingredients. The majority of sunscreens on the market today have toxic chemicals in them that get absorbed directly through your skin into your body quickly, meaning they can be found in your bloodstream later that day. An FDA-led study in 2020 found that these chemicals (including avobenzone, oxybenzone, octocrylene, homosalate, octisalate, and octinoxate) build up in your blood. Couple this with the scary realization that up to 75% of sunscreens don’t actually work, and you have a recipe for disaster. Beyond this, most sunscreens contain hormone-disrupting ingredients, which in turn negatively impact your weight, appetite, sleep patterns, mood, reproductive health, and ability to deal with stress. No one needs something else dragging their moods down. You might be increasing the levels of toxins in your blood to unsafe levels, sacrificing a good mood, and gaining nothing in return for this sacrifice.
Zinc-based sunscreen is where you want to begin your search, but it’s not where the search ends. Narrow down your options by avoiding anything containing:
- Homosalate
- Oxybenzone
- Octinoxate
- Avobenzone
- Retinyl Palmitate
- Octisalate
- Octocrylene
- Mexorul Sx
- Benzophenone
- PABA
- Ethoxycinnmate
Take a screenshot of this list to look at when shopping. Believe it or not, two of the above common sunscreen ingredients (homosalate and mexorul sx) react negatively to sunlight. Homosalate becomes unstable, and mexorul sx has been found to damage DNA when exposed to sunlight. Many of these ingredients are banned in some countries or states because of the mountain of research that has found them to be dangerous and toxic to humans and to water systems (people often wear sunscreen while swimming). To make matters scarier, most of them are found in human breast milk due to how easily they are absorbed by the body and their current overuse, meaning infants are being exposed to these toxins from the moment they are born.
It’s also a great idea to avoid the standard troublesome ingredients that can be found in skin products, including:
- Sulfates (including sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium Laureth sulfate)
- Fragrance (FYI, “scent-free” doesn’t mean fragrance-free, it means they put in extra fragrance to cover up the smell; if you or your child seems to be having allergic reactions to things marked scent-free, this could be the reason)
- Phthalates
- Parabens
- Triclosan (also terrifyingly found in most hand sanitizers)
- Toluene
- Formaldehyde
- propylene glycol
You also want to avoid any colors preceded by the letters F, D, or C (for example, D&C Red 27). Synthetic colors come from petroleum or coal tar (and yes, these are still put in food in America which is horrifying) and are linked to cancer and ADHD in kids.
This list can seem scary, but it is crucially important that you educate yourself on the poisons that are being handed out to children without a second thought. There are huge changes happening to human genetics and the hormonal balance of entire societies right now that are leading to completely unnecessary suffering.
Shade Is Your Friend
If you’re planning on being outside for a while, shade is what you want to work on. Retractable awnings give protection from the sun, as do canopies and umbrellas. Even a large tree can help out with providing shade if you’re keeping your eyes open.
Hats And Sunglasses
Sometimes you know you’re going to be out in the sun and moving about, so you need to pack light. Among the essentials you might want to bring along for an activity-based holiday or a bit of exploration, you need to think about a hat and pair of sunglasses. The top of your head, neck, ears, nose, and eyes are particularly vulnerable to the sun. Especially if you’re going to be in a climate where you’ll be sweating, nothing is going to better protect your face and neck than portable shade.
Body Covering
The caveat when discussing body covering is that this message isn’t intended to restrict you or anyone you know. Historically, suggestions for clothing have often been given with societal control and other darker motives involved. That’s not what this is. Quite simply, the best way to protect your skin from the sun is to cover it up. At first, this might seem brutal given the fact that we’re talking about the sun and, therefore, the heat, but it is worth noting that there are breezy, flowy clothing materials that protect your skin without baking you. The shoulders are especially vulnerable to the sun, and so for extended periods outside where you can’t guarantee you’ll have shade, covering them might help keep your skin safe and healthy.
The above breakdown should help you figure out which ways to protect yourself from the sun suit you and your lifestyle. Likely, you’ll draw different points from the list depending on which activities you’re doing and for how long. And if you’re going to be out in the sun for an extended period of time, be sure to keep yourself hydrated. Your body needs water to keep your mind clear and your mood level, and in the heat, it needs more than usual.
