Summer is finally here and you are all getting prepared to visit some beach or swimming pool. You are all aware that the sun radiates UV rays that can be extremely harmful to health and that’s why most of you use sunscreens.
However, what you don’t know is that these products contain many toxins. The natural alternative to toxic sunscreens is virgin coconut oil.
This may be a surprise for some people, but the same coconut oil we keep on our kitchen countertops will provide excellent protection for your skin without the negative effects of toxins found in conventional sunscreens. As a matter of fact, coconut oil has been used for this purpose for hundreds of years by people who live in the Pacific islands.
So, the real question is – why pay more for products that come with side effects when you can use perfectly natural coconut oil?
There are basically two different types of ultraviolet (UV) rays produced by the sun – UVB and UVA. UVA rays are the ones that cause most of the skin damage when people are exposed to sun which can ultimately result in aging of skin and skin cancer. It is good to point out that UVB can also contribute to skin damage and sunburn, but these rays are good for the body because they produce vitamin D through the skin. This vitamin is crucial for protection against cancer.
There are many ways in which you can increase the level of vitamin D in your system, but sunlight is the most efficient one. This means that a complete block of UVB rays can increase the chance of developing cancer. In addition, sunscreens found in stores lead to cancer thanks to their carcinogenic ingredients.
Stay Away From Toxic Sunscreens
Environmental Working Group or EWG has announced that about ¾ of modern sunscreens include some kind of chemicals related to cancer and hormonal imbalance. Sunscreens that we found on the shelves in our local stores usually contain:
- Oxybenzone is a substance that disrupts hormones which results in cell damage and cancer;
- Retinyl palmitate is a well-known substance related to cancer;
- Titanium and zinc microparticles can be found in transparent sunscreen lotions.
These and many other chemicals that we apply on the skin go directly into the bloodstream and can produce negative effects similar to toxins consumed through the mouth.
The Sun Protection Factor (SPF) Hoax
According to a CNN article on sunscreens published in 2012, the EWG claims that consumers should avoid sunscreens that provide a sun protection factor greater than 50. SPF functions by absorbing, scattering, or reflecting sun rays on your skin.
This labeling is actually wrong because buyers believe that they are perfectly protected from the sun which is not true. In other words, a product that has SPF 80 doesn’t necessarily provide more protection than the one that provides SPF 30.
Recent studies have confirmed that sunscreens with SPF 15 block about 93% of all UVB rays while those with SPF 50 block about 98%. Sunscreens with higher SPF don’t provide much more protection because an SPF greater than 100 provides 99.1% protection from UVB rays. People don’t need this type of protection. They are just more expensive products that provide similar protection. Don’t forget that SPF is efficient only in cases of UVB rays.
Coconut oil comes with a SPF of 10. This means that about 90% of vitamin D-supporting UVB rays are stopped. But, the real question is how many people know that SPF measurement has nothing to do with UVA ray protection?
However, this fact doesn’t stop the American Cancer Society from continuing with its support of popular sunscreens. They advise application half an hour before sun exposure and about two hours after that. They also advise reapplying after sweating, towel wiping, and swimming.
Coconut Oil as a Natural Sunscreen
Exposure to the sun daily is crucial for your health in general. On the other hand, overexposure can lead to certain health issues. Proper exposure to the sun will help your body produce vitamin D. If you like to protect your skin from sunburn, use a natural sunscreen like coconut oil or use a safe sunscreen that doesn’t include chemicals that can produce side effects.
According to Bruce Fife, ND, author of the interesting book called Coconut Cures: Preventing and Treating Common Health Problems with Coconut Oil, coconut oil used topically on body parts exposed to sun keeps the skin perfectly safe from cancer and sunburn.
Nothing like commercial sunscreens, raw coconut oil doesn’t keep the UVB completely away from your skin. It keeps the skin safe from damage but allows these rays to contribute to vitamin D production too. With the help of coconut oil, people can avoid sunburns and getting red skin.
Based on his experience, Fife believes that coconut oil consumption can also improve skin health and make the skin more resistant to sunburn. He advises people to stay away from processed oil. So, before using this oil, make sure that it is raw and organic.
Via Natural Society