Why suncreen this summer?

What is Sunscreen? Sunscreen is anything that has SPF 2 or more to protect the skin from the sun's damage. (SPF means skin protection factor). Sunblock has a sunscreen property of SPF 12 or higher. The SPF number is an indication of how long you can wear it while in the sun. This is how it works; if it takes 15minutes before you start turning pink, an SPF 15 product will let you stay in the sun for five hours without burning. The formula is 20 (minutes) x (SPF number 15) =300 (minutes), or five hours.

We are told sunscreen is a healthy skin regimen that helps to protect our skin but is it really true...
"In February 1998, epidemiologist Marianne Berwick of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York presented a careful analysis of data on sunscreen use and skin cancer at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Sunscreens may not protect against skin cancer, including melanoma, she concluded. "We don't really know whether sunscreens prevent skin cancer," said Berwick. She looked first at four studies of squamous cell cancer, a cancer that appears on the head, neck, and arms but is usually not lethal. Two of the studies concluded that sunscreen protected against a skin condition thought to precede squamous cell cancer while two other studies reported that sunscreen did not shield people from this type of skin cancer. She then analyzed two studies of basal cell carcinoma, another nonlethal skin cancer that is the most common form of skin cancer and appears most frequently on the head, neck, and arms. Those two studies found that people who used sunscreen were more likely to develop basal cell cancer than people who did not. She then analyzed 10 studies of melanoma, the skin cancer is the most deadly. Melanoma often starts in or near moles on the skin. In five of the melanoma studies, people who used sunscreen were more likely than nonusers to develop melanoma. In three of the studies, there was no association between sunscreen use and melanoma. In the final two studies, people who used sunscreen seemed to be protected. (Source: Science News, Vol. 153, No. 23, June 6, 1998, p. 360)." citing skin biology

Why avoid excessive Sunlight? Sun damage can cause wrinkle, sagging, discoloration, premature aging, melanoma, roughness, dryness, brown spots, blemishes, fine lines, eye disease, excessive sun exposure retards the function of the immune system, and could cause skin cancer.

We can't run from aging but there are few things you can do to reduce sun exposure.

• Use Broad spectrum sunscreen to protect against both UVA and UVB rays; most dermatologist advice but i don't because i prefer applying Aloe Vera instead because it protects the skin from sunburn especially good when outdoors for a short amount of time.
• Seek shade or cool place between 10:00a.m and 4p.m
• Use an umbrella
• Avoid Sun tanning and UV tanning--UVA/UVB Sunscreen SPF or 15 or higher when outdoor- enhance your natural glow, sun tan can cause havoc to the skin  and the skin is the largest organ of the body-you want to avoid this. Although the skin detoxifies itself heavy over load of chemicals that can inhibit its normal functions. DDT, dioxin, PCBs, Benzophenone and Avobenzone. Active ingredients breaks down and become in effective within 2 hours of application.
• Benzophenone and Avobenzone is a known free-radical generator.
• There is no scientific evidence linking sunscreen to protection against melanoma or basal cell carcinoma however, non-toxic sunscreen helps reduce sunburn. Also it can help prevent formation of actinic kerotoses Estrogenic toxins, DDT (Dichloro, diphenyl, trichloroethane).

How to find your perfect sunscreen: personally am not a fan of sunscreen, sunblock or suntan's lotions at all, i find them a bit too heavy but if you are looking to find a perfect sunscreen, these tips below will help.
If you're combination or oily an oil-free SPF 50 is good, but if you're alabaster fair, go higher, pick a product that is non-allergenic and non-comodogenic.

If you're Dry to normal don't layer sunscreen over moisturizer; that will just dilute the SPF protection. Instead opt for an SPF 50+ that's labeled moisturizing or hydrating.

If you dry and break out often look for hydrating sun-block SPF30 that's non-comodogenic.
Water resistant sunscreens retain their SPF after swimming or sweating for a certain amount of time. Brands of Sunscreen.

• Aubrey Organics Natural Sun Green Tea Sunscreen, SPF 30+
• Lavanila Laboratories The Healthy Baby Block, SPF 40
• Loving Naturals Clear Body Sunscreen, SPF 30+
• Non-Toxic Naturals Untinted Sunscreen, SPF 30 

You can find these at iherb

Common chemical ingredient found in Sunscreen are:
Avobenzone
Parsol 1789
Dioxybenzone (UVB,UVAII)
Ecamsule
Menthyl Anthranilate
Meradimate
Oxybenzone (benzophenone, Benzophenone-3)
Sulisobenzone (UVB, UVAII)

Aminobenzoic acid, cinnamates (octylmethoxycinnamate (OMC), Ethythexyl, P-methoxycinnamate, cinoxate, dioxybenzone (UVB, UVAII) Ensulizole, Homosalate, octocrylene, octinoscate, octisalate, oxybenzone (UVB, UVAII octyldimetht paba, padimate O, para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), Salicylates (octylsalicylate (OCS), sulisobenzone (UVB, UVAII), Trolamine salicylate.

Chemical Sunscreen are powerful free radical generators- increasing cellular damage which can lead to cancer.
Psoralen-Increases skin cancer rate.
stress-estrogen activity-gender binding-interferes with normal sexual development and creates a host of other health problems.
Synthetic Chemical accumulates in the body organs and fat tissues.

Why wear sunglasses? Sunglasses is not just a fashion measure, sunglasses helps to protect your eyes from direct sunlight-sun damage.

what to Look for when purchasing sunglasses:

1. One with Skin protection factor
2. Tinted Lint that is uniform not darker in one area and lighter in another.
3. Hug enough to cover your eye frame properly, wide rims with side pieces like an accessory rope to allow you the freedom to wear it around your neck when away from the sun and you can wear it whenever it gets sunny again. Less sun glass accidents/drops like cellphone

 You will need a Sun glass, i like these. Even when you crying, no one can see it but you. It protect your eye from direct sun damage.

Wide Brim sun Hat, most people from where i live find "hats as British corny or British stuck- but they are pretty cute things to wear because it protect your hair, ear, neck area from the sun.
i call it a sense of style plus slap on some Aloe Vera gel- i recommend Real aloe Vera Inc spray.

Also some Mineral based SPF foundation may help to protect the skin but like my grandmother i prefer to protect the skin with a protective moisturizer like Aloe Vera and some antioxidant cream and need to stay away from the Harsh sun plus practice regular sun protecting habit. But if you leave in UTAH you gonna need more natural protection sun like wearing more protective clothing and a few ice drinks helps keep you hydrated in harsh weather condition.

Avoid stuff that can increase skin sensitivity to sun like lime, lemon, too much cosmetic retinol, going outside after exfoliation without protective moisturizer.

Rose Hip oil, Aloe and Hemp oil can help to protect the skin from sun damage


Update: Avalon Organics, Baby, Natural Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 18, 3.5 fl oz (100 ml)
NATURAL MINERAL SUNSCREEN  can help to slow down aging and free radical damage from the sun. It contains Titanium dioxide 7.0, Purified water, octyl palmitate (palm emollient), castor oil phosphate, triethoxycaprylysilane (emulsifier), glyceryl stearate (vegetable emollient), peg-100 stearate (emulsifier), isopropyl palmitate (palm emollient), cetearyl alcohol (coconut emollient), vegetable glycerin, phenoxyethanol (natural preservative), benzyl alcohol and potassium sorbate (natural preservative system), vitamin E, stearic acid (vegetable emollient), organic aloe barbadensis leaf juice, organic sunflower and jojoba seed oils, organic green tea leaf, chamomile flower, calendula flower and ginkgo biloba leaf extracts, vitamin B5, allantoin (comfrey root conditioner), oat kernel flour, organic echinacea leaf and yarrow extracts, polysorbate 60 (emulsifier), potassium cetyl phosphate (vegetable emulsifier), cetyl phosphate (vegetable emulsifier) and xanthan gum.

• + Certified Organic Blend of Chamomile, Aloe, Jojoba & Sunflower

Baby Safe

• Clinically Tested
• Pediatrician Confirmed
• Hypo-Allergenic
• Paraben Free
• Fragrance Free

Non-greasy cream protects vulnerable skin with effective titanium dioxide, a natural UVA/UVB reflective barrier.
Use: Helps prevent sunburn.

O.A finding out more about rose oil...coming soon
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