A safe sun care practice protects our skin, reduces the risk of skin cancer, and minimizes signs of aging. One bad sunburn can damage and increase one’s risk of skin cancer. In Montana, sunscreen is essential for all ages - year ‘round - as the reflection off the snow can be stronger than that in the heat of summer. Goggle tans may be a sign of your commitment to enjoying the outdoors, but should be obtained with care.
So, what is safe SPF? Physical barriers such as mineral powders that reflect and scatter UV rays, rather than chemical creams and sprays which absorb them. The additional benefit is the minerals actually help reduce inflammation and have a cooling effect. Sticking to reef friendly options is a good rule of thumb since many over the counter options have chemical components which can be toxic. Another excellent choice is the amazing (and locally produced) glô Protect Oil (now available in Body!) + any of glô’s dry mineral sunscreens for ease on the go. For those with kiddos, the brush application is by far the best way to get them covered head-to-toe in a snap.
By introducing safe sunscreen into your daily skin care routine, you're mitigating the risk of skin cancer, warding off the early signs of aging and most importantly, keeping toxins out of your body. Your skin is your largest organ, so make sure to take care of it.
Happy (and safe) Summer!
