Memorial day weekend often signifies the start of summer, which also means more time in the sun. If you’re part cat like I am, you’ll often seek out a sunny patch and bask all day! But while I love the sun, I love protecting my body from harmful UV rays even more. You may have seen my post on Instagram yesterday talking about my favorite sunscreen products, which I’ll mention later in this post. Yesterday was Don’t Fry Day as declared by the the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention. Being a very fair-haired, pale-skinned person, I take my sun protection very seriously. Unfortunately, most people don’t, which has resulted in skin cancer being the most common type of cancer in the United States with 5.5 million Americans diagnosed each year. Sun protection isn’t just for your skin, but also your hair, eyes, and lips. Here are some easy tips to stay safe, even while enjoying the outdoors.
Wear a broad spectrum sunscreen of at least 30 SPF. Make sure to apply frequently throughout the day, at least every 2 hours.
- Seek shade during the peak sun hours, whether that be a tree, umbrella, or picnic shelter.
- Wear sun-protective clothing such as a hat and UV blocking sunglasses.
- Use extra caution near reflective elements like water, sand, and snow as they reflect the sun’s rays back on you.
Why Chemical Free Sunscreen?
You may have seen sunscreen in the news a lot recently due to many common products containing chemicals. Research shows that our skin, being very porous, absorbs whatever we put on it, including chemicals in skincare and make-up. I have sensitive skin and break-out easily so anything that prevents that is something I’m on board with. The common sunscreen products we’ve all grown up with haven’t had reported internal side effects in humans, but as I’ve mentioned, my skin reacts to a lot of different chemicals. Mineral ingredients such as zinc oxide and titanium oxide have proven to be safe alternatives and are now being used in many brands, including the sunscreen I currently use.
the Sun and your Hair
While sunscreen protects your skin, your hair is also easily damaged by UV rays. Have you ever noticed that your hair gets lighter in the summer? Yeah, I always thought that was a good thing. Too much sun exposure does lighten hair, but in the process makes it dry and brittle. Treating your hair with moisture helps return your texture to normal. Using a hair mask, oil, or moisturizing shampoo is a great option.
You can also use a hat to keep you hair and scalp covered. Your hair is meant to act as a covering for the sensitive skin on your scalp and it you’ve ever burned your scalp, you know just how painful that can be. I used to spray my scalp with sunscreen, making my hair super oily for days, but I really don’t enjoy having blisters on my head. My collection of hats have become lifesavers for when I’m planning a day in the sun. I recently discovered a hair care line that actually includes a sun-protectant in their products. Yes, you read that correctly, I found shampoo and conditioner that actually protect my strands from the sun! Plus it’s also free of harmful chemical that give me scalp irritation.
My Recommended Sunscreen Products
Wanting to make the switch to safer skin and hair products but don’t know where to start? Here are my recommendations. I personally use all of these products and absolutely love them, which is why I’m recommending them.
- Beautycounter Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Lotion: at SPF 30, this sunscreen uses zinc to bounce the sun’s rays off your body and protect your skin without using harmful or toxic chemicals.
- Beautycounter Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer: My face is super sensitive to sunscreen but this tinted moisturizer hydrates my skin without breakouts and protects it from the sun. It comes in 5 different shades and provides light, natural coverage without chemicals that often irritate the skin.
- Rejuvenique Oil by Monat: This stuff is LIQUID GOLD! Using it on your hair adds hydration to strands, while a scalp treatment keeps your roots healthy and strong. Strong hair covers your scalp and protects that delicate skin from the sun’s rays.
- Monat Shampoo and Conditioner: Just like skin, sun damages hair strands making them brittle and causes color to fade. All Monat products contain Crodasorb, an ingredient that acts as sunscreen for your hair strands.
If you’re interested in switching to safer products, there are a ton of great options out there. I suggest reading labels, finding research articles and doing your homework. Since many of these products do come at a higher cost, I recommend finding someone who sells the ones you’re interested in and request samples. Everyone’s body reacts to products differently and by trying multiple products, you can see what works best for you before making a large investment. If you are interested in trying Beautycounter, I can hook you up with my girl Shannon, a fellow RD who is killing the chemical-free product game, or follow this link to find a consultant near you. If you want to try Monat hair products, you can fill out this form to either request samples or purchase products specifically formulated to your hair type. Got more questions about sun protection or chemical-free products? Comment below!
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