The best natural sunscreen alternatives are supporting the body, so it does not need sunscreen. Exposure to the sun is not the problem, lack of nutrients to support the body is the problem. Our ancestors survived just fine without chemical sunscreen, so why are we so dependent on it?
How to support the body
- stay hydrated
- eat the right fats
- eat healthy
- support the liver
- avoid medications that cause photosensitivity
- practice smart sun exposure
- skip the sunglasses
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Stay Hydrated
When spending time in the sun it is especially important to consume liquids that replenish the electrolytes in the body. Instead of drinking plain water add in some sole water, salt, lemon or trace mineral drops. Things like fruits are also beneficial for helping to stay hydrated.
Eat the right fats
Focus on increasing consumption of saturated fats and lowering consumption of polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs). Polyunsaturated fats are prone to oxidation and can cause inflammation.
Polyunsaturated fats include:
- corn oil
- sunflower oil
- vegtable oil
- soybean oil
- canola oil
- flaxseed oil
Saturated fats inclue:
- butter
- tallow
- lard
- coconut oil
Eating healthy
Skip the processed foods and eat whole foods. Go for a diet that supports the metabolism and avoid GMOs and pesticides as much as possible.
Support the Liver
Avoiding alcohol is important as alcohol not only is hard on the liver but is also dehydrating making it a double whammy for sunburn.
Staying hydrated and eating healthy in general help to support the liver. Liver Lover is a great herbal tincture for helping to support the liver. (The code drmarissabrand10 also gets you a discount.)
It is also important to support the liver by cutting down on toxins in day-to-day life. Use nontoxic cleaning supplies, makeup, shampoo, and skin care products. The less toxins the liver has to process out the better.
Avoid Medications that cause photosensitivity
There are several different pharmaceuticals that increase one’s sensitivity to the sun. If avoidance of drugs that cause photosensitivity is not an option, then clean sunscreen and being extra mindful of the length of sun exposure is the best bet.
Practice smart sun exposure
Practice smart sun exposure by:
- Building up exposure gradually
- Wearing a hat
- Making use of the shade
Skip the sunglasses
Wearing sunglasses makes the body unaware that it is in the sun causing the body to not release the proper chemicals for the skin to handle the sun. Besides wearing sunglasses messes with your hormones.
Chemical Sunscreen
Why go through all this effort to avoid chemical sunscreen? In general, these are great tips to live a healthier life. But the biggest thing to be aware of is that typical chemical sunscreen uses chemicals that disrupt hormones as well as chemicals that can actually cause skin cancer. Making chemical sunscreen top of my list to be avoided.
Natural Sunscreen Alternatives
Sometimes there are situations where sunscreen is a necessity. Mineral based sunscreens still block the benefits of the sun, but without containing the toxins that chemical sunscreens contain making them a better option for these situations.
There are oils that naturally protect from the sun such as:
- Red Raspberry Oil – Natural SPF 28-50
- Wheat Germ Oil – Natural SPF 20-22
- Carrot Seed Oil – Natural SPF 19-40
- Coconut Oil – Natural SPF 8
Sunshine organic hydrating face cream is a good option for a facial sun protector that can also be used all over the body. It contains all of the oils mentioned above.
If you would love something that is specifically made to be used all over check out this sun balm and sun stick. These are made with tallow, which naturally has spf qualities as well as nonnano zinc oxide. (The code DRMARISSABRAND gets a discount at Toups and Co Organics.)
If you have a brand of sunscreen that you have used and loved I would love to hear about it in the comments.
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