Sunscreen

For most of you, summer has just arrived or is just around the corner, which means vacation, beach days and fun in the sun! Now, most of us know how important it is to keep our skin protected from the sun and even though sunscreen consumption is higher than ever, the skin cancer rate is at the same time increasing. In fact, scientist have found very little evidence that sunscreen prevents most forms of skin cancer. 

So here are a few things to think about before heading to the beach.

Most of the sunscreens contain ingredients like oxybenzone and retinyl palmite. Oxybenzone is UV filter but also a hormone disruptor and allergen. Retinyl palmite is an antioxidant that fights skin aging. It is also a form of vitamin A that can be harful for the skin. Studies show that it may cause development of skin tumors and lesions when applied to the skin while exposed to sunlight. Despite these evidence, sunscreen products are still allowed to claim they help prevent skin cancer.

Don't be fooled by high-SPF sunscreens. Just because a sunscreen might have an SPF rate of 50+ doesn't mean that you shouldn't apply it as often as an SPF 15. In fact, higher SPF ratings don't offer that much of a bigger protection.

Stay away from sprays. Sunscreen sprays are very popular but pose an inhalation risk and may not provide a thick and even enough coating to protect the skin.

Find a sunscreen that protects from UVB and UVA rays. Not all sunscreens offer a protection for all types of UV damage. High-energy UVB rays only make up 3-5 % of the UV radiation that strikes the earth. UVB rays primarily burn the skin and cause damage to the skin DNA, however, a good sunscreen should also protect the skin from lower-energy UVA rays that penetrate deep into the skins dermis (the thickest layer of the skin).

EWG just released their 10th annual sunscreen guide  where you can find more information about sunscreens and ratings of the best and worst sunscreen products. 

I am currently using a natural / biodegradable sunscreen from Caribbean Solutions with the SPF 15, who also have a great self tanner to safely enhance your tan or keep you bronzed all year round. 
To protect my lips from getting burned I use Hurraw! Sun Balm with SPF 15.

My Sunscreen Products