Tips on how to keep your body healthy this summer.

Fun Fact:  
Did you know that our skin is the LARGEST organ in our body?  It accounts for about 16% of our body weight. 

Summer is my absolute favorite time of year! I love spending time outside in the warmth of the sun. 

A few years back, I would slap on whatever sunscreen I had laying around and head outside. I thought it didn’t matter what was on my skin or how I could be harming it. Once I was officially diagnosed with Endometriosis, I started to learn that most sunscreens are loaded with chemicals that are called Endocrine disruptors.  ENDOCRINE WHAT??!!  Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that may interfere with our body’s endocrine system, causing adverse developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune issues. Since our skin is the largest organ, it was sucking up all these nasty chemicals in the products I was using.

As a Long Island Women’s Health Coach and Endometriosis Warrior it was important for me to learn more about these toxic chemicals, what to avoid and which safe sunscreens can help protect my skin as well as keep my body healthy.

I learned that most sunscreens contain chemicals such as Oxybenzone, Retinyl Palmitate and insect repellent, which are all endocrine disruptors. Oxybenzone is a chemical that acts like estrogen in the body, studies have found it linked to endometriosis in older women and low birth weights in newborn girls. It may also cause lower sperm levels in men as well as low testosterone in younger boys. Oxybenzone may also cause skin allergies. Retinyl Palmitate is a form of vitamin A,  which may be harmful to the skin and possible lead to skin tumors/lesions.

It is important for our bodies to avoid toxins whenever possible, so this summer take the steps you need to stay healthy.

 Check out some easy tips on how to keep your body healthy this summer:

1:  Avoid peak times between 10 am to 4 pm, when the sun is strongest. Remember to also check the UV Index (cloudy days don’t necessarily mean lower UV)
2: Use a wide hat, sunglasses, long sleeves when possible and umbrella to provide shade.
3: Look for safer options like mineral sunscreen that contain zinc oxide.
4: Choose creams instead of sprays which are difficult to apply a thick covering layer. With sprays you are also at the risk of inhaling the chemicals.
5:  Avoid high SPFS (greater than 50 SPF) which can give you a false sense of protection, causing you to forget to reapply. Use for broad-spectrum with 15-50 SPF

Choosing the right Sunscreen:

With so many sunscreens on the market today, it can be hard to know which one is best for you and your family.  Check out The Environmental Working Group (EWG) for their 2020 Guide to Sunscreen 

Have a  Happy & Healthy Summer!!
Enjoy

Learn more healthy tips here

https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/report/the-trouble-with-sunscreen-chemicals/
https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/

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