Protecting our skin from too much sun is important. We get vitamin D from the sun which we need. There can be deformities with bone growth and development when we don’t get enough vitamin D. However, too much sun can lead to sun spots, leathery skin, and sometimes cancer. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, skin cancer has risen 300% in the last 20 years (1). That’s pretty scary. There are more ads out there about sunscreen than ever and tons of options at the store, so why is there such an increase in skin cancer when there are so many options available?

Whatever other possible reasons for the increase in skin cancer, one thing is for certain, the majority of the ingredients used in the most sunscreens these day consist of synthetic ingredients that are difficult to pronounce.

So what are these ingredients? Chemicals. Putting chemicals on skin, the largest organ we have, doesn’t seem like the best idea. These chemicals don’t just sit on our skin like a shield. They can penetrate the skin and get into our bodies. Chemicals have been found in mother’s milk and can even affect our hormones (2).

There’s also the interesting fact that sunscreens block some of the UV rays that we need to get the Vitamin D from the sun. Even more interesting, is that fact that Vitamin D helps to fight cancer; sunscreens can block Vitamin D UVB rays, but will allow cancer causing UVA rays (3). It’s even worth spending money on better sunscreen because some of the lower quality sunscreens have a derivative of Vitamin A that has been shown to increase the rate of skin tumors and lesions.

So, while this is slightly worrisome, there are natural options available out there that will help protect you from the sun. It is still recommended that even with using all-natural sunscreens, it is best to ease your body into the amount of sun that you’re getting; it is still possible to get a sun burn if the sun is too intense for your skin.

Green Gaia Essentials Organic Sunscreen is made simply of coconut oil, shea butter, beeswax, raspberry seed oil, carrot seed oil, and rose hip oil. An added bonus to this sunscreen, is that if you do happen to get too much sun and get a little burnt, keep applying this! The ingredients in this not only have SPF properties, but they help heal if you do get a little crispy.

Coconut oil Coconut Oil has been used for years to help moisturize the skin, protect from the sun, and keep the skin looking youthful. Helps protect from free radicals (SPF 8), supports tissue repair, and is a natural pain reliever. Coconut oil is also antibacterial and antiviral. It’s rich in saturated fats and lauric acid.

Shea Butter Shea butter comes from the nut of the African shea tree. Rich in vitamins A, K, & Z as well as essential fatty acids. Offers natural sun protection (SPF 6).

Beeswax is used to help thicken the oil.

Raspberry seed oil Raspberry seed oil is rich in Omega 3’s and 6’s and are found in the forms of linoleic acid, linolenic acid and oleic acids. Omega 3’s and 6’s help to reduce the effects of oxidative stress on the skin, and protects against free radicals. Raspberry seed oil is also an anti-inflammatory and contains Vitamin A which help reapair the skin if you get sun burnt. This is a broad spectrum sun protectant (SPF 50).

Carrot seed oil Carrot seed oil is very moisturizing for your skin; it helps with water retention, so it’s keeping moisture in your skin. The drier your skin, the quicker it is to burn. It’s rich in Vitamins B, C, D, and E. It is an antiseptic and a stimulant. It is also a natural detoxifier and anti-carcinogenic. Carrot seed oil helps to prevent wrinkles. (SPF 40).

Rose hip oil contains Vitamin A which helps to moisturize dry, mature skin. It helps to promote elastin levels cell regeneration which is essential for your skin if you spend a lot of time in the sun; this will help maintain a youthful look to your skin and help prevent the leathery look that can happen with too much sun. It’s also high in essential oils and Vitamin E.

May is National Melanoma/Skin Cancer Awareness Month. It’s recommended by dermatologists to use at least a 30 SPF. This sunscreen has been ok’d by a dermatologist to meet that recommendation. No matter what your sun care habits are, it is best to look over your body each year for suspicious areas and to see a dermatologist anytime there is a the slightest area that is questionable. You can get your own GGE Organic Sunscreen here.

(1) http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-facts/nonmelanoma-skin-cancer-incidence-jumps-by-approximately-300-percent

(2) http://www.ewg.org/2014sunscreen/the-trouble-with-sunscreen-chemicals/

(3) http://www.naturalnews.com/045825_sunscreen_harmful_chemicals_UV_rays.html?utm_content=bufferf1457&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer#ixzz36KVxssH3