Love your Sun-kissed Skin this Summer

Your Lifestyle Love your

Sun-kissed Skin this Summer

Deborah Monshin

Summer's nearly here! We're all looking forward to getting out and enjoying the sunshine. Whether you walk, bike, swim, kayak, or lay on the beach getting a tan, it's vital to protect your skin. It's easy to forget that our skin takes time to acclimatise to the sun, especially if those lillywhite legs have been hiding in trousers all winter. Even if you are blessed with quick tanning skin, all skin types need to be protected. UVA light is associated with premature ageing of the skin. UVB light is associated with sunburn and damage to the skin. Protection against both is crucial. Enjoying the sunshine means you need to take unnatural measures to keep your skin safe, and using sunscreen or sunblock is the best way to stay protected if you are active outdoors.

Before Exposure to the sun:

Sunscreen/sunblock: adds a barrier to the skin to reduce harmful rays from damaging the skin. Nothing protects your skin one hundred percent, so don't be complacent. Reapply as instructed, particularly if you are in and out of the water. And do consider taking a break in the shade if you can. After Exposure to the sun: Moisturiser: always shower off seawater or chlorinated water before applying a rich hydrating moisturiser. Apply overnight for extra hydration. Ooops – I've burned! Sunburn is severe dehydration of the skin. Sunburn is serious, as it may kick-start skin cancer. Being sensible is always the safest option, but if the worse happens, treat it as soon as you can. Aloe Vera Gel is the best natural product for burns. Its cooling properties instantly soothe. Keep applying the gel until it stops soaking in. Slather on another layer, which will create a seal on top of your own skin, adding extra protection. Aloe Vera replaces moisture lost by over-exposure to the sun. It's always a good idea to keep an Aloe Vera plant in the kitchen for any burns. If you are away from home, go for a natural, unscented Aloe Vera Gel. One aspect you may not have considered is the harm that a cheap moisturiser or sunscreen/sunblock can do. Your skin is your largest organ, and it's the most porous part of your body. Everything you put on your skin enters your bloodstream. That's a scary thought. Some cheap skincare products contain ingredients that you really don't want to be absorbing.

Oxybenzone: is linked to endocrine disruption, organ system toxicity, contact allergies. Sometimes called benzophenone-3, not to be confused with benzophenone, another common sunscreen ingredient. Octinoxate: A UV filter that protects from UVB rays, but not UVA sun rays. It may be listed as OMC, methoxy-cinnamate, or ethylhexyl methoxy-cinnamate. It's linked to endocrine disruption and reproductive toxicity. Researchers have detected this chemical in breast milk, urine, and blood. Homosalate: absorbs only UVB rays to prevent direct skin exposure. It's linked to hormone disruption and may also enhance the absorption of pesticides and enhance the penetration of other harmful ingredients found within the formulation. This ingredient does not break down in the environment. Nanoparticles: these can be 1000 times smaller than the width of a human hair. In sunscreen, they're most commonly found as nanoparticle titanium dioxide of zinc oxide. Because of their infinitesimally small size, nanoparticles may be fast-tracked into the body. Most of these ingredients are harmful to aquatic life and the environment. Also, avoid aluminium, DEA, MEA, and TEA, DMDM hydantoin & urea, Mineral oil, parabens (Methyl, Butyl, Ethyl, Propyl), PEG, phthalates, propylene glycol & butylene glycol, -siloxane or -methicone, SLES and SLS, Triclosan and synthetic fragrances. It's mind-boggling, but generally speaking, the shorter the ingredients list, the better the product. If you can't pronounce it, you don't want it on your skin! If you stick to chemical-free, organic products, you can't go wrong.

Top Tips:

• Go for the highest protection sunscreen you can afford

• Aim for an organic or natural skincare product • Wear UV blocking sunglasses • Read the label to avoid the above ingredients • Store it according to the instructions as this can impact the product's effectiveness.

• Consider a waterproof version if you swim • Use a hydrating moisturise and use liberally • Keep a tube of Aloe Vera

Gel with you • Avoid the strongest sun between 10 am and 2 pm • Preventing sunburn and associated problems means you can have longer enjoying the summer but care for your body and hair the best you can. Have a fabulous summer!

6 organic/natural skincare brands: • Dead Sea Spa

Magic Sunsafe • CeraVe • Green People • 100% Pure • True Botanicals • Neutrogena Don't forget your hair: The sun can bleach hair and cause it to become brittle; seawater and chlorinated water can play havoc with your glossy locks. After rinsing and shampooing, use a rich moisturiser. 6 organic/natural hair care products: • Faith in Nature • Handmade Naturals • Body Care • Naturisimo • Green People • Neals Yard