Safer Sunscreen & Tanning

I love that every year the Environmental Working Group (EWG) produces a guide to Safer Sunscreens.  The EWG empowers consumers to live healthier lives in a healthier environment.  According to their website, they specialize in research and advocacy in the areas of toxic chemicals, agricultural subsidies, public lands, and corporate accountability.  While the 2018 guide has not been officially released yet, there are still some helpful tips from the 2017 guide that can be used each year by everyone.

Basic Helpful tips:

1. Wear shorts, hats, and pants to protect your skin from UV rays (big floppy hats are my favorite)

2. Find shady areas 

3. Use sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV radiation

4. Play in the morning or late afternoon when the sun is lower in the sky

5. Don't get burned (wear protective clothing, sunscreen, etc.)

Speaking of sunscreen, you might be wondering what some safer alternatives are!  On the 2017 EWG Guide, there are multiple categorical tabs, from worse sunscreens to best sunscreens.  If you click on one of the subcategories (i.e., best kids, best beach, etc.), you can see an entire variety of safer sunscreen options and are able browse by pictures or by brand.  There are so many safer options out there, that it should be fairly easy to find one that will work best for you and your family.  But how do you know which one to pick?  Here are five suggestions to look for when searching for a safer alternative to traditional sunscreen:

1. Look for broad spectrum SPF 30- Did you know that SPF's above SPF 30 don't really provide you with any more statistically significant protection from the suns rays than SPF 30?  An SPF of 15 blocks 93% of UVB radiation, while SPF 30 blocks 97%, and SPF 50 blocks 98% of UVB rays (a mere 1% greater).  There is not a huge difference from SPF 30 to SPF 50 and the CDC actually only recommends SPF 30.  Why is that?  Well, a nursing friend and colleague of mine explained it this way... When searching for an SPF that is best for you, you want to first consider how long it takes your skin to burn when unprotected.  Let's say you're fair skinned and it takes you approximately 10 minutes to notice the first signs of burning.  If you pick a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 then that means that you are protected 30x longer than if you didn't have anything on. So 10x30 would be 300 minutes, the equivalent to 5 hours.  It is also recommended that you reapply every two hours anyways (and sooner, especially if you're swimming or sweating). Both of which support the fact that you really don't need an SPF greater than 30.  Besides, traditionally speaking, the higher the SPF, the higher the concentration of harmful chemicals present in the product without any more significant impact to blockage from the suns harmful rays. Don't want to take a nurse's word for it?  Additionally researched information on this topic be found by clicking here.

Gotta wear our eye protection. We're pretty cool if you ask me.

2. Is it oxybenzone or octinoxate free? Did you know that Hawaii just became the first state to ban oxybenzone in sunscreen due to its negative impact on coral reefs?  Way to go, Hawaii! You can read more about that here. Many consumers are up in arms about the matter, "you mean, you care more about the coral reefs than human safety?"  Well, here's a thought for you, if it's damaging the marine ecosystem, what do you think it's doing to your own body?   Oxybenzone is listed as a level 8 on the EWG Skin Deep Database.  It's presence on (and in) our bodies can create biochemical or cellular changes, endocrine disruption, bioaccumulation, enhanced skin absorption, and organ system toxicity.  You might hear people say, "oh, but it's such a small amount, it's okay."  But the fact that it can bioaccumulate means that it's not easily detoxed from the body and instead can accumulate overtime.  So a little bit, every two hours, all summer long, can have a negative impact on the body's health over time.  It's best just to avoid it.  Besides, it is 100% possible to find sunscreens that do NOT have these ingredients in them.  One of my favorite lines is Beautycounter's Countersun collection that just launched and is available for preorder now.  Beautycounter's standards for ingredient selection, continued research, and transparency are unlike any other company in the industry.  In fact, I believe in the mission (to get safer products into the hands of everyone) so much, that I've become a consultant.  I feel it's important to share this mission with you, but does that mean you have to buy Beautycounter?  Certainly not.  The mission is to get SAFER products into the hands of everyone, whether it's Beautycounter or not.  I'm here to provide you with valuable information so that you can make informed decisions and find what works best for you and your loved ones. 

Find a sunscreen that's safe for you AND safe for marine biology! Win-win! Wear floppy hats and sunglasses to protect your face and neck.

3. Does it contain non-nano zinc oxide? Be mindful of chemical SPF filters due to their high potential for skin irritation.  Look for physical sunscreens, more commonly known as mineral sunscreen.  Zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, sit on the surface of the skin and physically bounce or reflect sun’s rays away from the skin. Mineral sunscreens are great for people with sensitive skin as well as babies and kids. Non-nano zinc oxide is best because you want to ensure that there is no potential risk of respiration (if sprayed) and does not enter the blood stream to cause harmful effects on the body.

Find a sunscreen that is water-resistant! You'll still need to apply every two hours, but you'll lessen your chances to exposure from the suns harmful rays.

4. If it's a spray sunscreen, is it aerosol free?  Aerosol sunscreens contain very harmful ingredients to body of the consumer and the environment.  There are new developments in the marketplace that use a non-aerosol, bag-on-valve actuator system.  These sunscreens deliver the convenience and even application of an aerosol, but are actually air powered (when the button is pushed, air pressure in the bottle is increased forcing formula out of the bag). This ensures no harmful propellant chemicals are sprayed into the atmosphere or onto your skin. 

Find a sunscreen that's kid approved! No tears and irritated skin makes for a fun day!

5. Does it protect against blue light rays? One ray that is becoming top of mind as we spend more and more time in front of computers, smart phones and tablets is Blue Light. Blue Light is a trendy topic in the technology realm, but, Blue Light is actually everywhere. When outside, light from the sun travels through the atmosphere. The shorter, high energy blue wavelengths that make up Blue Light, collide with the air molecules, causing blue light to scatter. This is in fact what makes the sky look blue. Its skin-aging effects can potentially be as much of a concern as those caused by UVA & UVB. The latest research suggests it may damage skin proteins and lipids. When these are damaged, signs of age like loss of skin elasticity, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation are possible. 

Did you know melanoma has become the second most common cancer in women between ages 15 and 29?  It's so important to find a safer sunscreen (non-nano zinc oxide, aerosol free, oxybenzone and octinoxate free) that also protects against the suns harmful rays (broad spectrum, blue light, and at least 30). So, what do I recommend? Well, I mentioned it above, but the extended Beautycounter Countersun collection just launched and was featured on the Today Show as a "a top sunscreen to buy for any age this summer."  It's my favorite sunscreen and our children love it.  For any of you parents out there, you understand the struggle of sunscreening an active little kiddo who ultimately just wants to get back in the water!

What is it exactly, though, about the Countersun line that we just love so much?  I've broken that down for you below, but ultimately, it hits all the main areas that we feel are most important for our family.

Features of the Countersun line:

• Broad spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen for every day use.

• Water-resistant for 80 minutes.

• Provides UVA, UVB & Blue Light defense.

• Lightweight formula absorbs easily.

• Delivers the convenience and even application of an aerosol (but is actually air-powered).

• Sprays on white to help guide application.

• Sprays at any angle.

• Suitable for children & sensitive skin. 

• Gluten free

• Oxybenzone and octinoxate free 

• Comes in mineral sunscreen lotion, mineral sunscreen stick, and mineral sunscreen mist

Okay, so you found a sunscreen that works for you.  Butttttttt... You still want that summer glow. I get it, I've been there. Over the years I've self tanned and laid in the sun for hours to get a nice toasty color on my skin.  Even now, I've gone to the tanning salon a few times leading up to my wedding next month.  I'm not here to judge you, and I hope for the same grace from you.  Again, it's never my goal to judge or shame.  Instead, my goal is to inform others, and to be transparent in the process. Am I perfect and do I always make the safest decision? No. No one is perfect.  At the end of the day we get to make the choices that we feel like are right for us.  For me, as I prepare for my wedding, going to a salon was the quick no-mess way for me to get a little "sun kissed glow."  Do I know the harmful effects of self-tanning? Yes, because I've done the research.  And that's what makes all the difference. Knowing.  Education is empowering and I hope that by sharing this information, I can empower others to make decisions they feel are right for them.  Do I plan to continue tanning? Heck no.  But have I done it? Yes.  However, during this journey as I've prepared for my wedding, I have also found some safer alternatives to self-tanning. The one I've found with the best ratings is called EcoTan.  It's amazing.  I used it about two weeks leading up to my engagement pictures and not only does it work, but it doesn't have a yucky smell, doesn't streak, and doesn't contain harmful ingredients. I ordered the "complete tanning package" which comes with an exfoliator glove, face water, and your choice between three different self tanners (invisible tan, winter skin, and cacao tanning moose).  I chose the invisible tan and loved it.  EcoTan pride's itself on having no hidden ingredients (no orange or synthetic dyes, no bad smell, etc). The company was founded on authenticity and transparency and is 100% organic, using natural ingredients certified by the Organic Food Chain Australia, toxic free and accredited by Safe Cosmetics Australia, and is Vegan (licensed by PETA), and accredited by Choose Cruelty Free. Pretty cool company if you ask me.  And it's good to know there are safer self-tanning options out there. 

Ultimately, I hope all this information helps you to feel better equipped with information needed to find safer products and the confidence to make more informed decisions as you go.  Find what works best for you and your family, and give yourself grace in the process.  And you know what?  Go have a little fun in the sun!