Summer Health

Look friends. I've beaten this subject to the ground. There's only so many times I can tell you to apply sunscreen. Seriously, your skin is a fragile organism that needs protection. If that doesn't change your mind, think about an old leather bag, then imagine it as your skin because that's what will happen when you don't apply sunscreen.

I have five tips for your summer. They are simple. If you need more, the Canada.ca website for sun safety basics is a good resource.

1) APPLY SUNSCREEN EVERY 80 MINUTES

Which sunscreen will you use? Well, I suggest a mineral sunscreen that doesn't have oxybenzone, octinoxate, octisalate, and avobenzone, common ingredients that cause bleeching of the coral reefs. I did some research because mineral sunscreens can be a bit hard to find, but not impossible. They also have a higher price tag, but still, it's better for the environment. I'm not an expert though, so do your own research before buying sunscreen this year.

A synthetic sunscreen is filled with oxybenzone and octinoxate with absorb the UVA rays and turns them into heat and let's them go out of your body. Hawaii has banned these two ingredients in sunscreens and so have other counties in Florida.

A mineral sunscreen generally is made of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. These chemicals absorb into your skin and reflect the UV rays. These tend to leave a white film, but according the the web, they have gotten a lot better and are better developed.

Also, please remember that sunscreens are designed for face and body, so don't use the body sunscreen on your face, unless you like breakouts.

Finally aerosols are terrible for the environment and apply sunscreen 20 minutes before going outside. I didn't test any of these sunscreens, I just wanted you to know you can buy them.

Here are some sunscreens I found, which can be found in Canada: - Drunk Elephant Umbra Sheer™ Physical Daily Defense SPF 30,90mL,un-tinted, $42

- Drunk Elephant Umbra Tinte™ Physical Daily Defense SPF 30, 60mL, tinted, $44

- Aveeno Mineral Sunscreen, Spf 50, 88mL, $16

- Coola SPF 30 Mineral Face Matte Cucumber, 50mL, $48

- Sunthera3 Mineral SPF 50+ Baby Sun Protection Lotion, 100mL,$13

- Ombrelle Sunscreen Lotion 100% Mineral for Body Spf 50, 120 mL, $20

- Coppertone® Mineral Sunscreen Lotion Pure & Simple, 177mL, $10

Lots of options at varying prices all available in Canada. I did my best to read all the ingredients and I think all of these are good options.

2) Wear sunglasses

Your eyes are the nipple of the face (comment below if you know what movie that is from)

Anyways, you need to protect your eyes they re so important and when they are gone, they are gone.

3) Wear a hat

Your scalp is also prone to burning and it hurts when it does. I think we can all agree it's the worst burn because it hurts to shower and then it flakes and looks like you have dandruff. Also, hats are a super cute accessory.

4) Drink water

It's so important to stay hydrated! Once your hydration goes it's so easy to get overheated and feel sluggish and gross. So drink water before you feel thirsty.

5) Limit your sun time

Stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm because the sun is at it's strongest.

The sun is dangerous and I know it's fun to feel tanned and to finally have some sun to look at, but it can cause serious problems, even when it's not sunny out! Please remember your skin this summer.

Thanks for reading,

Samantha