Getting a little sunshine –just 10 to 20 minutes a day — helps our bodies generate much-needed Vitamin D, but as everyone knows, too much sun exposure can cause sunburn and lead to premature aging and skin cancer.
What Causes Sunburn?
Sunburn is caused by Ultraviolet B (UVB) rays, which are partially absorbed by the ozone layer and don’t penetrate deep into the skin. However, 90 percent of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation is in the form of Ultraviolet A (UVA) rays, which are not absorbed by the ozone layer and penetrate deep into our skin. Both types can cause skin cancer, but it’s the UVA rays that are to blame for premature aging, sun spots and other cosmetic damage.
In 1972, SPF-labeled sunscreen was introduced in the U.S., good news for sun worshipping Americans. What most bathing beauties don’t know is that SPF measures only UVB protection, leaving you vulnerable to skin damage from the more prevalent UVA rays.
The Dark Side of Sunscreen
In an effort to understand the danger that chemical sunscreens present, the Environmental Working Group compiled research from almost 400 scientific studies containing data from more than 50 government, academic and industry databases. They tested 831 sunscreen products, and discovered that more than 84 percent of those products contain high amounts of padimate-0 and avobenzone, chemicals which cause DNA damage when exposed to sunlight.
Safe Sun Block
Luckily, there are options available and, like everything, we find them by looking to nature. Sun block products that contain zinc oxide and titanium dioxide offer natural full-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays without the added danger posed by chemical sunscreens. These products, sometimes called physical sun block –work by deflecting the sun’s rays away from the skin versus chemical sunscreen, which absorb the sun’s rays to protect skin.
Furthermore, when we wear chemical sunscreens on the beach, the products are absorbed into the water and poison marine life. According to National Geographic News, researchers from the Polytechnic University of Marche in Italy tested several popular sunscreen brands for reef and marine safety. All had four synthetic ingredients in common — paraben, cinnamate, benzophenone, and a camphor derivative — and all were found to significantly contribute to coral bleaching.
Safer choices are those with physical sun blockers and natural ingredients:
Aubrey Organics Natural Sun Care
Raw Elements USA All Natural ECO FORMULA SPF 30+ UVA/UVB True Broad Spectrum Sunscreen
Eco Logical Skin Care Body Sunscreen
Just a few tips about reading labels:
- Biodegradable does not mean marine/reef safe
- Organic does not mean chemical-free
- Some products contain both natural and chemical sun blockers, try and stick to pure natural for your health and the health of our environment.
These are just a few great products to get you started. Let us know what other products are good choices. Talk to us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
Sun bathe safely!