Considerations for Sunscreen

Not all commercial sunscreens are created equal. Furthermore, understanding your constitution and what nutrient antioxidants are in your diet may give your skin better sun protection from the inside. Did you know?

"Among the planets (the Sun) is God incarnate in solar form. Those who regularly and devotedly remember the Sun lose all their worries, disease and poverty...the Sun destroys all obstructions and fulfills all cherished desires." - Dr. Robert Svoboda, The Greatness of Saturn - A Therapeutic Myth

Let's make one thing clear, the Sun was not created because God wants to harm you. As vitamin D is actually a hormone, it is crucial that our bodies make this hormone for immunity, endocrine function, proper metabolism, and bone health, just to name a few. Quality supplements are readily available for those that live in northern latitudes or have to spend the majority of time indoors - however, the absorption of even a quality supplement also depends on one's digestion and the ability to assimilate. Digestive power is everything.

In the case of cellular skin imbalance, the use of a natural, non-nanoparticalized sunscreen is beneficial. Think "barrier functions". Non-nano zinc oxide is meant to sit on top of the skin, so yes it is messy and visible, but that's a small price to pay if you're using it for protection. Also think of other barriers to use if one has to be in the sun for longer than intended: light colored, natural fabrics that fully cover the skin, sun hats and umbrellas (cooler than you think, I promise). A natural sunscreen with baseline oils you recognize on the label, non nano zinc and minimal added ingredients is what to look for. The added benefit of natural sunscreens; if swimming in a natural body of water, these ingredients are biodegradable and non-polluting.

A word about Astaxanthin and Vitamins C & E. Numerous studies have come to light recently regarding Astaxanthin, an algal food-derived antioxidant. Small doses of this powerhouse red carotenoid is found in shrimp, crab, sockeye salmon, and microalgae. It is also available in supplemental form, from reputable companies.** Regarding UV induced photo-aging and skin deterioration, astaxanthin is an oxgygen scavenger and protects the skin on a cellular level. It is similar to another member of the carotenoid family, lycopene and the vitamin A pre-cursor, beta carotene (1). Vitamin C is also our ally in skin health, but is not found in high amounts in orange and grapefruit. One powerhouse of a fruit however, is Amalaki or Amla. Prominent in Ayurvedic and Unani medicine, Amalaki is a hepatoprotective and rejuvenative(2). The "nurse" of traditional medicine, it holds the top-spot as a tissue regenerator and cools the blood; also meaning, that those of us with hot, fiery constitutions greatly benefit from this fruit (in powdered form or pressed tablet, as it is mostly available in the States*) especially in summer months. Most every one can benefit from its strong anti-oxidant properties. Finally, we arrive at Vitamin E. This topic is tricky as some functional medicine proponents will argue that ingesting seed oils like sunflower, causes more oxidative stress than animal fats, omegas, etc. What is important to note is the quality of any seed oil (cold-pressed, pure, unadulterated) and how one uses it. Sunflower oil is high in anti-oxidants and nutrients- besides being gorgeous! Mostly known as an antihypertensive, the blood vessels, digestive tract and skin also benefit from bioactive compounds of sunflower(3). Daily skin massage with the pure oil is a great way to utilize protective and healing benefits externally when paired with your nutrient-rich, antioxidant-filled diet. Meanwhile, sunflower is available in meal and seed to add to your baking or cooking.

Curious to know more about natural ways to care for your skin? Contact Elizabeth for an initial consultation. As always, a free 15 minute phone consult is available to first-time clients.

*Banyan Botanicals offers a quality line of Ayurvedic products. They are based in the US with reputable sourcing from India.

**The information in this article is meant for educational purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Consult your physician when adding a supplement to your daily routine.

References:

1 The Protective Role of Astaxanthin for UV-Induced Skin Deterioration in Healthy People - A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial; Nutrients - 2018 June 25;10(7):817; Naoki Ito, Shinobu Seki, Fumitaka Ueda

2 A Drug Review of Amalaki (Embelica Officinalis): A Traditional Indian Drug with Contemporary Applications; December 2022 - Journal of Pharmaceutical Negative Results 13(10): 4833-4845; Vishal Jaiswal, Rakesh Jaiswal

3 Oilseed crop Sunflower (Helianthus annus) as a source of Food: Nutritional and health Benefits; Food Sci Nutr. 2020 Jul 31; 8(9)466-4684; B. Saanu Adeleke, O. Oluranti Babalola