Sunscreen kind of feels like another chore. You know, that ONE MORE THING to do before you leave the house or want to enjoy some sunshine. But, I promise you it is important to start incorporating into your routine.

When I was 21 (and clueless about skin health), I went to a dermatologist because a nurse told me to when I was waitressing. This mole on my head that everyone had mistaken as a tick was actually melanoma. When the dermatologist called to tell me this news, I had NO IDEA what melanoma was and just booked another appointment to get more skin removed like they asked me to. I went to my good friend Google after the call ended and just had a mental breakdown. How could I have skin cancer at only 21?! 20 stitches later front and center on my forehead, a few laser treatments to dull the scar and you can hardly tell it ever happened.

Fast forward to almost 9 years later and I am thankfully melanoma free. This was a wake-up call for clueless 21 year old me to start taking better care of my bodies largest organ…my skin! Regular steps I started with: 1. Going to the dermatologist 1-2 times per year for regular melanoma checks. 2. Adequate sun protection ESPECIALLY sunscreen daily.

I refuse to live my life in fear, especially in fear of the sun…my favorite thing about life! Now, I’m not telling you this story for you to feel bad for me or to scare you. I just want to share my story so you know the importance of taking care of your skin before it’s too late. If I didn’t take care of this mole when I was 21…maybe I would have never seen 30, you just don’t know!

Ok, ok…off my soap box. Let’s get to why you are really here, what sunscreen should you even use?!?! There is so much controversy around sunscreen so I want to make a quick, easy resource for you to use this summer!

Ingredients to AVOID in Sunscreen:

• Oxybenzone
• Octinoxate
• Homosalate
• Octisalate
• Octocrylene
• Avobenzone
• Spray or Powder Sunscreens (Benzene)
• Anything over SPF 50

Ingredients You WANT in Sunscreen:

• Zinc Oxide
• Titanium Dioxide
• Mexoryl
• UVA/UVB Protection
• Water Resistant
• Fragrance & Paraben free (if possible)
• SPF 50 or lower

Fun facts about UVA and UVB: UVA penetrates your skin which causes skin aging while UVB does penetrate as deeply more so causes skin burning. You want protection for BOTH!

Now when it comes to mineral sunscreens, these stay on the surface of your skin whereas the regular sunscreens absorb into your skin. At this point it is just preference - it is still protecting your skin just in a different way!

The brands that I use daily (even in the winter):

For the Face:

• Olay Complete Daily Moisturizer Sensitive – this product does have octinoxate which I’m not thrilled about, but I’m a creature of habit and keep using it. When I replace it, you will be the first to know!
• Up & Up Facial Moisturizer with Sunscreen (this option is cleaner than Olay! It can be found at Target.)
• My favorite tinted moisturizer with SPF 30 is bareMinerals Complexion Rescue! Other great options are Beauty Counter (this one felt too thick on my face but still good) or Bliss Tinted Sunscreen!

For the Body:

• Up & Up Sport Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30

For the Lips:

• Burt’s Bees SPF 15

Always do your research and don't just buy the cheapest brand. Your health is an investment - save money down the road and purchase better sunscreens now to avoid the knife…trust me!

If you want more brands or more information on cleaning up beauty and home products to avoid toxins be sure to join my monthly Bombshell-ish Body Membership! The ultimate healthy living resource loaded with recipes, intuitive eating, cleaning up toxins and more!

Sources:

https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/report/executive-summary/