Growing up, I spent my summers on Lake Wawasee in Indiana. It was, and still is, one of my favorite places on Earth! I have very fair skin and back in the day, I used to spend hours in the water and burn like crazy — I remember not being happy having to swim in a big white t-shirt. Now, we have some pretty potent sunscreens that are almost like wearing a t-shirt. But you have to have the right ingredients to do the job without adding harmful toxins. So what are the chemicals and toxins we should be concerned about? My dermatologist Dr. Capek has these requirements when choosing a sunscreen.
Don’t use anything with Oxybenzone
This chemical is able to penetrate the skin and it is an endocrine disrupter. Some doctors and medical organizations disagree because in their opinion there has not been enough evidence yet to show that the small amount absorbed can cause a negative effect. I’m not taking any chances. Why put yourself at any risk? There are plenty of good sunscreens out there without it.
Must have titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide
All sides agree that these are “must have” ingredients when looking for a safe sunscreen. It totally blocks the UVA and UVB rays from penetrating the skin. Although these sunscreens used to have a reputation for leaving a chalky film, new formulations are micronized so that they’re barely visible.
I love Protect by Beautycounter: it’s light and doesn’t have the oxybenzone. It has a higher amount of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide than most sunscreens without the chalky film. No looking like a ghost face with this one!
Another option that you can find at most drug stores are baby sunscreens by Banana Boat or Neutrogena. To save a little cash, use Rite Aid’s version: it has the same ingredients.
In addition to taking care of the exterior of your skin, hydrating and protecting from the inside are equally important.
Here is a refreshing smoothie that is perfect for starting your day or rejuvenating your body while sitting by the pool.
Enjoy the Sun!
Denise