Do We Need Sunscreen?

life is hard; food doesn't have to be #87 [vol3, 4.1] ‌ ‌ ‌

Deviating from food this week because ‘tis the season for sunscreen. Will resume with regularly scheduled recipes next week.

Last year my fair skinned sister got a major sunburn at the beach. Or so she thought. After kicking herself for a rookie mistake she realized she had used ample sunscreen. Her burn was actually a chemical burn. The sunscreen she used on her chest was different than on her face and the chest burn was extreme.

It was one of the most painful things and lasted for at least a week.

Turns out, she used a sunscreen that was being recalled for this very thing. There is a class action lawsuit against Neutrogena and Aveeno for burns like this. Brands that some would consider natural or safe.

Is Sun Exposure All Bad?

Sun exposure to skin is vital for the synthesis of vitamin D. We’ve all heard in the last 2 years of this pandemic how crucial vitamin D is for our immune system AND that most Americans are deficient.

Other benefits of moderate sun exposure:

• improves sleep

• strengthens bones

• encourages our mental health, fights depression

• keeps weight off

• reduces blood pressure

I LOVE THE SUN! But I don’t love wrinkles or sun spots.

2 Things to Keep Wrinkles at Bay

1. Moisturize, moisturize, MOISTURIZE!

2. Reduce sun exposure - with sunscreen, hats, rash guards, etc.

The sun emits beneficial vitamin D as well as harmful UVA and UVB rays. In fact, the best way for our bodies to absorb vitamin D is skin exposure to the sun.

I don't fear the sun at the pool. We go slow in the beginning -- increasing our sun exposure. We slather up the first weeks of summer. By the end of summer sunscreen isn't necessary.  However, Schaeffer our whitest whitey wears a rash guard to cover upper arms and neck.  If we go to the lake or beach we definitely slather.

We slather hoping for protection yet some is making us sick (and causes chemical burns, like my sister!) No one protects your health like you will so educate yourself on what you need to know.

The beauty industry is largely unregulated and has some nasty chemicals.

For example, oxybenzone is one of those nasties that can stay in your bloodstream for 3 weeks. Oxybenzone can leave 180 times the FDA’s level of concern after a single application of sunscreen. Wear it for 4 days? It can soar to 500 times the FDA's level of concern. (This makes me so angry that it’s not common knowledge! And what is the FDA doing about it? Nada. We must educate ourselves.)

Cheap sunscreens (and even some expensive ones) are toxic.  The skin is our largest organ - so if you find yourself frequently slathering with sunscreen, please please PLEASE be sure yours isn't toxic.  The Skin Deep Database by the Environmental Working Group is a good place to check.

People often ask which sunscreen I use - & is there something cheaper than Beautycounter?  I have been using Beautycounter sunscreen exclusively for 4 years (before being a consultant) because most mineral sunscreens are a pain to apply.  This is the best sunscreen I've found.  And of note: sunscreen is the one product I do not get full commission on because it is more expensive to produce. I genuinely love the sunscreen from Beautycounter.

Chemical or Physical Barriers?

Mineral based sunscreens, also known as broad spectrum sunscreens, are my choice because they physically block both UVA (wrinkle causing) and UVB rays (skin burning). Mineral based sunscreens are not absorbed into the skin. They sit on top and deflect both UVA and UVB rays. Mineral sunscreens often get a bad reputation because of their difficulty to apply (another reason I am a fan of Beautycounter’s.) Words to look for: non-nano zinc oxide, titanium oxide.

Note: just because it is a mineral sunscreen doesn’t mean it is safe. I have looked up some very toxic mineral sunscreens on the Skin Deep Database. You have to be an informed consumer.

What's so nasty about oxybenzone?

Studies have shown that oxybenzone may affect breast development, infant birth weight, and sperm function. It has also been shown to contribute to the killing of coral reefs in the ocean (think of it as the microplastic of chemicals). As a result, Hawaii banned the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate starting in 2021.

Oxybenzone has a cornucopia of nasty side effects. As a hormone disruptor to coral, it also causes hormone disruption in humans, affecting estrogen production particularly in women and testosterone production in men. At least one study showed oxybenzone exposure lead to lower testosterone levels in adolescent boys, as well as thyroid problems in both men and women. If that’s not scary enough, there’s mounting concern that oxybenzone causes skin cancer.

Don’t want to keep up with all the chemicals? 

Beautycounter’s sunscreen is safer and one of the first products I fell in love with. It was all we took to Fiji when we lived there 6 months (& I wasn’t a consultant then. I just love their sunscreen.) Once I saw the coral reefs with my own goggles, I was glad we weren't harming their beauty.

Spray sunscreens are doubly bad because they're also bad for your lungs. Beautycounter's is air powered but non-aerosol.  

In summer, I wear Dew Skin everyday on my face.  It's a tinted moisturizer with SPF, some call it BB cream.  There will be new packaging, available April 19, and more shades.  The 3 lightest shades are currently out of stock.

When in Phoenix last week, I took Countersun Daily Sheer Defense for Face.  It has a different texture than Dew Skin.  This sunscreen is moisturizing yet with a matte finish whereas Dew Skin has a glowy finish.

What I love about the Sheer Defense for Face is that my people don't complain when I put sunscreen on them.  My husband has melasma (dark spots from thyroid issues) on his neck and the sun makes them darker.  Our youngest is a fair lass so he needs allll the sunscreen.  This sunscreen doesn't feel gross.  It feels like moisturizer.  We just use it on the face, neck and ears because it is too expensive to use all over.

Here's a link to the all over body sunscreen also a smaller size.  It's what we use at the pool. I have samples I can pop in the mail just reply to this email.  

There's also a stick that's great for your purse and a tinted air-powered sunscreen.

Get 30% off the month of April by using code CLEANFORALL30 for new clients. This is an amazing percentage off! Please reply with any questions.

---

My house is full of boxes. We load the truck Sunday afternoon. John will drive to Louisville and put everything in storage (we get occupancy of our house June 1). I will stay behind in Little Rock for the kids to finish school and live with generous retired friends who have 4 bedrooms + bonus room upstairs.

I’m excited for summer!

Julie