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Wellness Wednesday – Year-Round Sun Smarts

CRACKYL Staff

By: CRACKYL Staff

November 15, 2024

By Ed Lippie, founder and CEO, Momentum Wellness 

It’s easy to think protecting yourself from the sun’s UV rays is something to do only during the summer, when the UV index seems to increase with each passing week. While it’s important to slather on the SPF during summer, it’s just as important to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays all year.   

So I thought this would be a good time as any to discuss sun exposure, and how to harness its benefits while mitigating the damage from long-term exposure.

What You Should Know About Sun Exposure

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S., with one in five people developing it during their lifetime, but sunscreen can help protect you. 

Sunscreen is available in two primary formulations: mineral and chemical. Mineral formulas sit on your skin’s surface, blocking UV rays from penetrating your skin. Chemical formulas, on the other hand, absorb UV light into your skin and use chemicals like oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate, and octinoxate to convert it into heat, which then dissipates from your skin.

While European-made sunscreens often outperform U.S. products, many studies on sunscreen ingredients have been conducted on rodents, raising questions about their safety for humans. The debate is ongoing.

When it comes to actually wearing sunscreen, fair-skinned individuals should use sun protection when the UV index is 3 or higher, while darker-skinned individuals should protect themselves at a UV index of 5 or higher. Although darker skin tones have some natural protection from the higher concentration of melanin in their skin, they can still experience sun damage.

Consider More Than Just Sunscreen

It’s essential to remember that no sunscreen is perfect, and you should use it in conjunction with other sun-protection measures, like hats and UV-protective clothing. 

When choosing a sunscreen, opt for a broad-spectrum formula with an SPF of 30-50. Applying a lower SPF generously is more effective than using a higher SPF sparingly. 

Most experts recommend applying sunscreen 15-20 minutes before sun exposure and reapplying every two hours or after sweating or swimming. The recommended amount of sunscreen is about two tablespoons for your body and a quarter-sized dollop for your face, spread thoroughly and evenly. For hard-to-reach areas like your back and shoulders, consider asking a friend for help.

Most people don’t apply sunscreen correctly. This video is for facial application, but applies to your body, as well:

Sunscreen Recommendations

I cross-referenced many of the highest-rated brands with the Environmental Working Group database to generate a list of recommended sunscreens that provide the best combination of overall protection and reduced exposure to potentially toxic ingredients. I then divided them into mineral and chemical formula categories:

Mineral Formula Recommendations

Chemical Formula Recommendations

  • Supergoop Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50
  • Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen (Sensitive)
  • Black Girl SPF 30
  • Banana Boat Light as Air SPF 50+
  • Trader Joe’s Daily Facial SPF 40

Combo Formula Recommendations

Various Opinions on Sunscreen

The amount of conflicting information on the use of sunscreen is dizzying! Similar to nutrition, sunscreen produces a lot of strong opinions, and the rabbit hole goes very deep. As a result there seems to be a variety of camps: those who mistrust much of the science and the large companies who financially benefit from selling sun-protection products; those who accept the latest recommendations from established government agencies and medical associations; and those who fall somewhere in between. 

I count myself in the third category, with a slight lean to the second group. I tend to be “the way nature intended” type of person when it’s practical, and therefore believe in the health benefits of sun exposure, particularly as it provides us with vitamin D. 

With that said, the planet’s atmosphere has changed, rendering it less protective to us than our ancestors. So when faced with that proven reality, my sun strategy will look like this:

  • Using a hat most of the time I am outside to protect the skin on top of my bald head 
  • Being diligent about avoiding sunburns. Keep in mind that damage incurred in someone of a lighter skin tone this season will not show up until many years later
  • Applying one of the recommended mineral formulas after being outside for 5-10 minutes between the hours of 10 a.m.-4 p.m. from June 1-Sept. 15. This will allow a brief natural exposure to vitamin D-producing rays
  • Supplementing with a daily dose of vitamin D3 as determined by my blood work. That means 4000-5000 IU daily from September-May and 3000-4000 from June-August for me personally. I recommend learning your own needs by consulting with a medical professional who has access to your blood-test results
  • Wearing sunglasses in bright sunshine between the hours of 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Enjoying being outside with family and friends to receive the incredible benefits of nature and strong social connections

As always, let me know if you have any specific questions or concerns.

Have a healthy day!

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