Natural Sunscreen

Natural Sunscreen

It’s summer and while sun protection should be utilized all year long, it’s especially important when the sun’s rays are stronger and you’re spending more time outdoors.

I wanted to share some information about:

1. Dietary: Natural foods and nutrients that act as sun blockers and boost the effect of sunscreen.
2. Topical : What ingredients you should look for in a sunscreen product
3. Mechanical: Options for skin protection beyond lotions

Dietary Sunscreen

We know that UV rays from the sun increase our risk of skin cancer, but it’s not just UV we need to be concerned about.

Infrared rays (IR), the rays that make your skin feel physically warm, also contribute to premature aging of the skin.

Visible light coming in through windows and from fluorescent bulbs at your workplace too contributes to premature aging and hyperpigmentation of your skin.

A study from 2008 revealed that visible light induces damage through the generation of free radicals. [Reference: Effects of visible light on the skin. Photochemistry and Photobiology 2008 ]

You can’t hide away in a cave…

Obviously, you’re not going to stay away from all light, so what sensible strategies can you use?

This answer may come as a surprise: nutrients found in healthy food can act to augment and strengthen not only your sunscreen, but your body’s inherent ability to fight against premature aging, hyperpigmentation and loss of collagen.

Sunscreen alone is failing

Sunscreens obviously aren’t enough when you consider the high rates of melanoma, basal cell, and squamous cell cancers. It’s estimated that someone dies every hour of the day from melanoma – preventable cancer.

So let’s get smarter about it and make some simple changes in our diet and lifestyle.

Free radicals are one of the biggest causes of premature aging and skin cancer.

Free radicals trigger inflammation and they target the cell membranes in your skin, breaking them down.

The result?

Aging skin, sagging skin, and increased risk of skin cancer.

The solution?

Quench those free radicals with anti-oxidants! You can find anti-oxidants in richly colored fruits, vegetables, nuts, and beans.

How?

Ensure you have plenty of anti-oxidants flowing through your bloodstream by eating enough fresh vegetables, fruit and perhaps taking an anti-oxidant supplement if required.

Studies demonstrate that treatment with antioxidants, both topically and internally, prior to sun protects your skin against infrared as well as UVB and UVA.

Antioxidants, with their ability to scavenge free radicals, are a valuable adjunct to topical sunscreens. They lend protection against the effects of sun exposure such as skin cancer and hyperpigmentation. [Reference: Skin Research and Technology 2006]

A more recent study that looked at the formation of free radicals by infrared radiation found a decrease of diminishment of free radicals while, at the same time, the preservation of collagen fibers (meaning less wrinkles) when the skin was treated with the antioxidant beta carotene. [Reference: Skin Pharmacology and Physiology 2016.]

The Gut Connection

We’ve all heard of probiotics for gut health, but did you know that certain strains of probiotics have a UV protective effect and actually lessen damage from the sun’s rays?
I didn’t know this either until I listened to the author of the new book “Dirty Skin”, Dr. Whitney Bowe.

Dr. Bowe recommends a variety of probiotics, including lactobacillus, bifidobacteria, etc.

Vitamin D

Healthy vitamin D3 levels are protective of bone health and may have anti-cancer benefits, but soaking up the sun to gain better levels is probably not the best idea when it comes to skin health.

Topical Sunscreen

The skin experts recommend you wear sunscreen rain or shine, inside or out, all year long. Why? Remember it’s not just the sun’s rays it’s also visible light causing damage.

The quality of sunscreen is important. You want to avoid the ones containing toxic parabens and sulfates that not only harm you but our environment.

Look for sunscreen containing zinc and titanium. They utilize a nanotechnology that breaks these minerals into very tiny particles, that, as of this writing, are considered safe and won’t make you look like a white ghost when you apply them.

Mechanical Sunscreen

Here is where clothing, hats, and sunglasses come in. While the experts agree that you should try to stay indoors between about 11 am and 2 pm in hot, sunny climates, when you are out in the sun you can employ mechanical tools over and above lotions.

There are some nice clothing lines that provide UPF (UV protection factor) within the fabric itself. From pants to tops to shorts, these clothes can allow you to slather on less sunscreen in the areas protected by the clothes. A local line, Athleta, carries a nice variety, but look online for what suits you.

How’s Your Skin?

If you’ve had skin cancer before or any issues with the health of your skin, contact me for a free consultation. The skin is your largest organ and it’s very affected by the health of your gut and immune system.

These are two areas we excel in optimizing and would be delighted to help you take your skin health to the next level.

We can help.

Contact us for a consultation – Call (727) 335-0400.

If you are not local to us you can still receive help; our Destination Clinic treats patients from across the country and internationally.

We help the world’s busiest people regain, retain, and reclaim their health, energy, and resilience.

If you liked this blog please share it with friends and family.