Oddly enough, there is currently no consensus on whether sunscreens prevent skin cancer. The FDA’s 2007 draft sunscreen safety regulations say: “FDA is not aware of data demonstrating that sunscreen use alone helps prevent skin cancer”.
We can’t get away from exposing our skin to the sun but if you are going to be in direct sunlight; sunscreens can help prevent sunburns, skin aging, wrinkles, and cell damage.
Here are tips for to keep your skin beautiful, healthy, and toxic-free while in the sun:
1. Use a Cream-based Sunscreen with SPF 30
Avoid sprays and powders which may not be safe to breathe. Choose cream sunscreen instead and make sure the SPF is 30 or higher.
2. Read the Ingredients
Avoid sunscreens that contain oxybenzone, it’s a synthetic estrogen that has been linked to allergies, hormone disruption, and low birth weight in baby girls. Instead look for sunscreens that contains zinc, titanium dioxide, avobenzone or Mexoryl SX. These ingredients protect skin from harmful UVA radiation, with little penetrating into the body.
3. Avoid Sunscreen with Vitamin A
Eating foods rich in vitamin A is great for your skin, but new FDA data shows that tumors and lesions may develop sooner on skin coated with creams containing vitamin A when exposed to direct sunlight. Vitamin A, may be listed as “retinyl palmitate” or “retionol” on sunscreen labels.
4. Get Lost of Vitamin D
Vitamin D is very important – it strengthens bones, our immune system, and reduces the risk of various cancers. While the main source of vitamin D is sunlight – experts dissagree on if it’s safe to get it from the sun. Eitherway you can get adequate amounts from a healthy diet that includes foods naturally rich in vitamin D: like dairy products and fish, fortified milk, cereals, and vitamin D supplements.
5. Avoid Tanning Beds
Ultraviolet light from the sun and tanning beds dramatically increase the risk of Melanoma, which is the most deadly form of skin cancer. This type of light can also increase skin aging, wrinkling, and cause cell damage.
So what’s the best sunscreen? The Environmental Working Group releases each year, a report of the safest, least toxic, and most effective sunscreen products available to consumers.
This year the top sunscreens include:
Checkout the full list of sunscreens to find the best sun protection for you.
To learn more about Charmaine, visit Glamology.com
