The sun has been such a hot topic this summer and I want to be sure to give it the coverage it deserves, (See what I did there?) But because of the amount of stress that’s being put on using a non-toxic lotion, I want to emphasize that we simply don’t need to wear sunscreen on a day-to-day basis. Not that we don’t need it at all, because we certainly do. But that with all things, sunscreen included, balance is key.
Strangely enough, the reason why most of us use sunscreen in our makeup year round or slather it on before ever spending any amount of time in the sun, is blocking a crucial element that comes from the sun. this element actually protects against many cancers; vitamin d.
Unfortunately, 50% of the US population aren’t getting enough vitamin d with some populations having even higher levels of deficiency. And it’s crucial to note that over 60% of American children are vitamin d deficient.
According to the Environmental Working Guide, when you use sunscreen, the chances are higher that you’re more likely to spend longer in the sun overall and therefore increase your exposure to more harmful rays.
So what can you do about it?
Expose Your Skin to the Sun
Allow yourself to bask in the sunlight SPF free for at least 20 minutes a day. When your body is exposed to the sun, it makes vitamin d. So naturally the more you’re exposed to it, the more vitamin d your body will make. And considering how much vitamin d helps with the flu and other viruses, I’ll take all of it I can get.
Choose SPF Free Makeup
Ladies, leave the sunscreen out of your makeup. Depending on where you live, there’s a chance that it may be hard to get enough sun exposure you need in the first place. This is a great time to leave your face exposed and bask in the sunlight whenever the weather permits.
Plan for Shade
This may mean that instead of putting on sunscreen, you find a spot under an umbrella from time to time during your day in the sun. Or it may mean you cover up your skin once you know you’ve about had enough.
If you’re concerned about the time in the sun aging your skin, you’re not alone. This is why I wear a hat when I’m in the sun as much as possible in the summer months. I let the rest of my body be exposed to soak up the rays but try to hide my face to prevent aging. (I’ll be honest in that I often forget my hat.)
No matter what, I try to make a point to take Beckett into the sun every single day, multiple times a day. Sometimes it’s just a quick minute on our back deck and sometimes it’s a walk through our neighborhood.I keep him in the shade as much as needed so he doesn’t burn and I don’t put sunscreen on him unless I know he’s going to be in the sun for prolonged periods of time where shade isn’t accessible.
Exposure to the sun not only helps your body’s make vitamin d, it helps you sleep better, boosts your mood, and provides much-needed hormones for aging. So maybe consider using sunscreen as needed instead of as the default.
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