How To Choose the Best Sunscreen

Sunscreen is quite effective in protecting the skin against the sun’s harmful UV rays when the proper SPF is used. Yet we see more and more sun damage and skin cancer mainly attributed to a lack of protection in early years of life. That is why it is very important to use sunscreen from the beginning.  It can be confusing because consumers have a such a choice between sun skin care – traditional sunscreen, organic sunscreen, natural sunblock that use all natural ingredients, and even sunless tanning lotions with SPF protection. Any time we hear the words “all natural,” we know that it is good for us. However, we also realize that there must be a reason why some of the same types of products do not contain all natural ingredients. Is it because they are better or because they are more cost-effective for the manufacturer to make? We have to take into consideration that there was a time in which our ancestors only had natural means to treat and prevent disease. Somewhere along the line we found more cost-effective ways to make products by creating man-made chemicals that got the job done. This happened with sunscreen.

People love to sunbathe and with the continuing reports that the sun is becoming more and more dangerous, the sunscreen market is booming. More people are protecting their children and themselves from the harmful rays that can cause skin cancer. No one wants to think of their children having to contend with such an awful disease, no matter how minor it may be if caught on time. But we love to go to the beach and we love to swim in our pools, so we have to take care of our skin in the process.

The truth is that you shouldn’t really have any more than 15 minutes of sun exposure each day in order to receive the necessary amount of Vitamin D. Any more than 15 minutes is what causes damage, so you need to use a sunscreen. A good organic sunscreen is going to be just as effective as a regular sunscreen and without any of the man-made ingredients. All of the ingredients are all natural, which means they are derived from plants. In other words, the ingredients are extracted from the wonders of nature that actually work.

The main difference between an organic sunblock and a regular sunblock aside from their ingredients is that organic sunblock will break down over time. However, if used consistently over the summer months, that shouldn’t matter because you’ll easily be able to use a majority of what is in the bottle if not all of it. However, when you look at the bottle of a regular sunscreen, you will notice that there are both organic and inorganic ingredients, so eventually regular sunscreen has to be disposed of anyway.

So if you want to spend more than 15 minutes in the sun, be sure to invest in a good organic sunscreen and apply it to all skin areas that are exposed to the sunlight. That way, you can still receive the benefits of the sun while protecting your skin from the harmful UV rays. You are also not putting inorganic ingredients on your skin. Everything that is inside a bottle of organic sunscreen is just as natural as you are.

Daily Protection From Sun Exposure

Some experts claim over half of sun damage occurs during our every day activities – walking to the car, going in and out of buildings, walking along the street shopping, and so on – not while we’re sunbathing. Unfortunately, this means we should to wear sunscreen just about every time we leave the house. Most sunscreens are fairly toxic and organic sun care is blooming. More products are becoming available that are organic, natural and eliminate harmful toxins. This is great news for all of us especially our younger ones and babies.

Remeber organic sunblock is only one step you can take to protect yourself from the sun. Covering up can be just as important as the type of skin care or sun care product you use. The clothes we would prefer on a warm summer day – lightweight, light-colored clothing made with loosely-woven fabric – do not offer much protection. That’s why kids who swim with T-shirts over their bathing suit still get burned.

To completely block UV rays you need clothing with a ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of about 1700. A white T-shirt has a UPF of seven. The same T-shirt in green has a UPF of 10. A dark, thick fabric like velvet comes in at about 50. To reach 1700 you’d need a long-sleeved dark denim shirt. Not exactly anyone’s idea of fun in the sun.

The long and short of it is that while we may be willing and able to cover up with high UPF clothing in some circumstances, there’s no way that’s going to fly at the beach. So, you’re going to have to resort to sunscreen, and, to be safe, you’re going to need a skin care product that protects you from the suncreen’s dangerous chemical ingredients.

How do you do that? Your first line of defense is natural sunscreen – check your local health food store. However, not all these products are completely toxic free so you’ll still some additional protection. Your best bet for that is a shielding lotion: A good shielding lotion bonds with the outer layer of the skin to form a new protective layer that keeps out chemicals. It also locks in natural moisture – another thing you have to be concerned with when you’re out in the sun: sunburn equals dehydration.

Summer sun care can be complex but remeber its sunlight is good. Try to use organic sunscreen, appropriate clothing, and a natural after sun lotion. These natural skin care products can help you enjoy your summer without concern for your health.

Treating your Baby for Sunburn

Understanding your baby’s skin and the sun can help you prevent a sunburn. First its important to note the best treatment is prevention. A sunburn is the result of overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation. A baby’s skin is very thin and delicate, so despite your best precautions, a sunburn can happen – and it may take only ten to 15 minutes of exposure to cause one. Your baby can even get burned on a cloudy or cool day because it’s not the visible light or the heat from the sun that burns but the invisible UV radiation. Sunburns can be painful and can also cause more serious problems such as dehydration and fever.If you suspect your baby might have been overexposed to the sun, you may not notice a sunburn immediately. The redness and pain of a mild first-degree burn can take several hours to appear. A more severe second-degree sunburn can cause red, tender, swollen, or blistered skin that’s hot to the touch. It’s extremely unlikely that a baby would get a third-degree burn – the worst kind – from sun exposure. If you see blisters contact your pediatrician.

If the sunburn is mild, soak a cloth diaper or clean washcloth in cool water, wring it out, and gently place it on the sunburned area for ten to 15 minutes a few times a day (make sure your child doesn’t get chilled). You could also bathe your baby in a mixture of cool water and baking soda to help cool the skin and reduce redness. Follow either treatment with a gentle application of water-based moisturizer. Also, give your baby plenty of fluids – breast milk, formula, or, for an older baby, water – to prevent dehydration.

For more sever cases consult a doctor. The doctor may prescribe topical steroid ointments or creams, an infant non-aspirin pain reliever, or draining and dressing of blisters.

Sun care if your skiing or in high altitude

Higher altitude means increased levels of harmful UV exposure compared to sea level areas. UV exposure increases 8-10 percent with every 1,000 feet above sea level. At an altitude of 9-10,000 feet, UV may be 45-50 percent more intense than at sea level. In addition, snow reflects about 80 percent of the UV light from the sun, meaning that you are often hit by the same rays twice. This only contributes to the problem, further increasing the risk for skin cancer.The combination of higher altitude and ultraviolet (UV) rays reflected by the snow puts skiers and snowboarders at an increased risk of sun damage and ultimately, skin cancer. More than 90 percent of all skin cancers are caused by sun exposure. It’s easy to associate winter with frostbite and windburn, but most people are unaware that UV rays can be even more damaging on the slopes than on the beach,it’s important to take proper precautions while on the slopes.

Both snow and strong wind can wear away natural sunscreen and reduce its effectiveness, so you have to take extra precautions. To protect your skin from the bitter cold, heavy winds and winter sun, follow these important sun protection tips:

• Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher whenever you spend time outdoors. Apply 30 minutes before hitting the slopes.Be aware that the sun’s reflection off the snow is strong even on cloudy days.
• Apply sunscreen liberally and evenly to all exposed skin – most skiers and snowboarders do not use enough sunscreen and therefore do not get the maximum protection.
• Use a more moisturizing sunscreen. Winter conditions can be particularly harsh on the skin.
• Be sure to cover often-missed spots: lips, ears, around eyes, neck, underside of chin, scalp and hands.
• Read the ingredients to learn which active ingredients are protecting you. Try to use Zinc or Titanium and organic inactive ingredients. Organic sunblock can prevent complications some chemical sunscreens may cause.
• Reapply at least every two hours, and more often after sweating or exposure to wind and snow.
• Carry a travel-sized sunscreen and lip balm with an SPF of 15 on the slopes. Reapply on the chairlift, especially after a long, snow-blown run. Lips are very sensitive.
• Wear items like ski masks, which will cover most of the skin, leaving very little exposed to the wind and sun.
• UV-blocking sunglasses or goggles that offer 100% UV protection and have wraparound or large frames protect your eyelids and the sensitive skin around your eyes, common sites for skin cancer and sun-induced aging. The sun’s rays and glare can impair your vision, so it’s important to wear sunglasses or goggles to clearly see the terrain. Plus, it will increase your enjoyment and performance while skiing.
• Keep track of the time you spend in full sunlight. If possible, ski early in the morning and later on in the day, before 10AM and after 4PM. This helps avoid long lines and decreases the amount of time spent outdoors in the most intense hours of sunlight.
• If you are on the slopes for most of the day, take a few breaks indoors to reapply sunscreen.
• Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration from the sun.

Enjoy the winter season, but be sure to take care of your skin to avoid the damage the cold season can cause.