While I truly believe that you can eat your sunscreen instead of applying it topically to your body… (I’ll talk more about that in a bit!). The truth is that most of us won’t take weeks to prepare ahead of time like the “internal sunscreen” option requires and oftentimes we don’t live beachside, so for the most part we specifically need a way to prevent sun burning when we go on vacation or we’re spending an afternoon at the park on a sunny day!
While we used to live on Oahu, the eating our sunscreen option was a lot easier to do since we were in the harsh sunshine basically every single day. We were much better set up to prepare for long-term sun exposure. Now that we’re back on the mainland and not ocean-side, we like to have a clean sunscreen or two on hand for some quick protection if we’re going to be outside very long.
This brand is just amazing all the way through. This is a top pick for us and affordable as well!
Check PriceWe are also BIG proponents of getting lots of sun exposure before applying any sunscreen as well. The morning time sunshine is my favorite to soak up before applying sunscreen. Typically the UV rays are less intense and it just feels so amazing on the skin! The absolute best way to get Vitamin D is directly from the sun without wearing any sunscreen or sunglasses.
Are sunglasses dangerous?
Another habit to break is Sunglasses. Take them off and let your eyes receive natural light from the sun. I am NOT saying to stare at the sun… rather that your pineal gland is light-responsive and helps to regulate hormones. When we remove the ability for our eyes to soak up the suns rays all the time, we are messing with the way our bodies were made to receive the sun’s rays and convert them into the proper balances that we need to thrive. Here is an excerpt with links for you to do a more deep dive into that one if you want!
The hypothalamus is that part of the brain which mediates all of the vital processes of the body via its immediate and direct connections to the pituitary gland and the autonomic nervous system. The hypothalamus is filled with light sensitive cells which convert the electromagnetic signal of light into a neurochemical impulse which is then carried directly into the pituitary Gland. The pituitary , in turn, elaborates and secretes hormones within the body, thereby maintaining homeostasis. Learning all this makes us think when to wear sunglasses and also not to put them at little children’s eyes. http://freeport1953.com/wearing-sunglasses-can-affect-your-pineal-gland/
For these reasons our family tries to limit the amount of time we wear sunglasses because sunglasses limit the light traveling from the eyes to the pineal gland. Eyeglasses and contact lenses rob you of the energy by blocking some of the ultra violet rays that travel through the eyes to the pineal gland.
Common Toxins In Sunscreen
Did you know that there are about 900 sunscreens available? And that of that HUGE number, the Environmental Working Group says that almost three-quarters of them don’t work? I am going to break down the most common toxins in these sunscreens so you know what to look out for and why they are harmful for you.
- OXYBENZONE– This causes allergic conditions to skin. It is an endocrine disruptor. In females the exposure to oxybenzone has been linked to an increased risk of endometriosis, while in males, researchers found that adolescent boys with more oxybenzone measurements had much lower total testosterone levels.
- HOMOSALATE– “Homosalate has been found to penetrate the skin, disrupt hormones and produce toxic breakdown byproducts over time (Krause 2012, Sarveiya 2004, SCCNFP 2006, MATTA 2020).” -EWG
- OCTISALATE– This one has been shown to disrupt the endocrine system and can cause contact dermatitis.
- OCTINOXATE– Studies in 2006 show that there were hormone effects on the metabolic system and thyroid hormone production. While another study by Krause in 2012 shows some evidence for androgen and progesterone signaling.
- OCTOCRYLENE– This one has documented effects of skin allergies, it is often contaminated with the carcinogen benzophenone .
- AVOBENZONE– This is an un-stable chemical, so it has to be paired with other ingredients to stabilize it so that it doesn’t just break down in the sun. This also effects the endocrine system and can block the effects of testosterone.
- TITANIUM DIOXIDE– THIS IS CLASSIFIED AS A POSSIBLE HUMAN CARCINOGEN. If that isn’t enough… Titanium Dioxide is usually found in mineral sunscreens because it’s in the form of “nano-particles”… These are the small particles that are quickly absorbed into the skin and the body systemically.
Toxin Free Sunscreens and Clean Sunscreen Options
So, now that you know what to avoid, let me help you figure out what to use! There are actually several good and clean options available. Like with every single category that we look at, there are always swaps that are “clean”, “cleaner”, and “cleanest”… Of course, taking any step towards fewer toxins is great. Removing all of them is ideal and the preferred way to go, but sometimes that is too expensive all at once. I am going to list several options here and also list off our faves based on being the “cleanest” options. When you think about sunscreens and after sun lotions we have to remember they are rubbed directly onto our skin, and our families skin which is the largest organ of our entire bodies. We absolutely have to care about what we rub onto our skin as it gets absorbed into our bloodstream, and we oftentimes also inhale the toxins, especially when it is applied to our faces.
If you are using a mineral sunscreen, that is great, but make sure you are using one that has non-nano particles in it. That was the particles are too large to be absorbed into the skin. The downside of mineral sunscreens is that they can often make you appear white-ish.
Tinted Sunscreen for Face – SPF 30 Tinted Mineral Sunscreen Face Stick Sun Screen, Tinted Face Sunscreen Stick, Face Sunblock Face Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin, Travel Size Sunscreen, Zinc Sunscreen
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Cocokind Daily SPF, Face Sunscreen, Mineral Sunscreen with Zinc Oxide, Unscented, Reef Safe Sunscreen with SPF 32 Protection
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SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen Spray – Reef Safe Spray Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin for Kids Sunscreen Spray, Toddler Sunscreen, Baby Sunscreen Spray, Sunblock Spray, Suntan Lotion Spray Sunscreen SPF 30
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This is one of the cleanest sunscreen products around and it’s also affordable, so it falls into our FAVE category!
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Badger SPF 15 Mineral Sunscreen Lip Balm (4 Pack) – Reef-Friendly Broad-Spectrum SPF Lip Balm with Zinc Oxide – Unscented, .15 oz
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SPF Lip Balm Pack – SPF 15 Reef Friendly, Water Resistant Lip Sunscreen Made with Organic Ingredients, Lip Balm with SPF, Lip Balm With Sunscreen Chapstick Lip Balm for Men, Women & Children – Pina Colada
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Toxin Free After-Sun Skin Care
Oftentimes, after a full day in the sun we look for a good and soothing after sun lotion or cream. Just like when looking for sunscreen, we need to make sure that we are using a toxin-free soothing cream as well. Here are some of our faves in that category as well.
Deep Healing Skin Serum – Use after too much sun!
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Cooling After Sun Care Spray – With Organic Aloe Vera Gel, Aloe Vera Gel Spray for Sunburn Relief Aloe Vera Spray, Aloe Gel Spray, Aloe Vera Gel for Skin Cooling Gel After Sun Lotion, Cool Down Skin Spray
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This is not only reducing your toxin load, it feels like silk and is affordable. Earthley Wellness does it again!
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Beauty by Earth Aloe Vera Gel – Aloe Vera Plant for After Sun Lotion, Pure Aloe Vera Gel for Skin Care, Aloe Gel is Best for Face, Hair & Soothing Skincare
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Eat Your Sunscreen?
Now, finally… If you are wanting to eat your sunscreen instead of applying it, there are a few things you should take to build up levels inside your body to help ward off burning and harmful rays. However; this is not medical advice and just my opinions. You should always speak to your trusted health care provider first.
- Make sure you eat a diet with good fats from real foods. Foods like vegetables, fish and omega 3’s.
- Increase your Vitamin D
- Make sure you get moderate sun exposure and then work up to more slowly.
- Move to shade and apply some toxin free sunscreen if you start to feel like you’ve overdone it.
- Astaxanthin
- Vitamin D3 pills or drops
- Vitamin C
- Omega 3’s
Click on these options for all your sun-care needs and see which one fits your budget and needs best. All of our picks can be found on our website by clicking on this link or searching through our product recommendations.
Make sure you let us know if there are other favorite products you find along the way!