I applaud your article regarding protecting skin from sun damage, but would like to make two points.

(1) It should be mentioned that protecting skin from the sun is a 365 day a year issue. That is, it is as vital to protect one’s skin during the fall and winter as it is during the spring and summer.

(2) Vitamin D is an essential element, but can be obtained from food and food supplements. It is not necessary to obtain Vitamin D by exposing yourself to the sun.

comiteskin.com

I was surprised that you didn’t mention that sunscreen use was nearly non-existent 50 years ago. It appears that the increased use of sunscreen has NOT helped the skyrocketing rates of skin cancers. Or that melanoma often appears on parts of the body where the sun wasn’t exposed (like the groin area). There is something truly wrong here! For now I’m sticking with an organic sunscreen free of synthetic chemicals (I’d skip it entirely if it weren’t for wrinkles/vanity reasons). I’m using Soleo sunscreen I bought online at Caren - www.carenonline.com but I’m sure there are others out there.

Great Post. I should note.. Although people with lighter skin tones are more prone to skin cancer, those with darker tones are not exempt from wearing sun screen. It was previously thought that the melanin in darker skin tones would provide %100 protection, which is true for Ultraviolet B rays, however, they are still vulnerable to Ultraviolet A rays which can cause damage to skin.

Roenick,
Tissera Tanning - Sun Tanning Facts

It is important to wear sunscreen everyday. I use Radiant Complexions Facial Sunscreen every morning before work. It is available at www.radiantcomplexions.com.

Good point Alan. A lot of people do not use sunscreen during the fall and winter because they do not visibly see the sun. However it is extremely important during these times as well as the sunny seasons to wear sunscreen. I use Remergent A.M. Moisture or High Intensity for my face. www.skinbreakthroughs.com It’s definitely worth it to pay a little extra for real science tested ingredients in your facial sunscreen. It is even recommended by Allure, Self, Prevention, etc.

One thing you can do to ensure that your skin is protected is to limit your time in the sun. We all know about the harmful effects of UV rays and skin cancer, but the sun has a drying effect on your skin as well. This can age you faster, and make you look older than you really are. Use a big beach umbrella at the very least to keep your skin from baking in the sun and drying out. If you’re at the ocean, you should know that salt water dries out your skin as well, so limit your time in the water. Rather than spending all of your time on the beach, take some time out to do other things, like go antiquing or visit the local shops and art spots. You can also opt to apply a rich skin protectant like Shea Butter.

Applying a cream or lotion before and after your time in the sun keeps your skin healthy and moisturized. Make sure that it’s a non-comedogenic cream so that your pores will not become clogged. Shea Butter is a great option for this, as it contains natural sunscreen, and is great for keeping your skin healthy and moisturized. It also doesn’t come off like regular creams and lotions because it’s a richer texture and forms a barrier on your skin without feeling greasy. Along with anti-aging and anti-inflammatory benefits, it is amazing for those sunburns you might get while you’re on vacation.

For more information about Shea Butter visit Purely Shea at http://www.purelyshea.com/

The sun is not the problem, it’s the burning. Sunscreens are risky, they may not provide the protection you think they do. Some studies even show that some sunscreens can actually cause melanoma or skin cancer. The right way to protect your skin is from the inside out, not with lotions and gels.
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