*sings* The sun has got his hat on, hip hip hip hooray!
Have you? Got your hat on, that is?
I know *rolls eyes* …there’s all that stuff about slapping on sunscreen and wearing a hat to avoid skin cancers. You’ve heard it ALL before. Or have you?
Just HOW savvy are you on sunshine and how to stay safe in the sun?
Here’s the lowdown on natural skin protection …AND I’m going to start with some CONTROVERSY! Read on …
Go Outside With No Sunscreen (BRIEFLY)
Say what? You thought this was a piece about natural sun protection!
YES, I really mean that. NO sunscreen …briefly. It’s good for hormones.
Yup. Vitamin D is a hormone, not a vitamin. We know that now. There is so much more to learn about this hormone and there is much more research going into it now.
We do know that sources of Vitamin D in food – fatty fish, fish liver oils and some in eggs, cheese and ox liver – aren’t enough to keep our levels topped up.
The main source is sunshine. Our skin makes Vitamin D when it’s exposed to sunshine.
So, whats a girl to do?
Experts recommend going out, exposing one third of your body (easy tiger!) to sunshine for about 10 minutes without sunscreen. BUT avoid the hottest parts of the day 11am-3pm.
Then put on your sunscreen to protect your skin.
For children, you should reduce the sun exposure time down to a few minutes. It’s not recommended that small babies are exposed to strong sunlight. If in doubt, ask your doctor or take a look at the UK NHS guidance.
Don’t stay out in the sun too long. Never allow your sun to get red and burn – you’re damaging it.
Choose Safer Sunscreen
For the past few years, I’ve been searching for a sunscreen that provides natural sun protection and isn’t full of toxic nasties or hormone disruptors.
I just read yet another article which recommended avoiding oxybenzone (hormone disruptor) and octocrylene and avobenzone (linked to allergy) and also homosalate (hormone disruptor).
Look out for harmful parabens, phthalates and artificial fragrance too.
Safer choices contain minerals zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Check out the back of the bottles you have lurking in the cupboards, ladies.
I’ve ordered some g-o-r-g-e-o-u-s sun care products from my fave Neals Yard Remedies. * Squeeeee.
Apply Your Sunscreen Properly
I know some of you will think I’m teaching my Granny to suck eggs, but if it helps one person it’ll be worth the rest of my lovely readers rolling their eyes and sighing… loudly.
Wear Sunglasses
Sunglasses are not just a fashion accessory. Although there are some pretty cools ones, huh?
They protect your delicate peepers from the fierce rays of the sun. If you don’t wear sunglasses, you’re putting yourself at higher risk of eye damage.
Eat To Boost Skin’s Natural Defences
I mean eat lots of veggies and fruit. They are full of antioxidants to help protect from sun exposure and other modern life risks.
Veggies and fruits that are yellow, orange and red in colour are particularly helpful.
Be Prepared
Be like the Girl Scout and be prepared. Think natural sun protection.
Make sure you take suitable clothes to cover up during the hottest part of the day, which might include a jaunty hat?
Take plenty of water (avoiding BPA plastic bottles which are hormone harmers) to keep you hydrated.
Oh and a book to relax and unwind…don’t forget the good book.
Enjoy the sunshine.
Love,
*P.S. Article contains affiliate link.
Great advice, Kathy – as always. I’d just add one thing. Just wearing any old sunglasses could do more harm than good. One of my crewmates is an optician (very eminent one, as it happens) and she lectures us endlessly on the dangers of cheap, crappy sunglasses. They can CAUSE glaucoma, as they make our eyes widen without protecting them. You have to make sure your sunglasses offer proper protection. And unfortunately (really fancy brands aside, where you’re paying for the name) you get what you pay for.
Just thought I’d mention it as I didn’t really know this until I had it drummed into me!
Patricia x
Thanks Patricia – great point, well made. Thank you x