06/06/2023
How to Protect Yourself and Your Family From the Sun Safely
☀️ Use Safe Sunscreen
According to the EWG and FDA, the only two active sunscreen ingredients considered safe for use are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide found in mineral sunscreens.
While some mineral sunscreens may contain a blend of these two active ingredients, zinc oxide alone is sufficient.
Choose a broad spectrum mineral sunscreen that contains at least 15% zinc oxide that blocks UVA and UVB rays, and provides excellent protection. Reapply regularly (follow product recommendation) if outside for long periods or getting in and out of water. Use a factor suitable for your skin type, recommendations are SPF 30 or higher for adults and SPF 50 for children.
(I'll share more on sunscreens in a follow up post)
☀️ Be smart about sun exposure
We need to expose our skin to the sun regularly to be able to synthesise an appropriate amount of vitamin D. Striking the right balance with exposure can be difficult.
As a general rule of thumb, exposing your skin to about 15 minutes of direct sun a day is enough to provide sufficient vitamin D if you aren’t already deficient. This can vary for different skin types and ethnicities.
Try to avoid the sun's strongest rays between the hours of 11am-3pm.
Seek shade as much as possible in midday sun, use umbrellas and sun protection tents.
Cover up (see next point).
☀️ Protect yourself with clothing
If you do find yourself in the sun quite a bit, the best way to protect yourself is to cover up! Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants or skirts, wide brimmed hats and sunglasses with uv protection.
When possible choose swimsuits, hats and clothing with UPF 50+ protection.
☀️ Eat foods that provide natural sun protection
Foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids (such as; salmon, mackerel, sardines, eggs, nuts and seeds) have been shown to reduce inflammation, protect cells from free radical damage and may protect against certain types of skin cancer.
Long-term vitamin C intake, along with vitamin E has been shown to reduce sunburn, and foods high in Vitamin C, specifically citrus fruits, contain compounds that can significantly reduce your risk of skincancer.
☀️ Supplement if Necessary
If you do not get enough skin exposure to the sun, wear sunscreen everyday or are deficient in vitamin D you could supplement with vitamin D3 with K2 orally.
Long-term vitamin C intake, along with vitamin E has been shown to reduce sunburn.