With the rising cost of living, fuel, and food, beach vacations, and travel may not be an option for your family, but you can still get outside and get some fresh air and vitamin D no matter where you are.

Forty percent of people are deficient in vitamin D. The recommended daily allowance of vitamin D for an adult is 800-1000 IU. Doctors recommend a diet rich in vitamin D foods along with 5-15 minutes of unprotected midday sun several times per week since regular sun exposure is the simplest and most natural way to get vitamin D. If you have darker skin or live further from the equator where the sun’s rays are not as strong, you may need more than 15 minutes outside.

woman sitting between brown trees — Photo by Baurzhan Kadylzhanov on Pexels.com

Chemical vs Mineral Sunscreen

Chemical Sunscreen

Chemical UV filter sunscreens contain toxins such as oxybenzone, octinoxate, homosalate, and octocrylene to aid in absorbing the sun’s rays safely but are then absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream.

These chemicals can also be inadvertently passed to babies through the breast milk of nursing mothers. Potential side effects of these toxins in chemical sunscreens include neurological, hormonal, and reproductive problems or inflammation in the brain causing cognitive impairment.

Mineral Sunscreen

Mineral sunscreen reflects the sun’s UV rays instead of absorbing them like chemical sunscreen. The active ingredient in mineral sunscreen is usually titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. Mineral sunscreens are considered safer than toxin-filled chemical sunscreens but can leave a white residue on the skin (and clothing) and make the skin feel sticky.

woman seated on textile applying suncsreen — Photo by RF._.studio on Pexels.com

BEWARE of products advertised as “pure” and “natural”!

The terminology and symbols on the ingredient panel of sunscreen and other health and beauty products can be difficult to translate.

Some products may be advertised as “Natural” or “Pure” but can still contain toxic ingredients. There is little to no regulation on the labeling of products this way.

Learn ways to decode these labels by educating yourself on labeling terms and symbols or using an app like EWG‘s Healthy Living app.

bottle of nourishing cream on white table — Photo by Ann Poan on Pexels.com

My Top 4 Mineral Sunscreen Picks:

*Kiss My Face Kids Defense Continuous Sunscreen Spray, SPF 50

*Supergoop 100% Mineral Sunscreen Mist, SPF 30

*ATTITUDE Mineral Baby and Kids Sunscreen Lotion, Fragrance-free, SPF 30

*Love Sun Body Natural Mineral Sunscreen, Fragrance-free, SPF 50

For other safe, toxin-free sunscreens, check out EWG’s Guide to Sunscreens.

Choose Wisely

So when you are able to get outside, don’t forget to protect yourself and your little ones from the sun AND from harsh toxins and chemicals by choosing a clean, mineral-based sunscreen.

I have filled you in on my favorites and I would love to hear what your favorites are too!

Did you know the average person is exposed to over 500 chemicals and toxins from products they use in their daily routines?

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), many beauty, hygiene, and cleaning products have toxins that can cause a wide variety of side effects, from headaches and indigestion to more serious conditions including an increased risk of cancer.

assorted eye shadow and blusher palette — Photo by zhugewala on Pexels.com

Daily Toxin Exposure

The average person uses approximately 12 products on a daily basis. Women use more products than men on average and teens can use as many as 17 or more products daily containing hundreds of toxic chemicals.

It is scary to think that you and your family may be using harmful products on a daily basis. Research has shown numerous common products contain toxins and chemicals such as lead, aluminum, phthalates, mercury, arsenic, parabens, and so much more! These toxic chemicals have been proven to cause a wide range of ailments including allergies, hormonal and neurological issues, infertility, and cancer.

I have felt so guilty just thinking about how many toxins I am exposing my children to regularly and this has motivated me to ACTION!

makeup brushes on case — Photo by Mateusz Dach on Pexels.com

Green Your Routine

When I first started my less toxic journey, it was overwhelming to think about greening our whole routine all at once, especially replacing favorite products I have used for years. It was less intimidating and more manageable, at least for me, to replace products slowly, focusing on one at a time. Finding a cleaner alternative can take some research, and perhaps some trial and error, in order to the right product for you and your family, but I assure you, there is one out there! And if all else fails, I probably have a simple natural recipe for you to try instead.

Here are a few simple steps to begin greening your routine:

Less is MORE! It is not necessary to use so many health and beauty products! Pare down the products you are using. Keep it simple.
Read labels. If you cannot pronounce it, it’s probably not good for you. Educate yourself.
Avoid products with added fragrances. Chemicals used to make fragrances are absorbed through the skin into the blood. These toxic chemicals are categorized as allergens, hormone disruptors, neurotoxins and carcinogens.
Get crafty and make your own cleaning (and/or beauty) products. My favorite homemade cleaner recipe is a great one for beginners to try. In a 12 oz. spray bottle, add 8 oz. water, 3 oz. white vinegar and 1 oz. lemon juice. This simple antibacterial spray works fantastic for wiping down counters in the kitchen or scrubbing soap scum in the bathtub.
Use an APP. EWG has a great app where you can scan product barcodes and give you feedback on the ingredients and their toxicity levels. There are many other similar apps out there too!

Detoxifying your lifestyle can have many positive effects including making you feel better, improving your overall health, and reducing your risk of side effects from toxic chemicals. And since many toxins have many aging effects, cutting them out in your daily routine will also help you look better too!

Tag: natural products

Protect Yourself Against the Sun AND Toxins