FEW THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A SUNSCREEN

Going to the beach Or shopping or simply stepping out with friends!!! Don’t forget to wear your sunscreen! No matter how the weather is – sunny or cloudy, you need to apply sunscreen to protect your skin from sun damage. The sun’s harmful UV rays not only cause sun tan, but can also cause your skin to age prematurely. Aside from avoiding the sun entirely, it is your best defense against skin cancer. A good sunscreen can even protect your skin from skin cancer!

But is your sun screen giving you the right protection? 

How to choose the best sunscreen!!!

The sunny season ahead ..You are stocking up on sunscreen for . Select a sunscreen that says broad spectrum on the bottle. These provide protection against both UVA and UVB rays.

A sunscreen that offers SPF 30 protection

It should have an SPF of 30 or higher. Remember that sunscreens with an SPF of 45 or higher don't allow you to stay out longer. You still need to reapply every two hours.

Make sure the label says that it contains sunscreen. Some lotions and tanning oils don't, so they'll offer no protection from the sun's harmful rays.

Should not contain dangerous ingredients

In the list of ingredients, it should say one these: oxybenzone, sulisobenzone, avobenzone (Parsol 1789), ecamsule, titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.This is an inexpensive ingredient added to the product for UV protection. But zinc oxide can make your face look pale and ghostly.

Water and sweat resistance

If you spend time in the water, choose one that is water-resistant. If you exercise outside, select one that is sweat-proof. A sunscreen that does not offer this benefit is actually pretty useless.

Skin allergies

For people suffering from skin irritation, allergies, or a sensitive skin it is important to avoid sunscreens that contain alcohol, fragrances, chemicals or preservatives. For such people it is doubly important to check and re-check the ingredient list!

Acne- prone skin

Water-based sunscreens are available in the market. If you have an oily or acne prone skin, use water based sunscreen. These do not cause your skin to break out like oil based creams.

Kid-friendly sunscreen

Kids need sunscreens as much, if not more, than we adults do. But be very careful while choosing a sunscreen for them. Children have sensitive skins and ingredients present in a sunscreen may cause allergic reactions. Do a little a research and buy a cream specially manufactured for kids. These sunscreens do not contain para-aminobenzoic acid (paba) and benzephenones and are gentle on the skin.

Sunscreen sprays

It is best to avoid sunscreen sprays. Using sprays lead to a lot of product wastage. But if you still want to go for a spray, make sure to avoid inhaling the mist after spraying. Sunscreens in spray form are best suited for people with hairy bodies or bald spots.

Expiration date

Last but not the least – check the expiration date on the package. This should become a habit for all of us while buying any product. A product past its expiration date can cause severe harm to your skin as the ingredients tend to degrade with time.

Why better sunscreens are needed

A new study has revealed that even a low level of daily exposure to a common component of sunlight, ultraviolet A1, or UVA1, can cause skin damage at the molecular level after just a few days. 

The findings by researchers at University of Michigan Medical School highlighted the need for better sunscreens to protect against these damaging rays, and prevent the process that can cause skin to look old, wrinkled and sagging prematurely. 

The researchers showed that damage starts after just two daily exposures to a low amount of ultraviolet A1, or UVA1, light- which makes up most of the UV light we are exposed to throughout the day, and tanning bed light too. 

By showing that repeated exposure to the type of UVA1 light that we typically experience on a sunny day causes these damaging processes in the skin, the researchers hope it will lead to the development of new protective ingredients in sunscreens, and more caution about routine sun exposure throughout the day. 

The researchers were able to measure the effects of UVA1 at the molecular level using advanced gene expression analysis of skin samples from human volunteers. 

The researchers shined a low level of pure UVA1 rays, as might be encountered in daily life, on small areas of 22 volunteers'' buttocks. A day later, they measured changes in skin pigmentation. Then, they took tiny samples of skin, in order to detect which genes had been ''turned on'' by the light exposure. They repeated this process three more times on each participant. 

After just two exposures, UVA1 rays caused skin cells to make molecules that break down the protein called collagen, which makes skin firm, smooth, and youthful in appearance. 

The UVA1 also caused the skin to darken a little with each exposure, but this tan didn''t protect against further production of the collagen-destroying molecule, called matrix metalloproteinase 1 or MMP1, when the skin was exposed to more doses of UVA1. 

There is very little UVB in sunlight, and most UVB exposure is at midday. During the rest of the day it''s mostly UVA, with UVA1 being the majority. UVA1 is also the main component of tanning booth light. So, we wanted to look at whether it can predispose skin to premature aging by simulating repetitive daily exposure. And we found that it can. Furthermore, the mild tanning that occurs does not seem to protect against damage from additional exposures. 

NATURAL HOMEMADE SUNSCREEN

Most sunscreens contain toxic ingredients or endocrine disrupting chemicals that in many cases may actually promote skin cancer growth and free radical production in the body. In fact, in the years since sunscreen use began, skin cancer rates have actually risen, and a 2007 document from the FDA stated that: “The FDA is not aware of data demonstrating that sunscreen use alone helps prevent skin cancer” In fact, many reports show that most sunscreens actually raise skin cancer risk.

Even natural, commercially available sunscreens often have toxic ingredients! 

Considering many people these days are actually Vitamin D deficient, I consider lack of sun exposure to be a much bigger problem than too much exposure. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to many types of cancers including the most deadly types of breast cancer. Lack of Vitamin D has also been linked to problems during pregnancy including pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, premature labor, and more.

As a society, we’ve literally cut off our nose to spite our face when it comes to sun exposure. To avoid skin cancer, which is not a particularly deadly cancer, especially if caught early, we’ve shunned the sun and the Vitamin D our bodies produce with sun exposure.

On top of that, sun exposure itself is not conclusively linked to skin cancer, and many other factors, such as Omega-6 Vegetable Oil consumption can have a big impact on skin health!

In most cases, my approach to sun exposure is to get adequate daily exposure, without getting close to the point of burning. Since most of us don’t work outside these days, it actually takes effort to get daily sun, rather than to avoid it.

In the event that I’m going to be out in the sun for much longer than my skin is used to, it is often easy enough to just put on a hat or shirt to shield my skin.

If none of these options are available, for instance, on a day at the beach in early summer before I’ve been in the sun much, I will very occasionally use natural sunscreen. I’m yet to use it this year, and hope not to at all, but I wanted to share my recipe so that if you are in the sun for extended periods of time this summer, you have a natural option.

This would also be a more natural alternative for really young children, those taking medication that increases sun burn risk, or those who burn very easily.

Just to clarify, even though this natural sunscreen smells great and is naturally moisturizing, I don’t recommend using it daily since the Vitamin D you get from the sun will be more beneficial in the long run!

So ditch those store-bought sunscreens and try your hand at making your own natural sunscreen in your very own kitchen!

NOTE: This is an improved recipe since many people were having trouble getting the temperatures exactly right to get the lotion to emulsify (as per the comments below). This recipe will not have any of those issues!

Natural Homemade Sunscreen Ingredients:

1/2 cup almond or olive oil (can infuse with herbs first if desired)

1/4 cup coconut oil (natural SPF 4)

1/4 cup beeswax

2 Tablespoons Zinc Oxide (This is a non-nano version that won’t be absorbed into the skin. Be careful not to inhale the powder). This makes a natural SPF of 20+ or more can be added.)

Optional: 1 teaspoon Vitamin E oil

Optional: 2 tablespoons Shea Butter (natural SPF 4-5)

Optional: Essential Oils, Vanilla Extract or other natural extracts to suit your preference

How to Make Natural Sunscreen:

Combine ingredients except zinc oxide in a pint sized or larger glass jar. I have a mason jar that I keep just for making lotions and lotion bars, or you can even reuse a glass jar from pickles, olives, or other foods. Fill a medium saucepan with a couple inches of water and place over medium heat. Put a lid on the jar loosely and place in the pan with the water.

As the water heats, the ingredients in the jar will start to melt. Shake or stir occasionally to incorporate. When all ingredients are completely melted, add the zinc oxide, stir in well and pour into whatever jar or tin you will use for storage. Small mason jars (pint size) are great for this. It will not pump well in a lotion pump!

Stir a few times as it cools to make sure zinc oxide is incorporated.

Use as you would regular sunscreen. Best if used within six months.

Additional Notes:

This sunscreen is somewhat, but not completely, waterproof and will need to be reapplied after sweating or swimming. Make sure not to inhale the Zinc Oxide- use a mask if necessary!

This recipe has an SPF of about 20, though adding more Zinc Oxide will increase the SPF. Add more beeswax to make thicker sunscreen, less to make smooth sunscreen. I recommend coconut or vanilla extract or lavender essential oils for fragrance. Store in a cool, dry place or in the fridge.

The following is another customizable homemade sunscreen recipe which uses oils (each with their own natural SPF properties), beeswax (for waterproofness), butters (for creaminess), and essential oils (for a scent-u-ous experience). If you want extra protection, add a non-nano zinc oxide powder which lends its SPF of 20+.

3/4 cup oil: Use any blend of the following: raspberry seed oil (natural SPF 30-50), carrot seed oil (natural SPF 30), wheat germ oil (natural SPF 20), or sesame, coconut, hemp, soy, peanut, or avocado oil (all of which have a natural SPF of 4-10)

1/4 cup beeswax

2 tablespoons butter: Use any combination of shea butter (natural SPF 30), mango butter, or cocoa butter

1 teaspoon vitamin E oil: Optional for its antioxidant properties

20-30 drops essential oil: Choose your favourite scent

2 tablespoons non-nano zinc oxide powder: 

This will give you SPF 20; add more if you want higher protection levels. Be careful not to inhale it.

To make your all-natural sunscreen, combine the first three ingredients in a glass jar, and melt together in a double-boiler style in a pot of water on the stove. Over medium heat with a lid on the jar, wait until everything has melted, then give the mixture a shake. Add the zinc oxide (if using), vitamin E oil, and essential oils and stir well. Pour into your chosen storage containers (small mason jars or recycled deodorant dispensers make good options) and let cool, stirring now and then to ensure the zinc oxide doesn't sink to the bottom. Use as you would regular sunscreen. Shelf life: 6 months.

An Even Faster Way To Make Sunscreen:

Get a bottle of your favorite lotion (that doesn't contain citrus oils!)

Add a couple Tablespoons of Zinc Oxide

Mix well

Use as Sunscreen

A word of caution, however. Experts in skin cancer have pointed out that the science behind proportions of ingredients in today’s traditional sunscreens is fairly exacting in order to achieve the desired protection. Making your own natural sunscreen at home that ensures blockage of UV rays to verifiable SPF levels can be nigh unto impossible, which may leave you vulnerable to the sun’s damaging effects. If you want to avoid this hazard as well as the hazards of traditional sunscreen, your best bet is to cover up and stand in the shade!

SUNBURN HOME REMEDIES

What to "Do" and "Not To Do" for Sunburn

Following are some of the simple tips:
- Avoid excess sun exposure like outing and swimming.

- Never scrub your face excessively and always use natural soaps and lotion.

- Do not apply milk cream or oily lotions to the sunburn affected area as it lead much pigmentation and damage to the skin.

- Drink plenty of water everyday as it keeps the skin which is sunburn moisturized and acts as a good substitute of the fluid which lost by sun exposure.

- Develop a practice of daily skin cleaning using natural face wash or mild soaps.

- Apply natural sun protective cream on the skin before going out to the sun.

- Wear sunglass when you are gong out in the sun.

- Do not use harsh chemical based soap, and face wash for washing sunburn face as it cause inflammation and much damage to the skin.

- Eat fresh fruits that are high in water content such as watermelons, oranges, sweet limes and cantaloupes.

Home remedies for Sunburn

Some effective home remedies:

- Make a paste of some barley powder in milk. Add little olive oil to it. Then add honey and the white of an egg. Blend the whole thing into a consistent paste and apply it on the skin. This method is only effective on face only.

- Prepare a mixture of tomato juice in buttermilk, in the ratio of 1:6 by composition. Apply this mixture on the sunburned parts. This will help the skin to be healed very quickly.

- Take cabbage or lettuce leaves and soak them in cold water or refrigerate them. When they are cold enough, lay them on the affected areas of the skin. This will reduce the sunburns and heal them.

- Dip few drops of rose water in a cold water and have a refreshing bath. This will acts as a good sunburn reliever in the summer days.

- For slightly more aggravated sunburns, you can have a tub bath in cool water, be sure to keep the sunburn areas of your skin for at least fifteen minutes in the water.

- If the sunburn has affected your cheeks and the areas under your ayes, the used tea bags or slices of cucumber, potato and tomato can be placed on these areas.

- Add few drops of sandalwood oil in the cold water and have a refreshing bath. This will cool down and relief the sunburn skin and keeps a healthy balance of your body.

- Add few drops of vinegar in bucket of water and soak a soft cotton cloth and put it on the face (except on eyes0 and other body parts, act as good sunburn reliever.

- Prepare milk and water solution in a ratio of 1:1 and soak a soft cloth in this solution and put on face and other sunburn affected area. This will relieve discomfort caused from sunburn.

- Mix 3-4 tablespoons of oatmeal in the water and take a refreshing bath. This reduces skin itching and irritation.

- Mix few drops of peppermint oil in a bath tub and enjoy the refreshing bath.

- Apply cucumber juice to soften the skin and reduce redness and inflammation of the skin caused due to sunburn. Mix ane tablespoon cucumber juice and one tablespoon milk and dab your face using this solution; this relieves the burning sensation and puffiness caused because of sunburn.

Herbal Remedies for sunburn:

- Aloe-vera (Ghrita kumari) is a natural sunscreen. Apply aloe-vera paste on the skin before going out into the sun. it is a natural barricade to the harmful rays of the sun.


- Sandalwood (Chandana) has cooling properties and is an herbal sunscreen. Apply its paste on the skin before going out into the sun. Dilute the paste otherwise it become too thick and stretches uncomfortably on the skin.


- Apply onion juice on sunburn affected area to keep the skin cool and reduces inflammation.