What You Need to Know Before You Head Outside
We are big proponents of spending daily time in the sun. Most mornings, you will find us sitting out on the deck, soaking up those glorious rays. According to UCLA Health, we need to absorb these UV rays in order for our bodies’ systems to create D3. Vitamin D has been shown to help our bodies absorb calcium more efficiently and prevent osteoporosis. It has also been shown to ensure strong immune systems and help to lower blood pressure.
Even though we enjoy our sunlight however, we make sure to do so responsibly. If we are sitting outside solely for the purpose of absorbing UV rays, we set a timer. Also, we are avid hikers and fishermen here on the mountain, so we wear special clothes, hats, sunglasses, and the like if we will be out for an extended period of time.
We do believe in using responsible sunscreen. The purpose of it is to prevent sunburn, prevent wrinkles and other tell-tale signs of premature aging, and prevent skin cancer. According to Mayo, there are two different types of sunscreen agents:
Chemical – which absorb UltraViolet rays
Physical – which reflect and/or scatter UltraViolet rays
The reason I use the word “responsible” when speaking of sunscreen is that many (if not most) sunscreens on store shelves contain very toxic ingredients. According to the Environmental Working Group, here is a partial list of those chemicals that you may already be applying to your skin: Avobenzone, Octocrylene, Sulisobenzone, Phenylbenzimodazole, Homosalate, Cinoxate, and PABA.
Do you see any of those ingredients in your sunscreen? Another ingredient, called Oxybenzone, is a known hormone disruptor and at least 9% of the ingredient is directly absorbed into the skin with each use. And most of these ingredients, including Dioxybenzone, all lose their effectiveness in the sun and create free radicals. If you’re not aware, free radicals typically lead to cancer.
As if all these health concerns were not enough, look at the state of Nevada on a map. It is approximately 110,000 square miles. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, that is how many shallow water reefs exist, and they need water and sunlight for photosynthesis to occur. Sadly, it is believed that the contaminants in sunscreen are contributing to the contamination and ruin of these coral reef systems.
In Hawaii, where there are hundreds of thousands of beach goers every year, the coral cover has been reduced from 42% just a couple years ago, to 9% today.According to the Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, Oxybenzone (mentioned above) is highly toxic to marine life.Besides causing irreparable damage to the coral, it is also affecting fish and sea turtles.
So, what do we do? We need Vitamin D, we want to prevent sunburn and skin cancer, and we want to ensure that marine life is healthy and thriving. The NOAA recommends using a “physical”, mineral based sunscreen without nano particles.
This past summer, we had developed a creamy butter sun shield that we knew would nourish skin and reflect the harmful rays. We had several product testers try it out with wonderful results. However, sunscreen is considered a "drug", so we would have had to spend thousands of dollars for FDA testing (which, as a small family business, we do not have) with no guarantee of approval. We were disappointed, but we decided not to launch our product.
It is important, however, to make sure you have the opportunity to make educated decisions. So, even if you're not using one of our products, we hope you will do your research to keep yourself and your family safe! We care about you!
We do believe in the health benefits of daily sunlight and the importance of Vitamin D to our health. But, we also want you to have an alternative to the chemically toxic mix of sunscreens currently being sold. So, let’s be responsible by keeping our exposure to a minimum between 10 AM and 2 PM, whenever possible. Let’s wear proper attire, including head and eye protection when spending extra time outdoors. And when you select a sunscreen for your family, check the label and make the best possible decision you can.
Natural, safe, effective skincare – the way God intended. That’s Yahwehs Naturals.
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