Natural Sun Protection: How to protect your skin in a healthy way
In summer some of us have the strong desire for sunbathing. But as we know, intense sun exposure can be harmful, especially from UVA and UVB radiation. According to scientific research, UVB radiation can directly damage DNA, while UVA radiation causes oxidative stress in skin cells, thus accelerating skin aging. Good sun protection is therefore essential to keep skin healthy and young, but in a natural way as conventional sunscreen often have a damaging effect on the skin cell and blood due to their many chemical ingredients.
Natural Sun Protection: Avoid the Midday Heat
In hot, sunny countries, people don’t expose themselves to strong sunlight at all. Many people only go out or sunbathe in the early mornings at sunset, when the radiation is less strong. Sunbathing is great, but please not for hours, and especially not in the blazing midday sun.
Natural sun protection through clothing
Another trick to escape the scorching sun is to cover your body with opaque fabrics, especially your torso, arms, and legs, as well as your face with a hat or cap. Desert peoples, for example, wear hooded cloth coats called kaftans as protection from the sun, and there’s a reason for this. For other peoples, such as those in the northern hemisphere, every ray of sunshine is precious. Here’s how to protect yourself and your skin without sacrificing sunbathing.
Photo Pexels by JD Gromov
Natural Sun Protection: Deacidification
Holistic Medicine System like Ayurveda or TCM Traditional Chinese Medicine) recognized that in hyperacidity sunburn occurs much more quickly. Deacification is most effective with natural bitter substances, which we find in plant based food, herbs and spices. Most of these substances also contain bioactive substances which are anticarcinogenic, i.e., prevent the formation of cancer cells or reverse existing cell alterations.
Most effective are turmeric and fenugreek seeds. They are highly deacidifying like most of the Mediterranean herbs, especially wormwood. There are various types of bitter teas and so-called bitter drops from different herbs, which exist as universal medicine since centuries all over the world. They complement the alkaline diet, which is essential for proper deacidification. The alkaline diet consists primarily plenty of fresh vegetables, ripe sweet fruit and fresh herbs. This diet also benefits the growth of our good gut bacterias, which play a major role in deacidifying the gastrointestinal tract and preventing acids from entering our blood. At the same time, acidic food items like citrus fruits or vinegar should be avoided.
Natural Sun Protection with Bioactive Substances
Plants and fruits contain bioactive substances, which protect the skin from UV radiation, such as Carotenoids. They are found in red or reddish vegetables such as carrots, apricots, peppers, and pumpkin. Tomatoes also contain high levels of Beta-carotene as well as Lycopene, a substance that protects the cells and the DNA against intense sunlight. However, tomatoes are generally considered as acidic and are not recommended in hyperacidity, especially if they are grown in regions, where the sun only shines for a few months.
Astaxanthin is another great bioactive substance and a powerful natural antioxidant found in red algae. It protects the algae from UV radiation during dry periods and can also protect our skin from sunburn, which studies have proofed as well. Aloe vera juice is another wonderful remedy which prevents sunburn and also has a regenerative effect on damaged tissue.
Combine external and internal Sun Protection
With the right measures you can enjoy the sun without putting your skin at risk. For this combine external and internal sun protection for optimal skin protection. Use natural oils, certified sunscreens, and a balanced, alkaline diet.
Natural Sun Protection: About the Sun Protection Factor (SPF)
Everyone reacts differently to sunlight and has a different natural protection time, depending on the individual skin type, hair and eye color. The SPF itself indicates how much longer you can stay in the sun with sunscreen without getting sunburned. An SPF of 2, for example, means you can stay in the sun twice as long as without protection. This factor gives you a guideline, but ultimately, it’s an individual matter how much sun your body accepts and which measures are effective against sunburn.
Natural Sun Protection with Natural Oils
Plant oils are versatile not only in the kitchen but also in skincare. They provide the skin with valuable fatty acids and vitamin E, have antioxidant properties, and can provide a natural UV filter. In South India, coconut oil is traditionally used as a natural sunscreen, while in Africa, shea butter, which is extracted from the nuts of the shea tree, is widely used.
Infobox:
Natural oils and their sun protection factors at a glance:
• Argan oil: SPF 3.2
• Avocado oil: SPF 2.7
• Black seed oil: SPF 2.7
• Coconut oil: SPF 1.2
• Shea butter: SPF 4.5
• Raspberry seed oil: SPF 2.6
Photo Pexels by Mikhail Nilov
Sunscreen: What to look for when buying
Are you very sensitive to light? Then you need a high-quality sunscreen with natural ingredients and without chemicals like octocrylene, oxybenzone (benzophenone-3), homosalate, octinoxate (ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate), titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide in nanoparticle sizes. Ideally your sunscreen should also be free of plasticizers and preservatives such as parabens (e.g., methylparaben, propylparaben) and phthalates, which have the following side effects:
• Hormonal disorders
• Reproductive disorders
• Skin irritations and allergic reactions
• Cell damage and depletion of the immune system
• Carcinogenic effect
Sunscreens, which contain such ingredients are also harmful to the environment, especially the oceans, by damaging coral reefs and aquatic organisms. Use only natural cosmetic sunscreen without chemical additives for sun protection. Some creams contain seaweed extract, Aloe vera, or antioxidant fruit extracts which help neutralize free radicals and soothe the skin.
Sunscreens with mineral UV filters such as zinc oxide (nano-free) are a viable alternative, as they stay on the skin and do not penetrate into the blood. Good products also do not leave a white film and are pleasant to apply, such as:
– Safe Sea Zinc Oxide Sunscreen SPF 50 for Face and Body (Nano-free)
– PAEDIPROTECT Marine Sunscreen SPF 50+ (Children, Babies, Adults)
You can also make your own sunscreen. Experiment a bit and combine natural oils with a nano-free mineral UV protection. Don’t forget, if you have very fair or sun-sensitive skin, you’ll need a significantly higher SPF.
