What is sunburn?

Sunburn  is quite uncomfortable and painful. Sunburn  can provoke aging and pigmentation on the skin the least and cancer on extreme cases.  The symptoms go from redness, inflammation , sensitivity to actually blisters, headaches, fever, fatigue and nauseas.

Prevention

Prevention is cure hence it is better not to get to the point of burning your skin by following some guidelines:

• Protect your head with a hat
• Keep hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Plenty means at least 2-3 litres of water daily
• Use natural, mineral physical sunscreen NOT chemicals ones that cause harsh secondary effects in your health as they can disrupt your endocrine system
• Be aware that strongest sun hours are from 12-4 pm. Avoid direct sun exposure between these times. Wear a hat, a t-shirt and sunscreen
• Expose your skin to the sun all year around especially at the sunrise and sunset . Your skin and your body will built melanin progressively hence you will get your natural skin defence.

Chemical vs Natural sun filters

I have been working in the cosmetic industry for 15 years and  I strongly feel the need to start speaking the truth after studying, researching sun care products.

As summer has officially started, my best recommendation for you is to use natural sun care products that use  NATURAL filters and plant extracts ONLY as opposed  to the CHEMICAL filters used in many supermarket and pharmacy brands which are highly toxic in so many ways.

CHEMICAL filters need to be applied 20 min before sun exposure to be effective, so the chemicals have enough time to  alter your body producing more free radical protection. By doing this,  you are taking the risk of disrupting your hormone system and altering the estrogens level , irritation on sensitive skin , redness,  irritation on eyes, clog pores, can cause rosacea and many other serious health risks.

Natural sun filters sit on top of the skin creating a healthy barrier against sun damage.  Natural filters will be effective immediately after applying on the skin, you don’t need to apply 20 min before sun exposure. Often natural sun care products has other natural ingredients apart from the sun filters that moisturize and prepare the skin for healthy sun exposure . They are also called sun protection boosters: karanja oil, pomegranate oil , carrot oil, prickly pear seed oil, raspberry oil, tamanu oil, astaxanthin,  vitamin C , buriti oil, shea butter, coconut butter that are specifically good to enhance sun protection .

Natural filters , especially the anhydrous type: balms and oils do not get dissolved in the water therefore you don’t need to re-apply every 1 or 2 hours as often recommended in chemical sun care products.

One important note, regardless the sunscreen product is chemical or natural . Sun filters must be micronized and non-nano . Nano-particles penetrate the skin much deeper . Not good . You don’t want weird substances in your bloodstream

Also the negative impact of chemical filters in the environment, oceans and aquatic beings is another big issue . Please protect yourself , your family and our beautiful beaches. Chemical sun products leave a plastic greasy layer on the sea that you might have seen sometimes on the beach. Disgusting and sad !

How we heal sunburn once has occurred 

Once you have burnt your skin you can do many things to repair the skin damage naturally .

• Apply Organic Aloe Vera gel is the most popular product . However try to find one that has not synthetics and harsh preservatives and no colorants. Aloe vera gel is not green , it is transparent.
• Or an after sun product that contain Aloe Vera and other ingredients that work well synergistically so the result is much better than apply only aloe vera on its own. The anti-inflammatory soothing best ingredients are: bisabolol, allantoin, chamomile extract, cucumber extract, hyaluronic acid is a must to replenish the skin from water loss, vitamin E, colloidal oatmeal, calamine
• Chamomile tea bath. Just fill your bath with hot water and add few chamomile tea bags . Wait until the water temperature cools down to tepid water and enjoy a calming anti-inflammatory relaxing bath.

Recommendations

Products that contain Erythrulose is a great idea as will keep your nice tan for longer.

Avoid

Fragrances, harsh preservatives, alcohol,

Happy summer!

La Mayca x