Here Comes the Sun...

Summer is all about enjoying the sunshine we hope to see each year.

A ray of sunshine not only uplifts the emotions, it's physically beneficial to receive some sunlight on our skin too. A lack of sunlight can lead to depression in some, and a lack of Vitamin D, which is naturally produced by the action of sunlight on the skin, can lead to rickets and other harmful physical conditions.

The key to being safer in the sun is moderation. Spending most of the year indoors at work then blasting ourselves for two weeks in a hot country during the summer months is certainly a recipe for disaster.

Gradual exposure along with sun protection will help the skin to naturally produce melanin which shows as a tan. The amount of melanin we can produce to protect the skin depends on our skin type. There are products that can kick-start melanin production, often labeled as a Tan Activator or Tan Accelerator.

The downside of relying on our own natural sun protection is that the sun's rays are far stronger than our skin today can effectively cope with, and for that reason we require an added level of protection from the sun. Clothing and hats can be used as a physical barrier from the rays, or more commonly we can use a sunscreen product such as a cream, lotion or spray.

Recommendations for reducing the harmful effects of the sun's rays

• Wearing light cotton clothing, a hat and glasses to shield the skin from the rays is by far the most secure way of protecting the skin from harmful rays. There is a good reason why those living in very hot countries are often covered from head to toe in cloth. 
• Avoid the sun when it is at its strongest, between 11am and 3pm in Europe.
• Keep children under 6 months old out of the sun. Their skin is very fine and most vulnerable to long-term damage. 
• Light cotton clothing will help prevent overheating and provide valuable protection from the sun's rays.
• Ensure your child is not being exposed unprotected for long periods while in a pushchair or pram. Skin can burn quickly if they are sat immobile while in the sun's glare.

That said, it's not always practical or possible to remain fully clothed when out and about in the sun. However, many commercial skin care products available today are chock full of chemicals, many of which can trigger allergies and hormone imbalances. Most worryingly, some of these chemicals have been linked to cancer. This is of great concern, especially when it is mostly skin cancer we are aiming to protect ourselves from by using a sunscreen.

Some commonly used chemicals in sunscreens to look out for and avoid

• 4-Methyl-Benzylidencamphor(4-MBC)
• Oxybenzone
• Benzophenone-3
• Homosalate(HMS)
• Octyl-methoyl-cinnamates(OMC)
• Octyl-Dimethyl-Para-Amino-Benzoic Acid (OD-PABA)

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has spent 18 months researching sun creams. They found that 84% of 783 sunscreen products tested offer inadequate protection from the sun or contain ingredients that give rise to significant safety concerns. If you would like to check particular products for yourself look on the EWG website Skindeep.

‘The ideal sunscreen would be highly effective at blocking both UVA and UVB rays, contain active ingredients that do not break down in the sun (so that the product remains effective), and contain active and inactive ingredients that are proven to be safe for both adults and children. Unfortunately, there is no sunscreen that meets all of these criteria.'
EWG: www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/faq.php

Fortunately, there are many good chemical-free sunscreen lotions available today. Here are some of the best.

Yaoh Organic Hemp Seed Oil Sun Block
Comes in SPF15 and SPF30. Both options combine the protective, moisturising and rejuvenating qualities of hemp seed oil with the least damaging chemical sunblocks to produce a safe, protective lotion that is vegan and free from parabens, harmful substances and unnecessary chemical additives. Available from health food stores and direct online: www.yaoh.co.uk/hemp-sun-block.html

GreenPeople
A good range of sunscreens formulated with more than 84% organic ingredients which keep skin beautifully moisturised. Available from health food stores and direct online: www.greenpeople.co.uk/organic-sun-products.aspx

Badger Sunscreen
Badger SPF is highly rated for safety and effectiveness by the Environmental Working Group. Both their SPF30 and SPF15 products block both UVA as well as UVB sun rays. Available from health food stores and online: www.badgerbalm.com

Lavera
A good range of sunscreens using 100% natural mineral pigments. They deliver effective UVA, B and C protection in their SUN product line. Available from health food stores and direct online: www.lavera.co.uk

How to use sunscreen effectively and help keep your skin in good condition

Condition skin before and after sun exposure
Skin is healthiest when hydrated, nourished and supple, so moisturise before any extensive sun exposure in order to reduce the damaging and ageing effects of the sun's rays. During sun exposure, your skin works very hard at defending itself, with melanin production being its primary biochemical weapon. After long sun exposure, replenish the moisture and nutrients your skin has used while exposed to the sun. Drink water to re-hydrate from within and apply a cooling lotion or soothing botanical oil in the evening to help restore lost skin oils. Very gently exfoliating the skin prior to and while on holiday will help to ensure that your tan remains for as long as possible after your return.

Replace old creams and lotions
The SPF in a sunscreen deteriorates over time, so what is left over from last year's holiday will not provide the same level of protection as you might be expecting. When purchasing sunscreen expect to use the entire bottle during your time in the sun; use liberally and regularly.

Apply and reapply sunscreens during the day
Sweating and swimming will dilute any sunscreen's effectiveness to next to nothing. The failure to reapply consistently is the single biggest cause of burning. When in intense sun conditions, reapply at least once every hour.

Don't rub it in
Research shows that the traditional method of rubbing sun care products quickly into the skin results in the rapid absorption of the lotion. This leaves the outermost layers of skin with far less SPF than you may require. For example, an SPF15 sunscreen can be quickly reduced to the effectiveness of an SPF3 or 4 either by using too little lotion, or by rubbing it too quickly or deeply into the skin. Instead press your sunscreen onto exposed areas with a dabbing motion. Sensitive areas include the nose and forehead, and anywhere the bone is close to thin skin. Then apply the sunscreen onto the rest of your body with a light motion. Wait 60 seconds before you slowly stroke the sunscreen, spreading it evenly over and into the skin. Many sun lotions recommend waiting 20 minutes before going in the sun. Thorough application of sunscreen is really something to make part of the morning routine when going out in the sun, rather than left until you are already exposed to the sun's rays.

Take frequent breaks in the shade
Rather than sun-blasting your skin continuously for extended periods, take frequent shade breaks of 15 minutes or longer. Let your skin cool down and recover from the sun's bombardment, about once every hour.

Don't expose burnt skin to more sun
Heal your skin before resuming tanning. Burnt skin will not tan, it will only get worse and the resulting blistering or peeling will remove all traces of your tan and may have other serious implications for long-term skin damage. Keep burned skin cool, and try to minimise sweating through the burnt area to reduce the chances of blistering. DO NOT use waterproof sunscreens on sun-sensitive, pink, or burned skin. The waxes in waterproof products will interfere with your skin's normal functions and with the healing process. I can vouch for this from painful personal experience as a teenager.

Don't overdo the initial UV ray catching
If you're starting off with fair skin, go easy for the first couple of days. Gradually get your skin accustomed to increased levels of UV rays. You are far more likely to burn with fair skin that hasn't seen strong sunlight for a while. When you have a base tan established your skin is producing enough melanin to supplement the protection of your sunscreen. As your skin gradually becomes darker due to the melanin production, you can extend your sun time. But it is always advisable to use caution; a suntan does not mean you will be protected from skin cancer.

So what is an SPF and how do I know which one I need?

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. There is usually a number associated with the SPF, eg SPF30. If you use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30, it will take 30 times longer to get burnt than it would if you had no sunscreen on at all. However, this only applies to UVB rays. The sun also has a lot of UVA, which is harder to block. Many sunscreens now contain UVA blockers, but there is no standardised measure for their effectiveness as yet.

What can I do to soothe sunburn?

Cool, not cold bathing will help to take the heat out of sunburnt skin. Adding a drop or two of peppermint essential oil and chamomile essential oil to the water can also help to ease the sting of sunburn and help reduce inflammation of the affected skin.
Please note: always use essential oils with caution.

Lavender oil: This is one of the few essential oils which may be used directly on the skin. A few drops of lavender essential oil added to hemp, olive, sunflower or similar botanical oil will help to relieve sunburn, as well as other minor burns and scalds, with remarkable effectiveness. Using lavender along with one of the botanical oils mentioned above can help to soothe, heal and nourish the skin all in one.

Bicarbonate of soda: Another common household product that can help soothe sunburnt skin. Dissolve a handful of bicarbonate of soda in lukewarm water and soak in the bath for half an hour.

Botanical oils: Sesame, hemp seed, raspberry seed oil, shea butter and more are very useful for helping the skin to recover from sun damage. They are emollient, lubricating and conditioning, and many have anti-inflammatory properties which are very useful for calming sunburn and redness. The plant-based oils naturally absorb into the pores and hair follicles of the skin where they go to work assisting the development of healthy skin tissue, unlike petroleum-based oils which sit on the surface disrupting the normal functions of the skin. In the case of sunburn this can be very serious and may worsen the effects of the burn, and can lead to far more skin peel as a result.

Enjoy the sunshine!

Helen James

www.innocentoils.co.uk

children photos (c) Helen James 2009