Ahh, summer is here and we are all trying to soak up the sunshine and warm weather.  Many of us are relishing in the longer days with hiking, barbecues, spending time at the beach, and summer vacationing.  With all this time in the sun, are we remembering to take care of our skin?

One of the biggest sources of toxins in the summer is unbelievably our sunscreen.  Most people are using toxic sun blocks and don’t even know it.  These harmful products with oxybenzone and octyl salicylate block the UVB rays, but not the more harmful UVA rays.  To safely block the sun this summer, try a product with zinc oxide as the active ingredient.  Zinc is a mineral that safely blocks both UVA and UVB rays.  It’s white and may take some effort to rub in, but it’s worth it.  To find great deals on safe sunscreens for the whole family try pharmaca, an integrative pharmacy with many safe and natural health care products. You can visit them at www.pharmaca.com.  Also to learn more about safe sunscreens go to http://www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen/best-beach-sport-sunscreens/

Here are a few recommendations for skin safe sunscreens:

1.  MyChelle Sun Shield, SPF 28- Mychelle’s line features dermaceutical-grade and bioactive ingredients that offer powerful but gentle protection. Zinc and titanium oxide offer full-spectrum UVA/UVB protection, along with soothing aloe and fortifying soybean oil.

2. Badger Sunscreen for Face and Body, in SPF 15 and 30
Badger’s SPF formulas are water resistant, safe for children of all ages, block both UVA and UVB rays with zinc oxide, and thoroughly moisturize while they protect your skin.

3.  LaRoche Posay Anthelios 40 Sunscreen Cream For long-lasting, high-SPF protection, turn to expert sunscreens from La Roche-Posay, one of Europe’s best-selling skin care lines. Anthelios is water resistant and protects skin on both face and body.

Mexoryl™ SX 3% protects against short UVA rays and is photostable on its own Octocrylene 10% protects against UVB rays Avobenzone 2% protects against long UVA rays and is stabilized by Octocrylene Titanium Dioxide 5% provides enhanced overall UVA and UVB protection

4.  Goddess Garden Facial Natural Sunscreen SPF 30+
Protect and repair with sheer UV-blocking ZinClear and 70 percent certified organic ingredients! Goddess Garden’s latest creation includes skin-healing aloe and green tea to repair skin from the sun’s damaging rays.

5.  Sunscreen for Kids- California Baby No Fragrance SPF 30+ Sunscreen Lotion
Trust the protection of your little ones’ skin to this allergy-tested line of sun care made with organic and sustainably grown ingredients.

In parting, have fun this summer, enjoy the sun, but do it safely with the right protection for your face and body.

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