Written by Kari @ Living Strong, Health & Wellness, Contributing Writer
Summer is probably my favorite season of the year. I enjoy being outside, warm and in the sun! We live in a generation where we have been taught to fear the sun and due to this, so many people miss out on the benefits of being out in the fresh air and soaking in the sun.
Is it important to wear sunscreen every time you are outside? No, no and no!
Sure, there are times when you are going to be outside in dramatic heat for long hours and your near water or at a higher altitude and it may be a good idea to apply some sunscreen – but for the most part – you need to allow your body to receive those amazing sunrays! I understand there are exceptions and some people may have health issues where the sun can be dangerous to them and I am not talking about situations like that. I am speaking in general, but speaking a truth that is so vital!
When we never allow those sunrays to penetrate our skin and go into us, we are shielding a life-saving, natural device. The sun gives our body the active form of vitamin D, vitamin D3, which is vitally important to our health. It also provides us with a natural sunblocking mechanism – the skin – when you develop a tan!
Other benefits of sun exposure are:
- improves mood, reduces risk of SAD (seasonal affective disorder)
- involved in cell growth
- involved in nerve and muscle function
- helps lower blood pressure
- improves immune function
- vital for the absorption of calcium in the intestines
- can help prevent bone disease
- helps maintain levels of calcium and phosphate
- reduces the risk of rheumatoid arthritis
- reduces risk of the risk of the flu
- lowers cholesterol
- increases metabolism
- improves digestion
- reduces stress and anxiety
As you can see – there are numerous benefits to sun exposure and in order to receive these benefits, you can’t be wearing sunblock – blocking out all those precious rays. In our home we hardly wear sunblock or sunscreen – but we do love to slather on our summer sunscreen body oil that I make! It’s simple and easy and provides natural sunscreening properties – without harmful side effects that you can get by using commercial products!
Make Your Own Safe Sunscreen Oil:
All you need is equal amounts of a few amazing and natural oils:
Avocado Oil
Grab an 8oz – 16oz container that you’ll store it in and make sure it’s clean! Next, in a small sauce pan, over medium low or even low, warm the coconut oil. Once it’s liquefied, pour in the remaining oils, swirl around a couple times to incorporate and remove from heat. Allow to cool just a couple minutes and pour into your container using a funnel! Leave the lid off until it’s completely cooled.
Feel free to add any beneficial essential oils or even green tea extract to your oil, store in a cool place and use for those amazing days spent in the sun where you are not in danger of getting burnt – which then a safe and toxic-free sunblock should be used!
What is your go-to safe summer skin care routine?
About Kari
I just love this, going to put it on my to-do list.
Amen, Amen and Amen!
We’ve been so brainwashed in our culture – sun = natural suncreen = toxicity Boom, simple stuff! Why do we believe the propaganda anyway, I mean it’s not like skin cancer has decreased! 😉
How do you avoid the dangerous rays that can lead to cancer and skin damage? I agree that you should expose your skin to the sun for a certain amount of time but I have skin damage now from not protecting my skin.
Of course the chemical based sunscreens are horrible but there are mineral sunscreens now available that are not toxic.
How much time do you suggest that you can be outside without sunscreen?
Great post! What SPF does this provide? I’m working on a sunscreen oil recipe too. I’ve heard that carrot seed oil provides 35 SPF – along with about 10 SPF of coconut oil. I’d like to try carrot seed oil with your sunscreen too.
I just love how simple this is and so natural! The Florida sun can be really harsh, thank you for such a helpful post.
I love this! I think this is a key factor in our children’s health… not only for helping them have strong bones and immune systems, but a huge number of kids are deficient in vitamin D and all doctors are saying is to supplement with synthetic forms of it which can do more harm than good! I love your recipe, and one thing we add in is carrot seed essential oil which is known to have natural sunscreen like properties as well. It’s a great one!
In response to Anna’s comment above, I monitor my kids when we’re outside as the weather starts to warm up in order to prevent burns since burns are the main cause of cancers and skin damage. We try to get a good amount of exposure to the sun in small increments each day in order to build up a tan, and the tan in turn helps to protect their skin from burning. Thanks again!
This is a great article. People really need to know all the benefits of sun exposure and how toxic sunscreen is. I try to make sure get at least 20 minutes of exposure before I put sunscreen on. I do buy natural sunscreens in the HFS but I am really looking forward to trying your recipe. I would love to try something more natural and it looks really easy.