I’ve come across some great reads about vitamin D, sunscreen, and sunless tanner over the past couple of days, so I decided I’d included them in a single post if you’re interested.
First, vitamin D. The short of it is, a lot of people are Vitamin D deficient whether they know it or not. Maybe it’s from all of the fear we have created about sun exposure? The truth is, we do need sun in healthy UN-SUNSCREENED doses to ward off cancer, disease and depression. This article on Goop by Frank Lipman, MD lays it all out- what Vitamin D really is (it’s not really a vitamin at all!), how much we need, and how to get it in a healthy way. I found the article not only interesting but a little liberating… I don’t have to feel guilty every time I get a little sun.
Now, onto sun protection. I found this post on The Green Girls– Greener sunscreens that won’t leave you red. The problem with most sunscreens are of course the chemicals they contain to block UVA and UVB rays. Some of these chemicals are so tiny they are absorbed into the skin and can enter the bloodstream. Yikes! Your best bet is to use a mineral based sunscreen. The post includes a list of brands to try out as well as some other helpful hints. I found these two suggestions to be especially fascinating; I had never heard them before:
- Look for sunscreens that include anti-oxidants - With sun exposure, free radical formation is inevitable, but damage to your skin can be minimized with the use a topical Vitamin C or anti-oxidant product at night, especially after a day in the sun. Also look for mineral sunscreens that are high in anti-oxidants like green tea.
- Avoid sunscreen with Vitamin A (added to 41% of all sunscreens). An FDA study indicates that a form of vitamin A, retinyl palmitate, when applied to the skin in the presence of sunlight, may speed the development of skin tumors and lesions.
For the rest of the helpful hints or to read the entire post click HERE.
There is also a great list of Cruelty-Free Vegan Sunscreens, Sunless Tanners, and Insect Repellents on Peta2. Check it, HERE.
In case you aren’t getting the desired level of golden tanned skin through your healthy levels of sun exposure, Courtney from Eco-Cupscious posted about her favorite brand of sunless tanner, Alba, on her blog. It runs for about $10 a bottle, is moisturizing and doesn’t streak. I love reading her reviews and recommendations… always helpful! I’m definitely going to give it a try.
Photography by Nina Leen. Found on Much Love
