We are constantly being told to protect ourselves against the sun, with an ever increasing level of SPF sunscreens on offer. We are also being told we need vitamin D from the sun for our health. So how do we do both? In this blog post I dive into the risks and benefits of the big orange ball in the sky, and how best to approach sunscreens.
Why do I need sunshine?
Sunshine is vital for health and can boost mood. It also helps our bodies to produce vitamin D, a hormone essential for immune health and the function of many other systems in the body. In fact, vitamin D deficiency has been linked to a wide range of health disorders including cancer, autoimmune disease, depression and high blood pressure. Vitamin D is difficult to obtain through the diet and so vitamin D supplements are increasingly prescribed. However, there have been several recent articles published about vitamin D supplementation and how its efficacy has been shown to be questionable (see example here). The only other alternative for obtaining vitamin D is via the sun. But how can do I this without getting burnt or increasing my risk of skin cancer?
How does our skin deal with the sun?
For the most part, our skin is not designed to withstand long periods of time in the sun. When we do, our body creates melanin, a pigment which gives the skin its color and helps protect the skin from some forms of sun damage (think tanning and pigmentation). In a nutshell, the darker your natural skin tone, the more melanin your skin contains, the less likely you are to burn. When you do get sunburnt, DNA damage occurs in the skin cells. Under normal circumstances, a healthy body repairs this DNA damage and you’re none the wiser. However, under certain circumstances this DNA damage can lead to some types of skin cancer, particularly basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
Okay so I’m pretty fair skinned and feel I need sunscreen, but there are so many levels of sunscreen. How do I figure out which one I need?
This all depends on how much time you’re planning on spending in the sun. SPF numbers can be misleading as there is not a massive difference between SPF 15 and SPF 50 when it comes to UVB rays (see below).
In my opinion, if you’re only spending a limited amount of time in the sun on any given day, SPF 15 is all you need. However, if you’re heading to the beach or off on a bushwalk, which means you’ll be spending hours in the sun, grab the SPF 30 or 50.
How do I get my vitamin D from the sun without increasing my risk of skin cancer?
Even the Cancer Council states that “the best source of vitamin D is UVB radiation from the sun”. Their recommendation for maintaining adequate vitamin D levels is to spend a few minutes outdoors on most days of the week when the UV Index is 3 or above (such as during summer). Sun protection is recommended when spending extended periods of time outdoors, especially when the UV index is at its highest.
What level of sun protection does your Protect + Clarify Daily Face Lotion offer?
Our Protect + Clarify Daily Face Lotion has been formulated to protect skin from UV rays with a level of zinc oxide designed to meet SPF 15 standards. This means it’s perfect for daily use. It’s also important to note that this level of zinc spreads on invisible - no more ghost face.
Basically, I made it for the women and men like myself who spend most of their day in the office but are constantly being told we need some level of sun protection, even if we only spend 15-30 minutes in the sun. It also has other benefits including:
Do I need to wear sunscreen every day?
Yes! And it's so easy with our Protect + Clarify Daily Face Lotion. When I apply it first thing in the morning, it feels so good because I know I'm giving my skin the protection it needs to prevent damage from the sun, helping to reduce any damage I've already done (back when I didn't used to wear sunscreen daily) and helping my skin appear hydrated and healthy. It's a no brainer.
Learn more about Protect + Clarify Daily Face Lotion
As a naturopath, I’m always thinking about dietary and lifestyle recommendations to complement my organic skin care range. Drinking herbal teas has got to one of the easiest and most effective things you can do to further benefit skin. Not only do they taste great but the actives in herbs are absorbed and taken-up quicker than supplements.
Spring is the perfect time to take stock of your skincare products, reboot your beauty routine and get yourself set up for the sun to come.
Here's how: Step 1 - ‘Spring clean’ your skincare
Go through your beauty cabinet and get rid of anything you haven’t used for the last 12 months or anything that isn’t pulling its weight.
As a Naturopath I have treated many skin conditions over the years but some of them you see more than others. Eczema and dermatitis are most definitely my number one. And as the weather is cooling, now is the time when flare ups most commonly occur.
Although it can be caused by a multitude of factors, there are lots of ways to reduce eczema occurrence, and sometime eradicate it for good. Here is what I know about eczema and what you can do about it.
