There is so much controversy surrounding the sun and sunscreen and what is healthy regarding these two things. Protection from the sun is important to prevent skin cancer and other skin complications. This is why we are told to always wear sunscreen and avoid the sun, but is that the best advice?
Why is the sun important for our health?
Melatonin
The sun is what gives everything on this Earth life and energy. The sun naturally boosts our vitamin D, melatonin, and serotonin. These are critical for our health. Melatonin is a hormone that is released in our brain in response to darkness. It helps with our circadian rhythm, or our internal 24 hour clock. Being exposed late at night can block melatonin secretions, however being exposed to morning sunlight can benefit our quality of sleep. By seeing sunlight early in the morning, it slows down the body’s melatonin production to wake you up for the day, while increasing the amount of melatonin secreted at night.
Vitamin D
The suns vitamin D is the true powerhouse. It helps fight fatigue, boost mental health and immunity, maintain a healthy weight and strong bones, and rejuvenate aging eyes. About 42% of America is Vitamin D deficient. Being deficient in Vitamin D is often times responsible for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which is what often affects people in the winter who live in cold climates.
Serotonin
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that can also act as a hormone. It is known as our brain’s happy hormone and plays a key role in our sleep, mood, digestion, wound healing, bone health, blood clotting, and sexual desire. We do not want our serotonin levels too low or too high, as that can cause health issues. Getting more sunlight is one of the easiest ways to boost serotonin, and even better when you exercise. So, this is your sign to go on daily morning walks! It is recommended to spend less than 30 minutes in the sun without sunscreen.
As you can see, we need the sun for our health. However, I do not want you to just stop wearing sunscreen. It still helps prevent skin conditions such as skin cancer. We just need to make sure we buy clean sunscreen that does not damage our health and environment. Chemical sunscreens are made with known carcinogens and endocrine disrupters, so we definitely want to avoid those.
So, what kind of sun protection should we be using?
The simple answer to that question is mineral sunscreen. Mineral sunscreen is made with ingredients such as non-nano zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. I talk more about chemical vs. mineral sunscreen and review a product in a previous post that is linked here. In this article, I want to talk about natural ingredients that may be able to protect you from the sun, such as red raspberry oil! Red raspberry oil is rich in omega 3 and 6 fatty acids and antioxidants. The oil has been shown to help heal psoriasis, eczema, and prevent stretch marks.
It offers UVA and UVB protection, however it has low UVA coverage. It has an SPF of 28-50 against UVB rays, and only a SPF of 8 against UVA. The A stands for aging and the B stands for burn. Simple way to understand the difference. Therefore, it is not suggested to be used as the main sun protection.
Because of the low UVA, high UVB protection, the red raspberry oil may offer a false sense of security. Even if the skin is not showing signs that it is burning, the sun may still be damaging your cells. This is why instead of making it your main sunscreen, you should pair red raspberry oil with other ingredients, so it can help provide full coverage sun protection.
Let’s talk about a few other skin care products that can provide natural sun protection.
Carrot Seed Oil: Rich in antioxidants and has antiseptic qualities, meaning it prevents growth of disease causing microorganisms. Its SPF is between 38-40
Jojoba Oil: Because it is rich in vitamin A and E it, it can help to treat psoriasis, sunburn, bruises, and dry skin. It contains an anti-inflammatory myristic acid with SPF 4. It is low, but because it soothes the skin it is a great ingredient to add.
Coconut Oil: coconut oil can be used for so many things from cooking oil to a daily moisturizer. Plus, it has an SPF of 2-8.
Wheatgerm Oil: Contains antioxidants and vitamin E. Antioxidants help to eat up free radicals and repair cell damage. It provides SPF 20.
Avocado Oil: Can also be used as a cooking oil (for high heat cooking). It contains a mono-saturated fat that forms a layer over the skin to prevent sun damage. Offers 4-15 SPF.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Also a very healthy cooking oil to consume. Contains antioxidants and an SPF of 2-8.
Almond Oil: Offers SPF 5 and Vitamin E to help nourish the skin
Macadamia Nut Oil: Contains phosphorous, potassium, Vitamin E, and cinnamic acid that helps give the oil its SPF 6 protection.
Conclusion
While none of these ingredients should be used alone as sun protection, together they can offer good protection while taking care of your skin. They can also be added to mineral sunscreens for a little extra somethin’!
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, try to get some sunlight everyday. Your physical and mental health will thank you! Just make sure you are still protecting your skin when needed.
These oils have not been scientifically tested enough to truly know how much they can protect you from the sun (except red raspberry oil). So use these at your own discretion. I would personally rather try natural products versus putting chemicals that have been proven to harm us on my body.
I linked some of the oils that I use below!
Disclaimer + example: This article may contain affilate links. This means I may earn commision should you decide to sign up for a program or make a purchase using my link. I only link products I love – thank you for your support.