Sun Smart: A Holistic Guide to Healthy Sun Exposure!!
Before you pack up that SPF100, let’s talk about what’s really aging your skin. Maybe you’ve already booked that trip to that ocean-side villa. One of the most toxic industries in skincare is the sunscreen market. The chemicals used in the manufacturing of many of these products are destroying your skin, the environment, and may be increasing your risk of skin cancer. Yes, you heard that correctly.
Let’s take a Smarter and Healthier approach to Summer Sun!
Rethink the Sun: Respect, don’t fear it- Let’s reframe your thinking when it comes to the sun and getting sunshine. The fear campaigns have now been at work for 40+ years. The sun is not your enemy—in fact, the sun is your greatest ally in optimal health. Instead of fear—let’s adopt a mindset of respect. Can you get burned, heck yes.
DID YOU KNOW that you cannot get sunburned if your shadow is taller than you? Early and late-day sun is perfectly safe.
Hydrate Like it matters (Because It Does)- Let’s be sure we’re getting our daily requirements for water. Not just water, you’ll want to make sure you’re getting plenty of electrolytes (sea salt). There are great brands like Drink LMNT to boost your hydration and supplementation. Bone broth can be another great resource of hydration and nutrition.
Eat Your Sunscreen- Food is medicine—for better and worse. Two big items to consider here:
- Avoid the seed oils and any other fat that is high in Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs). These fats are highly oxidative, making it easier for you to burn. They are also prevalent in industrial sunscreens.
- Emphasis on foods to promote healthy skin: Butter, ghee, tallow, coconut oil, and of course our beloved SmartLard®. You can also add foods high in antioxidants: wild caught salmon, shrimp, pastured pork, watermelon, eggs, beef lever, green peppers, and citrus top the list of foods that are high in a variety of pro-skin nutrition.
Nourish the Skin Barrier (the Right Way)- Shameless plug…but our SkinFood is an ideal sun prep moisturizer to prepare your skin for the sun. Healthy skin is more resilient to UV rays and we also don’t want to disrupt your skin’s microbiome with the endless chemicals used in most products.
We hear you—don’t worry,
we’re working on a sun product.
Avoid sunscreens that are chemical based. If you need a sunscreen, seek out brands that are mineral based—preferentially using non-nano zinc oxide
Dress Smart for Midday Sun- Rewind the clock 100 years…zero sunscreen. There were also nearly zero incidents of skin cancer. In addition to building a stronger skin callus, our great grandparents were smart enough not to spend hours in direct/intense sun without covering up. We live in a world today with lightweight, water resistant, and stylish clothing that can protect you from the most intense moments of the day. A good strategy is to get out of the direct sun (via clothing or a lunch break) between 11am & 3pm each day.
What To Do After the Rays- It is bound to happen, despite the planning and increased awareness. Should you get burned, and even if you don’t, consider lathering up with some natural fats after a long day in the sun. Our EpicDermis and SkinFood are fantastic choices here. Other options are raw honey, cold compresses, tallow…heck, even butter is a far cry better than petroleum derivatives and toxic goop.
Want to glow all summer long without the chemical chaos?
Shop SkinFood, EpicDermis—designed with biology, ecology, and transparency in mind.