Feel the Burn! Whether going on vacation or just out for a day of fun, the last thing you want to worry about is a painful sunburn or worse yet, skin cancer. In recent years we’ve all been told to be sure to slather on the sunscreen before you head out. But do you know if the one you have is REALLY working? Today I’ll be talking about why sun protection matters, what to do when you DO get sunburn, and review some of the most effective and least effective sunscreens on the market today.

Sunscreen, Sunburn, No Fun Last week when I picked up my kids I noticed my oldest son had gotten some sun. He is blonde and fair skinned and in the beginning of the summer he usually gets some kind of burn before it turns to tan. But this time, the following day he experienced sunburn itch on his chest, back and shoulders. One of the best ways to naturally treat sunburn is by applying the soft sticky gel of an aloe plant. My mom used to keep one in her bathroom and we would just cut off a fat leaf and open it up. Other natural home remedies are: Taking a cool bath and adding: • 1C apple cider vinegar (balances the PH and promotes healing). • Adding Oatmeal to the bath eases the itch! • Lavendar or Chamomile essential oils relieve some of the stinging. • 2C Baking soda will help ease irritation and redness from the burn. • Apply cool, not cold, milk or yogurt to the affected areas can also be soothing to the skin.

So other than the painful burn that can come from getting too much sun, why do we need sun protection and which sunscreens are most effective? We need protection from the powerful rays of the sun. Specifically, UVA and UVB rays. Look for sunscreens that protect from both. UVB rays are short range and are the ones that cause sunburns to the skin, but UVA rays are actually more abundant and consistent in intensity throughout the year. These sneaky rays cause damage to your immune system and aging of the skin over time. Too much exposure to UVA rays has also been linked to different types of skin cancers and since it does damage the immune system, it makes fighting off the cancer more difficult. There is NO perfect sunscreen. Even mineral based sunscreens can contain ingredients that can cross the blood-brain barrier and also harm aquatic life. And unlike other lotions, we apply thick layers sometimes several times throughout the day. That is why it is so important to look for the safest sunscreens and recognize that you can’t rely on them for overexposure. Here are just a few of the best and the worst sunscreens out there: 1. All Good Unscented Sunstick, SPF 30 2. Bare Belly Organics Sunscreen, SPF 30 3. Goddess Garden Organics Everyday Natural Sunscreen, SPF 30 4. Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Sensitive Skin Sunscreen, SPF 30 And the worst: 1. Banana Boat Kids Continuous Sunscreen Spray, SPF 100 2. Banana Boat Kids Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 100 3. Coppertone Sunscreen Foaming Lotion Sunscreen Kids Wacky Foam, SPF 70 4. Coppertone Sunscreen Continuous Spray Kids, SPF 70 Finally, be wary of super high SPF claims. The U.S. hasn’t approved ingredients that would do a better job of broad-spectrum protection. Other countries usually cap their SPF at 50. For a longer list of good vs bad sunscreens, visit my website: www.supersimplehealthy.com.

Until next time: Keep it Simple. Be Healthy.