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This summer season I’ve been researching how to protect the skin and still enjoy the sun.  I had heard that certain foods and supplements can help strengthen and support the skin during the months of sun exposure.  I’m on a mission to preserve my skin while reaping the HUGE benefits of being in the sun. Protecting the skin from the inside out is one of the best things you can do for your skin during the sunny summer months!

There are so many misconceptions about the sun. Everyone should understand that the sun is one of the most effective ways to heal the body and mind. 

In my research, only a small percentage of skin cancers are malignant and deadly.  Basal cell and squamous cell skin tumors are much more common and rarely metastasize.  They are almost always cured and very rarely kill.  

Pharmaceutical and sunscreen companies have done quite the job making the sun out to be deadly-the sun is to be feared and avoided  and sunscreen should be worn at all times.  

In reality, the sun is one of the most powerful modalities of healing.  

The sun stimulates the immune system, kills germs, mites, mold, viruses and pathogens as well as sterilizes.  Have you ever laid in the sun, pits up?  Try it-you’ll enjoy way less odor for days after.  Also, why do you think we have flu season and colds in the winter months?  You guessed it-lack of vitamin D.  

Before the 1930’s when antibiotics were invented, Heliotherapy was considered to be the most successful treatment of infectious diseases.  It could help lower blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar.  It increased white blood cells and stimulated the thyroid gland to increase hormone production. 

What About Sunscreen?

Sunscreens at best, only protects you from UVB rays which do not cause malignant melanoma.  Why is it that even though everyone is scared straight of the sun and slathering loads of sunscreen on, the cancer rates soar high above any other time?  

Plus, as you probably know, many sunscreens contain some pretty harmful ingredients.

UVA rays are the rays that cause malignant cancer.  So unless you’re using a “broad spectrum” or “full spectrum” sunscreen, all you’re doing is avoiding a sunburn and blocking vitamin D. 

Also, mineral based sunscreen is a better choice then chemical based.  It is much more natural.  Mineral based reflects the sun off of the skin where as chemical based soak into the skin.  Plus, several ingredients in chemical based sunscreens never bio-degrade causing huge issues for our oceans.  

My favorite sunscreen company is Mychelle Dermaceuticals. All MyChelle products are Vegetarian, Cruelty-free, and Free of Phthalates, Parabens, Sulfates, Ureas, Artificial Fragrances and Colors, Petroleum, GMOs, and Gluten.

Coola is also a fantastic sun care line. Both Coola and Mychelle can be found at Ulta!

A Word of Caution:

A few complications to consider before you jump outside is that people who have a compromised immune system may find that the sun damages the skin a lot more quickly and easily and healing is very slow.  Also, if you are over the age of 50, you are more susceptible to sun damage.  Limiting your time in the sun as well as protecting the skin with proper supplements and skin care can greatly help.  

I’ve rounded up a few summer essentials that I’ve incorporated into my routine this summer to help heal, protect and enhance my skin from the inside out and topically during the hot summer season!  

Skin Protecting Summer Essentials:

• Astaxanthin is a natural antioxidant with free radical scavenging strength as much as 65 times greater than Vitamin C and 54 times greater than beta-carotene. Astaxanthin supplement can help to protect cells against damage from free radicals like too much sun!  Research shows taking this supplement can actually act as an internal SPF.
• Collagen-Collagen helps strengthen skin, hair, nails and ligaments. It can help with firmer, younger looking skin as well as increase the moisture content of the skin.
• Retinol & Vitamin A Facial Oil– I’ve been using this facial oil on my face, neck and chest in the evenings after being in the sun.  It contains decent amounts of vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin E.  Studies have shown vitamins A, C and E are very helpful to repair and even protect the skin.  
• Tazo Zen Green Tea-Green tea is full of antioxidants that help rejuvenate damaged skin cells. A study on 16 healthy participants, published in the British Journal of Nutrition, found that drinking two cups of green tea every day helped reduce the redness and inflammation that comes with sun exposure, with the researchers noting that green tea can potentially prevent long-term skin damage.
• Mychelle Sun Shield Sun Stick-This is one of my favorite sun care products.  It’s so easy to apply it and it goes on with a bit of coverage.  It’s thick so I don’t use it as an everyday SPF but because it’s SPF 50, I use it when outside for a prolonged time.
• Acerola (vitamin C)-Taking a vitamin C supplement is a great idea to help improve immune function as well as skin health and healing.
• J. Raincloud Organics Anti Wrinkle Eye Serum-I had to add my eye serum because it is so high in antioxidants as well as cartenoids which can help the skin from the inside out.  I have had several reviews of this item claiming that it got them through the summer without sunburns or sun damage.  This product is not to be used in the sun.  It’s to be added to your normal skin care routine and can be applied all over the face.
• UV Protection Sun Hat-I think wearing a hat is very important when out in the sun.  The skin on the face and chest are so much more susceptible to damage and a hat can easily protect those areas.  

Ingesting your sunscreen is one of the most effective ways of avoiding sun damage from the inside out!

• Eat healthy fats
• Take a collagen supplement
• Enjoy a matcha latte or green tea!
• Eat foods high in antioxidants (think berry smoothie!)
• Vitamin C -Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant and also has many other benefits to the body.
• Omega-3s and Krill oil – I’ve experimented with several different brands over the years and come back to this one.   
• Astaxanthin – As mentioned above, this is a highly potent antioxidant and acts as an internal sunscreen. It’s also an anti-aging supplement. 
• Vitamin D3 Drops – The more vitamin D you have in your system, the more protected you are from sun damage.  I don’t take extra vitamin D in the summer but I’ve heard these drops are great.  

I hope I shed a new light on the sun.  No pun intended-lol!  You might want to read THIS article I wrote last winter when I got so depressed from lack of vitamin D that I found a “safe” tanning bed.  So many issues can arise when a person does not get enough Vitamin D.  

Always remember-The sun gives life to all living things, including humans.  Plus, it’s FREE!  

Take advantage of the sun and learn how to work with it instead of fearing it!

xx, Jenni

P.S. For a deeper look into the healing abilities of sunlight, check out the book, Heal Yourself with Sunlight by Andreas Moritz.

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