Summer Sun Safety
By Jillian Ricks holistic health practitioner.
For me, summer is a month of gatherings, adventures, lots of time outside near some sort of body of water, and ALL THE SUNSHINE.☀️
You better believe I am going to be doing some of all of the above and enjoying my summer with my kiddos.
As we are spending more time outside in the sun, I think of sun protection. When I was little, the only time I ever wore sunscreen was when we went to the beach. And that worked for me. But nowadays, I find that I need some protection if I’m paddle boarding with Rebecca or at a pool for a whole day. This being said, I don’t usually wear it if I’m just out hiking, gardening, or even swimming at my parents pool for an hour or two.
There’s lots of fear around the sun these days for good reason. But despite the caution, I like to embrace the sun and all the health benefits it gives freely. I try to get as much sun as possible, on my face, skin, and feet, allowing all the vitamin D to be absorbed to aid in digesting food, balancing hormones, strengthening bones, and lifting my spirits. I love every minute of it.
I’m doing my best to teach my children the same thing. We only use protection if they’re at the pool for an entire day or at the beach. I know that to some this isn’t possible due to fair skin, freckles and sensitivity. So I’m writing all of this to say, “You do you”. Just don’t be scared. If you’re easily burnt, use a good quality sun protection. Please read all the ingredients and make sure it doesn’t have all those icky chemicals that may cause cancer. And then use it sparingly. If you’re someone who doesn’t get burnt very easily only apply sunscreen on those moments where you know the sun is beating down on you.
Here is a list of a few chemicals to try and avoid when using sun protection.
1. **Oxybenzone**: This chemical can be absorbed through the skin and has been linked to hormone disruption and potential health risks.
2. **Octinoxate**: Another common ingredient that can also disrupt hormones and may have environmental impacts, especially on coral reefs.
3. **Retinyl Palmitate**: A form of vitamin A that, when exposed to sunlight, may increase the risk of skin damage and cancer.
4. **Homosalate**: This ingredient can accumulate in the body over time and has been associated with hormone disruption.
when choosing sunscreen, consider mineral-based options with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, as they tend to be safer and less likely to cause harm.
Here is my favorite sunscreen to use for my little family. Of course it’s doTERRA. I trust the doTERRA brand because it’s organic, there are no icky chemicals, and it smells amazing because they use their essential oils. I especially love their sun protective lip balm.
Check out their products by following this link to browse my personal doTERRA shop. By making your purchase through my link, I receive a small commission that helps me continue to offer these amazing oils to all who visit Jillian’s Healing Arts Center.
https://link.doterra.com/81kUoS
For any questions, reach me at Jillian@jillianshac.com
And just so we’re clear. This whole sunscreen sunshine issue is my opinion. I am not a medical doctor. So do your research. “You do you.” And, above all, enjoy the summer with all the adventures, sunshine, and joy.
For your convenience, here are a few websites to check out on the issue of sunscreen:
https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/report/the-trouble-with-sunscreen-chemicals/
Jillian is the owner and manager of Jillian’s Healing Arts Center where she truly does her best to offer the highest quality of holistic practitioners and services allowing for all who visit to feel lighter, more balanced in their smart body, joyful, and leave with blooming happiness. When she is not running the Center, she is offering therapeutic massage, Reiki healing sessions, teaching yoga and/or belly dance, and teaching a specialty holistic event. And on her off days she loves spending time with her 2 children, being in nature, and reading braille romantic novels.
To check out Jillian’s offerings and see what new thing she is teaching go here.
