I’m not a Chemist, Scientist, or any other “ist”.  I’m just an oil-obsessed mama who works hard to research and learn all I can about getting my home as chemical-free as possible, making better choices for my family and using oils and toxin-free products to help us stay above the wellness line! I share things from my experiences and research that I do. You need to always do your own research and ensure that you feel comfortable using products before you use them. Yet, with that said, I don’t like keeping good info to myself.

Sunscreen.  This is a major thing in our house, since we are fair skinned and fiery tempered.  Ok well maybe sunscreen doesn’t help a fiery temper.  Oh, but can you imagine if it did?? LOL!! I have oils that do help that.  But I digress…

And while we may not be the “fairest of them all” we all have really light skin that easily turns from pink to red in the sun.  Boo.

Here are a couple of things that I’m learning both about the sun, and sunscreen.

First, if you don’t follow Dr. Mercola, start now.  We are in no way connected, but gosh he is one smart man.  I find so much of his information super interesting and often “head in my hands”- holy cow I had no idea!! He’s also all about natural health.  Hats off to you, sir!

His view (not to speak for him) seems to be that most of us need more good old natural sunlight. He’s not saying we need to get out that and fry in the sun, but there are many health benefits (like vitamin D) that are best found in the sunshine.

He also has thoughts on sunscreen itself.  Check out his full article here.

Here is a small excerpt.

“In my opinion, corporate greed has created products that are harmful.

I’m talking hundreds of sunscreens that I believe are toxic because they contain man-made chemicals… chemicals I believe can cause serious health problems. Here’s why.

The main chemical used in sunscreens to filter out ultraviolet B light is octyl methoxycinnamate. OMC for short. OMC was found to kill mouse cells even at low doses. Plus, it was also shown to be particularly toxic when exposed to sunshine. And guess what?

OMC is present in 90 percent of sunscreen brands!”

He also says we need to watch for the following ingredients and then get rid of the bottle:

• Octyl salicyclate
• Avobenzone
• Oxybenzone
• Cinoxate
• Padimate O
• Dioxybenzone
• Phenylbenzimidazole
• Homosalate
• Sulisobenzone
• Menthyl anthranilate
• Trolamine salicyclate
• Octocrylene

I can’t even pronounce most of these, so rubbing them on my little redhead’s baby soft skin is not something I want to do.

And second, what’s up with SPF?? Apparently, it doesn’t need to be as high of a number as we all once thought.  I know- we are fair skinned, red-headed people in this family, so it’s a concern for me, too.  Yet, here’s what the Environmental Working Group has to say about it!

I’ve also read that spray-on sunscreen is worse than “normal” lotion chemical sunscreens.  So we’ve got that fun info, too. Because, let’s be honest, spray is EASY and fast!! And my kids are like a continuous moving target.  But, after checking out some info from people like Dr. Mercola and sites like the Environmental Working Group , I feel this is a worthy place for the Dahl family to make a change.  Heck, we live in sunny AZ for goodness sake!

Ok, so do we have options??

Yes, we do.  Dr. Mercola makes a sunscreen that you can find linked to his article.  I have not tried it.  Instead I’ll talk about one that I have used: Young Living’s Mineral Sunscreen.  It’s been out for a little while, but I admit that I’ve only started using it over the last couple of months. And, I am loving it!!!

This mineral sunscreen is not like chemical sunscreens.  It is a broad spectrum sunscreen, meaning it blocks both UVA and UVB rays. It’s a hypoallergenic, mineral based formula made with non-nano zinc oxide and other plant based ingredients…aka not filled with toxic chemical junk that can harm your body! It’s a physical barrier that protects your skin.  It doesn’t seep into the skin.  It uses non-nano particles that sit on the skin, but don’t get absorbed.  Most sunscreens use nano particles, which absorb into your skin. They can even seep down into the bloodstream where they may have unknown effects.  Scary!!

Young Living uses jojoba esters which coat the non-nano particles, so the white that you see with zinc oxide actually blends away and rubs in!!  And it does- I’ve used it a lot and I’m a huge fan!! Amazing!!

This lotion is SPF10.  Don’t freak here!! So this provides protection for 10 times the amount it would take you to burn.  Often about 80 minutes.  So you would just need to reapply.  And even if it’s less time, like 60 minutes straight in the sun is a long time.  I doubt most people are in constant sunlight for more than 60 or so minutes at a time.  And with this mineral sunscreen, we are protected.  Reapplying is the key.  Honestly, we have spent a bit of time in the sun just by living life. And with the YL sunscreen on and using the logic of application above, we haven’t gotten burned. All hands up!!

And really, take a sec to view a picture of me and the fam- cuz as I’ve mentioned, we are fair skinned.  So it seems to be working!!

Young Living’s Mineral Sunscreen also contains Essential Oils- umm yes please!! These are amazing for our bodies and skin.  I know I’m slightly obsessed, but really, so, so good. Reach out to me if you are interested.

Enjoy the sun friends! Even if you are red headed and fair skinned. But please, take care of that precious skin you are in!

Embrace Life!

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