Sunscreen
The days of covering ourselves in baby oil and sunbathing in the backyard are long past for many of us. I still shudder that there are pictures in existence that prove that we did it!
We have accepted the need for sunscreen, but not all sunscreens are created equal and higher number SPFs do not actually guarantee greater protection.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) offers a list of 184 sunscreens that meet their criteria for safe, 22 moisturizers with SPF, and 18 lip balms with SPF. Use one of them! (Of course I think you should use Ava Anderson Non Toxic). Even with a non-toxic sunscreen, you should not over expose yourself to the skin. You should apply generously and reapply frequently.
Among the ingredients EWG recommends avoiding in sunscreens are:
The best approach is to make safe sunscreen choices, apply carefully (poor application is a huge contributor to burns and other problems), and limit sun exposure, especially in the middle of the day. A walk on the beach at sunset is not only more romantic, but it is also better for your skin than spending hours on the beach blanket in the mid-day sun. Using an umbrella, wearing a hat, and covering up are all wise choices. Remember to apply sunscreen when outside exercising, gardening, or just sitting, as well as when you are at the beach or at the pool. Enjoy summer, celebrate the beautiful long days, but do it wisely!
The days of covering ourselves in baby oil and sunbathing in the backyard are long past for many of us. I still shudder that there are pictures in existence that prove that we did it!
We have accepted the need for sunscreen, but not all sunscreens are created equal and higher number SPFs do not actually guarantee greater protection.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) offers a list of 184 sunscreens that meet their criteria for safe, 22 moisturizers with SPF, and 18 lip balms with SPF. Use one of them! (Of course I think you should use Ava Anderson Non Toxic). Even with a non-toxic sunscreen, you should not over expose yourself to the skin. You should apply generously and reapply frequently.
Among the ingredients EWG recommends avoiding in sunscreens are:
- Vitamin A, retinol and retinyl palmitate
- Oxybenzone which is problematic because it can penetrate the skin, cause allergic skin reactions and may disrupt hormones
- Spray sunscreens generally are problematic because you don't want to breathe in the zinc oxide or titanium dioxide that is in many sunscreens. While calling for more study, EWG feels that zinc oxide and titanium dioxide on the skin provide more benefit than harm.
The best approach is to make safe sunscreen choices, apply carefully (poor application is a huge contributor to burns and other problems), and limit sun exposure, especially in the middle of the day. A walk on the beach at sunset is not only more romantic, but it is also better for your skin than spending hours on the beach blanket in the mid-day sun. Using an umbrella, wearing a hat, and covering up are all wise choices. Remember to apply sunscreen when outside exercising, gardening, or just sitting, as well as when you are at the beach or at the pool. Enjoy summer, celebrate the beautiful long days, but do it wisely!
