LIFESTYLE AUTHOR
Stephanie Kuehne, ACN, CHC
WHAT’S IN MY NATURAL BEACH BAG n Learn what to pack from a health-conscious perspective, and discover a few finds to include to enhance your vacay!
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f you’re heading to a lake or beach for Memorial Day weekend, you’ll likely be bringing a beach bag or backpack along with you. I love packing a beach bag with healthy essentials — especially when it comes to covering all the bases — from skincare to must-haves that makes your life easier.
Sunscreen
Let’s tackle the big one first! When transitioning over to a more natural and healthy lifestyle, there is another big piece to consider — what you’re putting into and on your body. If you care about what goes into it, you may want to also consider what goes on it! Two ingredients found in most over-the-counter sunscreens have been found to disrupt the hormonal system: oxybenzone and octinoxate, but they are both still commonly found in most sunscreens. The alternative? Opt for products made with the following two ingredients: zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. When you apply toxic, chemical sunscreen ingredients like octinoxate and oxybenzone on your skin, the sun bakes them in and your body will absorb the ingredients. Chemicals like these can lead to various diseases — including the disruption of sex hormones like progesterone, estrogen and testosterone.
MAY 2021
I strongly recommend avoiding chemicals like these and making the switch to natural products (and there are tons of great alternatives to choose from). One rule of thumb is to simply make sure your sunscreen contains at least one of the following two ingredients: zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Tip #1: Don’t Skip the Sunscreen Sometimes, skipping the sunscreen frequently could provide the “feel” that you are achieving a wonderful sun-kissed glow — this is not true. Sunscreen should be applied generously at least every two hours, after 45 minutes of being in the water or quickly after toweling off. If the sun is
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