While we put sunscreen on ourselves and our children every morning, especially in the summer, thinking we are doing a good thing, we may actually be putting carcinogenic chemicals onto our skin and therefore into our bodies (since our skin is our largest organ that does indeed absorb chemicals) and especially when little ones put their fingers in their mouth.  Just because it reads "Safe for Babies" doesn't mean that it's really completely safe.  And if we're using it according to directions, we are reapplying after going in the water and again every couple hours.  That's a lot of chemicals being soaked in by our skin every day. 

I remember looking at my son, as the person who helped me was slathering him down with sunscreen again, wondering if this daily routine was wrong; it just didn't seem right to me.  I researched sunscreens and confirmed my suspicions.  I stopped it immediately.  I changed our sunscreens, actually stopped using them, and took alternate steps to avoid the suns hottest rays.

Many sunscreens and sunblocks contain Parabens. 

Many contain artificial fragrances. 

Sunscreens contain chemicals that absorb the sun.  Sunscreens usually have Benzophenone or Oxybenzone, Octyl Methoxycinnamate, or PABA.  Sunscreens contain dangerous carcinogenic chemicals.  Sunscreens readily absorb into our skin.  The chemicals are hormone disrupters.  Some do not offer protection from both of the UVA and UVB rays.  Recent studies indicate that malignant melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, may not even be prevented by sunscreen.  SPF numbers can be misleading; SPF is only an indication of how much longer we can be in the sun before we burn.  Just because we wear sunscreen with a high SPF does not make us a "superman" in the sun and allow us to go out at any time for as long as we like.  And most surprisingly, sunscreens can actually react with sunlight to form free radicals.  Free radicals are carcinogenic.  So the very thing we use to prevent skin cancer may actually cause it!  Most chemical sunscreens are not used in Europe.

Sunblocks usually contain Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide, that white stuff on the life guard's nose.  Both of these are widely accepted in Europe.  Avobenzone or Parasol is also used in Europe and is gaining popularity in the U.S..  Sunblocks lay on top of our skin and block all the sun.  Sunblocks seem the safer of the two options, however, there is controversy surrounding these as well, especially as they are now being made into tiny nano-particles that can actually be absorbed into the skin.  When sunblocks are turned into nano-particles for aesthetics so they disappear into the skin, the effects on people are as of yet unclear.  These nano-particles are also being imposed upon our environment in a nontraditional way.  There are some studies that suggest that as these nano-particles wash into our waters, they are causing brain damage to our marine life.  Like most sunscreens, some sunblocks react with the sun to kill off cells which can lead to cancer. 

We must take appropriate steps to protect ourselves in the sun and sunburns while lessening the risk to our health and our environment.

We can best seek protection from excessive harmful UV rays by:

• Avoiding sunshine during peak hours, 10am - 4pm.  UV rays are most harmful during the heat of the day.
• Wearing long sleeves but light clothing in the summer.
• Wear light colors that reflect rather than absorb the heat.
• Wearing a hat.
• Wearing UV protection sunglasses to protect our eyes.
• Using an umbrella or taking advantage of the shade from a tree.
• Protecting our child(ren) from sunburn as what happens in childhood will affect their adult life.
• Getting our Omega 3s.  Fish oil has Vitamin D.
• Eating organic fruits and veggies so we get all your vitamins, particularly including raw ones too; summertime fruit makes that an easy enjoyable thing to do!  This will boost our antioxidant level to ward off some ill effects of getting too much sun by accident.
• Keeping babies in the shade; no sunscreen or sunblock on babies under 6 months old even when the label says it's safe.  Babies proportionately have more skin for the size of their bodies so we'd be applying more chemicals to their skin proportionately and they are quite delicate and growing.  Sunscreens also block their skin from cooling itself naturally by perspiring and babies are already at a higher risk of dehydration so adding sunscreen would make this risk much worse.
• Knowing our skin type and being prepared to protect it properly.
  • Type 1 skin - red heads with blue eyes - usually burn, freckle, but don't tan.  Use highest SPF.  Also if you have skin cancer or sensitivity to the sun.
  • Type 2 skin - burn after 15 - 20 minutes or so - blondes with light eyes.  Use high SPF.
  • Type 3 skin - usually darker hair and darker skin - can tan but can burn.  Use high SPF, but can get away with lower SPF at times too.
  • Type 4 skin - dark skin, hair and eyes - can tan but can burn.  Use SPF 12 - 15, but can get away with lower SPF at times too.
  • Type 5 skin - dark skin, hair and eyes - can tan and rarely burns.  Use SPF 4 at least.
  • Type 6 skin - black hair and dark skin - rarely burns.    Use SPF 4 at least.
• Taking it slowly.  Working to get a summer tan?  Safest bet is to soak it in for only 10-15 minute or so at a time and build up your tan and your time in the sun slowly.  Always only after 2pm.  This will take longer, but is a safer way to your summer glow.
• Taking where we are into consideration.  If closer to the equator or at higher altitudes, UV radiation increases, therefore risk of sunburn is greater so take extra precautions.
• Choosing a safer sunblock to a sunscreen when considering sun protection.  When using sunblock, apply it about 20 minutes before going out in the sun and be sure not to miss a spot that can burn like exposed ears, back of neck, and other "white" and "open" spots.   Make sure it's waterproof and reapply as directed.
• Remembering that water intensifies the sun's rays (so can snow, by the way) and take extra precautions when on a boat or in the water or even skiing (snow or water skiing).
• Using a natural after sun soother like Bali Balm, Coconut Butter, or Aloe Vera.
• Staying hydrated while out in the sun and after being in the sun; drink enough water to quench your thirst.

  If, even after these steps, you get a burn, take appropriate steps to help heal the burn immediately: 

  • Wash it with cool water and mild soap.
  • Cool the skin.
  • Aloe Vera is soothing on a sunburn.  If you have the whole plant or have the leaves, squeeze out gel from leaves onto the burn; if it's cold from the refrigerator it will cool it down faster too.  There are also some creams that are aloe vera but check the ingredients to make sure you are not also applying a bunch of unnecessary chemicals to the burn.  Best is the real leaves from aloe vera plant or whole aloe vera gel.
  • See a dermatologist, especially if it blisters.  Definitely see a doctor if the burn blisters, causes increased pulse and blood pressure, rapid breathing, dizziness, nausea, fever, chills or extreme thirst causing you to drink more water however you don't seem to be urinating the expected amount for what you are drinking.

  If you don't have Aloe Vera leaves, try:

  • Baking Soda and cool water applied gently with a towel.  Allow area to dry and reapply.
  • Fresh Lemon Juice and cool water applied gently with a towel or spritz bottle..
  • Cold whole milk applied with a towel.  Allow to dry.  Repeat.  Rinse with cool water.
  • Ice in a towel or a bag of frozen veggies wrapped in a towel applied will help cool down the area but the pain will return as soon as the ice melts.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar mixed with water applied with a damp towel or spritz bottle.  Allow to dry.  Rinse with cool water.
  • Witch hazel and cool water applied with a cloth.
  • Cool bath with a 1/2 cup of baking soda if the burn is all over the body.
  • Cool bath with 1/4 cup baking soda and 1/4 cup cornstarch.
  • Cool bath with 20 drops of each, lavender essential oil.
  • You can also add 20 drops of chamomile essential oil if you have available.
  • Cool bath with several drops of bergamot oil.
  • Cool bath with oatmeal.
  • Cool bath with a cup white vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
  • Cool bath with 20 drops of calendula homeopathic tincture.
  • Take a short warm, not hot, shower.
  • Cucumber can be soothing when a cool cucumber is applied to the area.  Change them out as they warm from the heat of the skin burn.
  • Mashed strawberries applied to the burn may help.
  • Cold whole plain yogurt applied directly can help cool and soothe the burned skin.  Dry. Rinse with cool water.
  • Steep 5 bags of tea for 20 minutes.  Use green or black tea, mint or ginger in particular, cool.  Take a cool bath with the tea you just made.  Apply the tea bags to the burned area.
  • Steep 5 bags of herbal chamomile tea for 20 minutes, cool.  Take a cool bath with the tea you just made.  Apply the tea bags to the burned area.
  • Boil lettuce leaves.  Strain.  Refrigerate.  Apply cooled lettuce juice to burn.
  • Cool bath with the tea you just made.
  • Burn Cream, check the ingredients and use a natural one.
  • Vitamin E oil, the pure stuff, can help it heal faster.
  • And drink plenty of water to stay hydrated while your body heals itelf!

• California Baby
• Aubrey Organics
• Badger Balm
• Lavera

• How and Why to Protect Your Skin with Natural Sunscreens, Holistic.com
• Sunscreen Report, The Green Guide
• Trash Your Sunscreen and other Summer Tips, Dr. Mercola, 2004
• Sunlight Exposure Beneficial to MS, Dr. Mercola, 2000
• Sunlight Actually Prevents Cancer, Dr. Mercola, 2002
• So You Wanna Get A Safe Tan, So You Wanna
• Sunlight, sunlightD.org
• The Truth About Sunscreens, Terressentials
• Nano's Troubled Waters: Latest Toxic Warning shows Nanoparticles cause Brain Damage in Aquatic Species and highlights need for a moratorium on the release of new nanomaterials, Etc. Group, April 2004
• Absorbing Titanium from Sunscreens, Dr. Mercola
• Sunscreens May Not Prevent Melanoma, Dr. Mercola
• Safer Sunscreens, ewg.org
• Buy Safer Sun Protection