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!

HAIR CARE IN SUMMER

The summer is approaching and it is getting hotter day by day, your skin and Hair needs a special attention especially from drying and harmful sunrays. It’s necessary to understand the effects of summer season. Summer Skin Care has been already posted in this blog.

Hairs are very important for your graceful personality that is why never ignoring your hair cares especially hair care in summer. You have read enough hair care in summer guidelines and I am sure that following guidelines for hair care in summer will be help full to you.

Protection from Sun
Sun affects not only your skin, it also affect your hair. It’s the enemy of your hairs because it is consist of heat, UVA, UVB rays that can damage your hair.

Overuse of heat appliances
During the summer, over use of hot irons and hair dryers can damage your hairs. Before using a hot iron put a leave in conditioner in your hair.

Chlorine and salt water
Chlorine and salt water can dry, discolour, and damage your hair. It is striping natural protein. You wash your hair thoroughly immediately upon exiting the pool every time with a clarifying shampoo and moisturizing conditioner.

Hair care tips for summer

An effective hair care discipline involves cleansing, toning, conditioning and oiling routines carried out in a systematic fashion.

In summer, hair should be washed three times a week or more, if needed. But use a small quantity of shampoo and choose a mild, herbal one. Regular shampooing of hair frees it from dirt, thus cleansing it and giving it the much desired shiny look. But shampoos must be selected cautiously, according to your hair type- normal, oily or dry. For a specific hair type, a specific shampoo has to be used. But always remember to use a good shampoo or a mild shampoo. A harsh shampoo or soap can cause a great deal of damage to your tresses.

Cleansing of hair
1. Squeezed lemons can be soaked overnight and the water can then be used to clean the hair.

2. Rub lemon juice all over your scalp and leave for 15-20 minutes. Then rinse off.

3. Mix equal quantities of onion and lemon juice and apply to your hair before shampoo.

Toning of hair

Gentle massage of the hair leads to hair toning. It helps to stimulate the blood circulation leading to a healthy growth.

1. AMLA (Emblica Officinalis) is a known hair tonic and a hair nourisher. It also promotes hair pigmentation, which makes the hair look dark. Soak amla in water overnight. Use this water to rinse hair.

2. Mix equal amounts of dried shikakai (Acacia Cancinna), amla (Emblica Officinalis) and reetha (Soapnut) and powder them. They can either be mixed and then powdered or powdered first and then mixed together. Soak 2-3 handfuls of this mixture over night in some water. It should not be too thin. Next day sieve it and use it to wash hair. It also promotes hair growth and prevents dandruff.

Conditioning of hair
It is the most vital part of hair care. It aims at correcting the imbalance, caused due to harsh cleansing, sun or application of harsh chemicals such as hair lotions. After shampooing your hair, apply a good conditioner. A leave- in conditioner forms a coating on the hair preventing dirt and pollution from setting down in the process.

1. Amla, shikakai powder mixed with curd is a good conditioner and should be made use of.

2 Egg is a natural conditioner and gives bounce and shine to the hair

3. Lemon acts as a natural conditioner and used to make hair silkier and add shine to it.

4. BEER You can simply apply flat beer before washing hair. It helps in toning and conditioning the hair. It adds bounce and shine to the hair making it silky and shiny.

Oiling of hair
Oiling at least once a week is necessary which improves the quality of your hair. It strengthens the hair roots, removes dryness in hair, and gets rid of dandruff and repairs hair damage. The application of oil also facilitates the message which helps in the circulation of the blood. This in turn is responsible for good hair

1.Boil some dried amla pieces in coconut oil for a few minutes. Cool and sieve. Massage hair regularly with this oil for thick and lustrous hair. It also works as a hair tonic for enriching hair growth and prevent hair loss

2. Massaging with aroma oils once a week reduces hair fall and makes them soft and silky. Rosemary oil can also be used.

Frequent application of henna (Lawsonia inermis) further dries your hair, but application before a dance party or any other function will help keep hair soft and shiny.

BODY ODOR AND REMEDIES

Everyone experiences body odor from time to time. If you're dealing with ongoing or chronic bad odor, however, perhaps it's time to assess your habits and uncover the root cause of the odor. Several factors can play a role in bad body odor such as personal hygiene habits and diet. Body odor is affected by what sweat glands produce. If body odor is dreadfully disagreeable it may affect your social life. Being anxious or restless could be a indication of body odor. Fortunately, there are tricks to remedy this problem.

Cause of Body odor
Body odor might be due to serious illness. Body odor might be due to kidney disease; fungal infections liver disease and so on if you take a number of strong medicines then the smell of those medicines may be there in your body odor. Diabetic patients may possibly smell of acetone because of insulin that they take.

If you drink alcohol, smoke cigarette or cigar you will have an disagreeable body odor. Body odor may also be due to zinc shortage, cavities, toxins and so on. It is frequently related with sweating of the body, but the unpleasant odor is mainly due to bacteria present in the sweat. The main non-food reason for body odor due to sweating is the sweat glands under the arms and in the groin area. Poor hygiene is the most general reason for body odor.

Home Remedies for Body odor
Remedies for Sweat
Make use of antibacterial soap or deodorant soap to combat body odor due to sweating. Wear cotton clothes throughout summer so that the sweat is soaked up. In its place of using deodorant, wipe your sweat producing parts like armpit using white vinegar or alcohol. Avoid using antiperspirant since they clog sweat glands, use alum instead. Apply some baking soda on armpit, it will soak up sweat and kill bacteria.

Additional Remedies
If your body odor is caused due to any medication that you are on, then you need to speak to your doctor. Immerse yourself for 15 minutes in bath water with couple of cups of tomato juice in it. Make use of baby powder to stay areas of heavy perspiration dry. Apple cider vinegar can be used to battle under arm odor.

Personal Hygiene
It's no secret that daily showers and baths can help remedy bad body odor. However, taking a shower or bath isn't always enough to get rid of a strong odor. Add an antibacterial bath or shower gel to the water to rinse bacteria, germs and other impurities from your body. Apply an antiperspirant and deodorant to underarms and reduce sweating and odor. Apply baby powder to odor-prone areas such as the feet and between the toes. Feminine hygiene sprays can reduce bad body odor in women. It also helps to shower and change your socks and underwear after physical activity.

Diet Consideration
Diet to keep away from
There is a straight relation between what a person eats and his body odor. Certain foods such as onions and garlic add seasoning to foods and enhance the flavor. However, if you consume these foods or seasonings on a regular basis, their scents can escape your body through sweat and produce a bad odor. Stay away from refined sugar, white flour, hydrogenated oils and other processed foods. Avoid red meat because it discharges many toxins into the blood stream. Avoid foods that not have fiber. Keep away from alcohol, caffeine, cumin and garlic.

Consume Healthy Food
Eat a healthy diet, which have whole grains, lots of leafy vegetables, sprouts, fresh fruits, soy products, raw nuts and so on.

Detoxify
Detoxifying helps expel toxins and bacteria from your body that can trigger a bad odor. Sweating is an effective way to remove odor-causing bacteria from your body. Participate in physical activity to induce sweating or relax in a hot sauna to promote sweating and help alleviate bad body odor.

Wash Your Clothes
While daily bathing is essential to fighting bad body odor, washing your clothes regularly also plays a role in odor. The underarms of shirts can have a lingering odor, which intensifies when your body temperature rises. Regularly wash your clothes in detergent or have the items professionally cleaned to alleviate odors.

Additional suggestions for Body Odor
Not at all repeat unwashed clothes, particularly undergarments during summer, it will aggravate the odor. Wax your armpits frequently. People who wear shoes for lengthy time complain of foot odor. It is caused by rapid bacteria development due to excess sweating of feet. To avoid foot odor wear cotton socks, never use socks continually. Wash your feet appropriately. If possible wear open footwear like leather sandals. All the above-mentioned remedies for body odor can be used to avoid foot odor

SUMMER SKINCARE

Summer time can mean absolute hell for the skin, of course, unless you live in cold regions. Except for the essential vitamin D in the morning and some warmth for the body when it’s cold, too much sun can cause severe damage.

Exposure to severe sun can dehydrate your skin cells making them withered and shrunk. The ultraviolet rays, especially the intense ones during midday, can wreak havoc with the collagen and elastin under your skin.

Some dos and don’ts of summer skincare that can help you prevent skin damage.

Don’ts of summer skincare

Smoking and Alcohol are extremely dehydrating. Smoking strips your facial skin of its moisture causing it to dry up and wrinkle faster. It is better to cute down on smoking and quit entirely if possible.

When you consume alcohol the body tries the pH levels of blood back to normal which results in dehydration. So cut down on alcohol during summer time.

Harsh Soaps or Skin Scrubs
Limit and decrease using soaps and scrubs as much as possible. As it is , you sweat during summer which means your skin pores are already getting cleansed.

Using soap too many times will strip your skin of its natural oils. So, instead, if you are feeling sweaty and need to cool your body down try taking showers without soap.

Makeup and Creams
It is necessary to keep your skin moisturized and to apply make up on your face. However, going around in the sun with so many chemicals on your face will only harm your skin than do you any good.

The chemicals along with the sun rays and sweat make a really bad combination to deal with. You would also run the risk of getting your skin pores clogged with the grease and all the dirt that can stick to those oils. So keep it to the minimum and use the basic make up rather than going heavy.
Dos of summer skin care
Drink lots of water

The most important “do” of summer skin care is to stay hydrated throughout the day. The heat and summer temperatures will cause you to sweat constantly which means you loss water and electrolytes a lot. So keep drinking water as much as possible, at least an average two to three litres in a day.

Make it a point to much on all the summer fruits available to you, especially watermelon and other liquidly fruit. Along with replenishing your water stores, they will also provide electrolytes. Instead of taking cold soft drink, alcohol or energy drinks try to rely on fruit or vegetable juices as much as possible.

Fruit Face Masks
Summer is the time to pamper your skin with natural skin care products. Instead of getting massages and facials with chemical products go organic and natural, and use fruit and vegetables to make your skin look better. Try a watermelon face mask or any fruit that you would prefer.

Apply sunscreen or Moisturizer
The minimum of chemicals that can be rather should be on your skin, should either be of a sunscreen or a mild moisturizer. It is not wise to expose your bare skin to direct sun. Applying sunscreen or a thin layer of moisturizer prevents your skin from getting sun burnt.

Read about Hair Care in Summer