Everything You Need to Know About Sunscreen
It's that time of year again—the time for pulling out flip flops and shorts, taking regular walks and bike rides in the park, sipping margaritas on the patio, having cookouts with friends and family, and spending weekends at the beach or lake. Oh, and it's also the time you might come home looking like a lobster.
Summer is glorious in many ways, but painful sunburns are not fun—and they're harmful. To help you stay safe in the summer sun this season, here's everything you need to know about taking care of yourself.
What Is a Sunburn?
A sunburn is visible damage to the skin resulting from excessive exposure to the sun’s UV rays.
It doesn’t appear immediately, however. A sunburn surfaces hours after exposure and is most painful between 6 to 48 hours afterward. Skin begins to peel three to 10 days post-burn. If you experience severe pain or blistering, you should consult a physician.
Why It Matters
We all understand the major dangers of excessive sun exposure by now. The sun’s UV rays can damage skin cells and contribute to wrinkles, accelerated aging, skin damage, and can even disrupt your body’s hormones.
What Does SPF Stand For?
Sunscreen, which protects against these rays, is categorized by SPF or “sun protection factor.” This number indicates the level of protection against the sun’s UV rays, particularly UVB, which are the rays that cause skin to burn (note that this does not include harmful UVA rays).
The higher the SPF number, the better the protection. However, sky-high SPFs can give a false sense of security. For example, SPF 100 does not offer twice the protection of SPF 50; the additional protection above 50 is actually marginal. For this reason, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) recommends avoiding products with an SPF higher than 50. Regardless of the number on your bottle, it’s crucial to reapply sunscreen frequently and follow all other sun safety tips.
Current Sunscreen Regulations
In 2011, the FDA announced new sunscreen regulations, including banning “waterproof” claims on labels, prohibiting the sale of towelettes and powders, and allowing the term “broad spectrum protection” on products that meet their criteria, implying both UVA and UVB protection.
Critics argue that these changes did little to actually improve sunscreen products and that the “broad protection” criteria are too lenient. In Europe, much stricter EU standards are in place, and the EWG estimates that half of the U.S. sunscreens wouldn’t meet those standards.
The EWG assessed hundreds of sunscreen items on the market in 2014, and many fell short. Only 149 products met their criteria. On the good list were items from brands available at the BubbForest store, including All Terrain, Alba Botanica, Badger, California Baby, Kiss My Face and Nature’s Gate.
The EWG also assessed moisturizers with SPF, and 62 products made the good list. Some of those items include Andalou Naturals Brightening BB All-In-One Beauty Balm Sheer Tint, Mineral Fusion Facial Moisturizer, and MyChelle Dermaceuticals Sun Shield Unscented.
Dangers of Sunscreen
Blocking the sun’s rays also blocks the beneficial effects, such as vitamin D production. Known as the “sunshine vitamin," vitamin D is crucial for healthy bones, optimal calcium absorption, and a healthy immune response. Overusing sunscreen can prevent your body from producing enough vitamin D on its own.
Even before sunscreen use, many experts indicated that most Americans don’t get enough vitamin D. It’s challenging to estimate the required sun exposure to meet your vitamin D needs, as factors like skin type, amount of skin exposed, time of day, and time of year all play a role. An approximate estimate suggests just 10-15 minutes a day for lighter-skinned individuals between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
How can you get this essential vitamin while still staying safe? Supplements are the answer! Most vitamin D supplements provide 400-10,000 IU of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), which is the form your body produces from natural sunlight. Monitoring your diet to include vitamin D-rich foods is also advisable, though reaching the right amount can be challenging.
Another downside to many sunscreens is the inclusion of harmful chemicals and ingredients. Be wary of labels containing “paraben,” “oxybenzone,” or “retinyl palmitate.”
The good news is that there are natural sunscreen products on the market that do not contain harmful ingredients—some of which are mentioned in the section on regulations.
How To Choose a Sunscreen (What to Look For)
Tips for Preventing and Treating Sunburns
- Apply moisturizers and lip balms with SPF daily, even if just going outside for a brief period
- Wear protective clothing, including brimmed hats and sunglasses
- Choose shaded areas over direct sunlight
- Frequently apply sunscreen with a high SPF
- Limit your exposure to short periods
- Avoid the sun during peak hours (approximately 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
- Eat tomatoes for their antioxidant lycopene and consume dark green, red, and yellow fruits and veggies to promote skin health
- Take vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene supplements for added antioxidant protection
- Apply aloe to soothe burns (and store it in the fridge for extra cooling!)
Natural Alternatives at Home
Making your own sun care remedies at home using safe, natural ingredients is quite simple. The easiest way to make sunscreen is to mix plain zinc oxide ointment with your favorite lotion. To treat a sunburn, try a cool compress or a cool oatmeal bath. Even a half cup of baking soda in a tub of water provides relief. Here are a few additional DIY recipes you can try at home to avoid toxic chemicals:
Homemade Sunblock Lotion, approx SPF 20, via homemadetoast.com
You’ll need:
- 2 ounces shea butter
- 2 ounces coconut oil
- 1 ounce zinc oxide
- Approx 8 drops of tea tree (or your favorite essential) oil
Directions:
- Melt the shea butter and coconut oil together. You can use a double boiler or a Pyrex measuring cup set in a saucepan.
- Remove from heat; stir in the zinc oxide (be careful to not inhale the particles during this step!). Pour into the desired container.
- Cool completely before use. Store at room temperature and avoid direct sun exposure.
Homemade Overnight Sunburn Remedy (use in place of aloe) via livinginanotherlanguage.com
You’ll need:
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar (ACV)
- 1 cup cold water
- 100% pure coconut oil
- A spray bottle (optional)
Directions:
- Pour the ACV into the spray bottle, add a cup of cold water on top of that. Shake well and spray liberally over burnt skin. Have a towel on hand to blot up any excess that drips. Let dry.
- (Or, if you don’t have a spray bottle, simply dab the mixture gently with a cloth.)
- Gently rub your skin with the coconut oil. Put on a loose shirt to avoid getting your sheets oily, and go to bed. The burn should feel significantly better overnight.
Tanning without the Sun
If you’re aiming for a golden glow without sun exposure, there are plenty of alternatives that don’t involve going outside.
- Apply self-tanning lotions (I personally use the Alba Botanica Sunless Tanner and appreciate the subtle color and great scent it imparts to my skin)
- Use bronzing makeup powders for easy application of color
To prevent looking orange and streaky when using tanning lotions, make sure to exfoliate well prior to application, and read reviews to ensure confidence in the product’s reputation. Especially if you have sensitive skin, always perform a patch test first to avoid a bad reaction over your entire body.
These simple tips can help you and your family have fun outdoors this summer while staying safe.
Sources:
http://www.ewg.org/sunsafety/tips-practice-smart-sun.php
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Summerhealth/Pages/vitamin-D-sunlight.aspx
http://www.homemadetoast.com/2013/07/the-truth-about-homemade-sunscreen.html
“Take Care of Yourself” by Donald M. Vickery, M.D. and James F. Fries, M.D.
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