Sunshine is a vital ingredient for staying healthy and is your best source for essential Vitamin D. Sunlight also provides you with numerous other health benefits such as fighting depression and protection against several types of cancer.
We all need regular sun exposure. However, there are occasions where it is possible you may overdose. Excess sun exposure that causes sunburns is something you want to avoid, as it is a well-proven risk factor for skin cancer.
The majority of sun damage occurs when you are young, putting children among the highest risk for sunburn. Summer has just begun and the next few months are a busy time for families with schedules packed with sporting events, pool parties, going to the beach, camping, vacations and many other outdoor activities. While this is a prime time to get your Vitamin D, it is also the time you are most likely going to risk getting sunburn.
I do not advocate the excessive use of sunscreen, but when there are no practical solutions to adequate sun protection, the safe, non-toxic form of sunscreen I recommend below is your best bet to avoid the dangers of sunburn.
Many of us are guilty of not monitoring our time in the sun. It's easy to lose track of our "fun in the sun" weekend time -- especially for those of us who have been cooped up in offices for the majority of the week.
However, the solution to stopping sunburn is not as simple as just slapping on any form of sunscreen found on store shelves.
In fact, using most types of sunscreens may cause you even greater harm and may actually increase your risk of disease.
The vast majority of today's sunscreens are nothing more than poisonous concoctions loaded with suspect carcinogens. Finding a "safe" sunscreen is about as difficult as getting your kids out of the pool on a hot summer day.
Fortunately, I have finally found two truly wonderful sunblocks that are virtually free of all toxic chemicals, made by the leader in natural skincare -- Aubrey Organics!
- Active Full Spectrum Sunblock SPF 25 provides UVA and UVB ray protection with titanium dioxide, a mineral that actually deflects burning rays off your skin, and PABA ester. Both ingredients are the most natural sunblock agents allowed in sunscreen products. It's also made with shea butter, white camellia oil and other emollients to keep skin soft and supple for hours. Those of you with dry or mature skin will be amazed by this sunblock's long-lasting hydrating power.
- Green Tea Sunblock for Children SPF 25 is the best natural sun protection for children of all ages. This exclusive herbal formula provides full spectrum protection with PABA ester and a natural, sun-reflecting mineral. Plus it contains antioxidant-rich Matcha green tea to prevent free radical damage. While not recommended for infants under six months of age -- it is perfect for children and adults with sun-sensitive skin.
Researchers still recommend using sunscreen as it does protect against basal cell carcinoma, the most common skin cancer that is usually easy to treat, and it slows the wrinkling of aging skin. So, when you can't avoid over exposure to the sun, these sunblocks will give your entire family the most natural and safe protection from dangerous sunburns.
The Toxic Ingredients Concealed in a Typical Bottle of Sunscreen
Sunscreen is regulated by the FDA as an over-the-counter drug because it contains several "active" ingredients. The debate over toxicity of these active ingredients is still a controversy.
One study found that the main chemical used in sun lotions to filter out ultraviolet light may be TOXIC -- and the chemical's toxicity doubled when exposed to sunlight. Octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC), which is present in 90 percent of sunscreen brands, was found to kill mouse cells even at low doses in a study by Norwegian scientists. When researchers shone a lamp for two hours to simulate midday sunshine, even more cells died.
And a study in the April 2004 Journal of Chromatography found that there is significant penetration of all sunscreen agents they studied into the skin. So, it's a fair to assume that when you use sunscreen your body is absorbing synthetic chemicals.
And if you follow the recommendations on the sunscreen's label to apply generous amounts of the product every few hours, it's likely you will be absorbing your fair share of potentially toxic chemicals. It takes a stretch of the imagination to believe that all of these chemicals will not have any effect on your system.
It's also important to make the distinction between the two kinds of sunscreen agents: chemical and physical. Chemical sunscreen agents protect you from the sun by absorbing the ultraviolet (UV) and visible sun rays, while physical sunscreen agents reflect, scatter, absorb, or block these rays.
Titanium dioxide, which you will find in both the Active and Green Tea Sunblocks, acts as physical barrier that reflect UV rays, and is considered to be the least problematic in terms of absorption. Please be assured that, while this sunscreen does contain titanium dioxide, it does not use or contain nano-particles.
The only other active ingredient you'll find in the Aubrey Organic sunscreens is Paba Ester (Padimate O), which is among the most natural agents you will find in sunscreen products today.
Vitamin D vs. Sunburn: Ultraviolet -- B Exposure is Key
Ultraviolet B, or UV-B, is known as the "burning ray" because it is the primary cause of sunburn caused by overexposure to sunlight. However, UV-B sunlight produces vitamin D on the skin, and stimulates the production of MSH -- an important hormone in weight loss, energy production, and in giving you that wonderful tanned appearance.
While longer sun exposure will not increase vitamin D production, it will increase the danger of skin damage and possible skin cancer. So how do you get enough Vitamin D without getting burned? There are several key factors to consider when exposing yourself to UV-B rays including:
- Latitude and altitude of location -- The further north you are the less there is; the higher up you are the more UV-B reaches you.
- Your skin pigmentation -- The darker your pigmentation or more tanned your skin, the less UV-B penetrates.
- Weather conditions and air quality -- Both clouds and pollution (smog and ozone) can block UV-B
- Time of year -- Virtually no UV-B is available in winter months in the U.S.
Aubrey's Active and Green Tea sunblocks provide full spectrum (UVA and UVB) protection at an SPF level of 25. Both will block you from getting Vitamin D on the skin, so I recommend using them cautiously, especially if you have a Vitamin D deficiency. If you do not know your Vitamin D level, or have reason to suspect it might be low, it would be wise to get your Vitamin D level tested now..
That said, when it comes to UVB exposure -- more does not necessarily mean better. That's why in some instances, especially in the summer, it is wise to protect the whole family safely with both Active Full Spectrum Sunblock and Green Tea Sunblock.
© Copyright 2008 Dr. Joseph Mercola. All Rights Reserved.
|