Why We're Anti-Sunscreen

FUN FACT: Your body gets a majority of the Vitamin D that it produces from {{drumroll please}} SUN EXPOSURE! 

That's right...your body actually CREATES Vitamin D using sunlight!

The major biological function of vitamin D is to maintain normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium, helping to form and maintain strong bones. (1) 

When your skin isn't exposed regularly to unencumbered sunlight, your body's vitamin D stores can suffer immensely. A few symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency are fatigue, depression, slow wound healing, bone loss, back pain, frequent infections and colds and joint pain.  In fact, it’s estimated that more than 40% of American adults have a vitamin D deficiency. (2)

 

So, in order to maintain adequate Vitamin D levels, make sure you're getting at least 15-20 minutes of unprotected sunlight each day!

 

A few of the key benefits of more regular sun exposure are: enhanced mood, reduced depression & feelings of anxiety, improved sleep quality & duration, improved immune support, and improved muscle function, growth and recovery!

Try sitting in the sun without sunscreen on between 1 and 30 minutes (depending on how sensitive your skin is). This amount of time may be less for fair-skinned individuals and longer for those with darker skin. After you've acquired whatever amount of unprotected sunlight that you feel is best, be sure to apply a mineral-based sunblock! A few of my personal favorites are Pacifica Coconut Probiotic SPF30, Thinkbaby SPF 50+ and Supergoop Sunnyscreen 100% Mineral Lotion SPF 50. And if you'd like to understand more about how your current sunscreen rates on the scale of "clean" to "dirty, check out EWG's Guide to Safer Sunscreen! It's an amazing tool to help take the guesswork out of buying safer products!

Remember, mineral based sunscreens need to be applied more frequently. If you're going to be at the beach all day, make sure you bring plenty!  Another great alternative to sunscreen is sun-blocking elements, like big hats, long-sleeve UV shirts and umbrellas!

Now, I know what some of you are thinking...isn't skin cancer also bad? YES, there are definitely dangerous consequences to getting too much sun, like sunburns, heat stroke and skin changes. However, when tended to responsibly, you can have the best of both worlds!

The bottom line: Regular sun exposure is the most natural way to get enough vitamin D.

Finally, if by chance you're in the sun for a tad bit too long, remember to have plenty of our tallow-based Body Butta on hand! High in vitamins A, D, K and E, our Body Buttas will help to replenish the nutrients that your skin lost during that fun-in-the-sun! 

As always...Your skin is your largest organ. Treat. It. Well!

 

 

(1) - https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/otcfocusvitamind-0210

(2) - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21310306/

 

* If you've followed us for a while, you know that here at FATCO, we're insanely passionate about introducing you to brands that are working hard to make this world a better place. All of the products listed above are products that I personally use and LOVE! But, we also need to pay the bills. So, this blog post does contain a few affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a small commission. Thanks in advance!


Leave a comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published