Sunscreen blog
This sunscreen blog will help you stay up to date on news about sunscreen, the dangers and benefits of sunlight and related health matters...
Organic sunscreen
Where sun care is concerned, the demand for a truly organic sunscreen continues to rise. In response, there is an increasing number of organic sunscreen products becoming available, but there are vast areas for improvement.
Sunscreen products
It is the opinion of many researchers out there, that the majority of the sunscreen products today offer inadequate protection against the harmful effects of the sun's ultraviolet radiation.
Skin types
Which of the multitude of skin types is yours is one of the key things to understand when you are concerned about protecting your skin from the potentially damaging UV rays of the sun.
Sun shades
Sun shades are sold globally in all sorts of shapes and sizes with a multitude of functions to meet the ever increasing needs of sun savvy people.
Vitamin D deficiency treatment
Vitamin D deficiency treatment may be required by any number of people around the globe as a vitamin D deficiency can be found in people of all ages, sexes, cultures and geographical locations
Swedish public outcry against tanning
An H&M swimsuit advertising campaign across 43 countries globally, featuring a really deeply tanned model, received a wave of objections in Sweden. This prompted the Swedish Cancer Society to accuse H&M of actually endorsing cancer-causing ultraviolet (UV) tanning—and a potentially life-threatening habit. This can be likened to the whole cigarette world of advertising, which has been severely curtailed and no longer promotes smoking as the trendy thing to do, but now warns every person either reading an advert or buying a cigarette box, about the dangers of smoking and cancer.
These H&M adverts are seen by the Swedish Cancer Society as lucrative adverts to a trend that will contribute to more people dying of cancer, in this instance, skin cancer. The Swedish Cancer Society said in a newspaper editorial. “Every year more people in Sweden die of skin cancer than in traffic accidents, and the main cause is too much sunning.”
However, the one thing many Swedish people seem to need is more Vitamin D and the absolute best way to obtain this is through exposure to the sun's UVB rays, unprotected. So, the more aware we all are about how great the sun's health qualities are, but that moderation is a key factor, the better off we will all be.
Needless to say, H&M apologised in an email sent to the global news agency Agence France-Presse, explaining: “It was not our intention to show off a specific ideal or to encourage dangerous behaviour.”
'Organic' from China exposed
Fascinating article on the environmental issues China faces, in relation to us consumers who end up eating or using products originating from China and labelled 'organic'.
Organic farming in a clean environment produces clean, organic foods and cosmetic ingredients. But organic farming in a polluted environment produces contaminated 'organic' foods. And China is known to be one of the most polluted chemical cesspools on the planet.
China is a nation that has virtually no environmental regulation enforcement. In China, anything goes: You can dump mercury into rivers. You can spray raw human sewage sludge on crops. You can produce factory-made chemicals and blow the waste products right into the air through smokestacks. In China, many rivers are so toxic that, from time to time, they actually catch on fire and burn.
It's so bad that a Chinese environmental official was recently offered over US$30,000 to take a 20-minute swim in a local river.
He DECLINED. Why? Because the river there is so polluted that swimming in it would mean certain death.
Without any legislature or organic bodies in China enforcing anything, the global consumer ends up with a choice - do I consume anything "made in China", never mind something labelled organic and "made in China"? A pair of shoes maybe, or a shirt, but foods or cosmetics - no thanks.
Another study supporting the benefits of zinc for our health
Of all the active sunscreen ingredients approved of by the various global legislative health organisations, zinc oxide seems to ride way ahead of the rest from a health perspective. This new study further enhances the wonderful benefits of zinc. I love the vision of the zinc particles being 'lured away' to help defend anything threatening the body's immune system. Also, rather a natural mineral as a base for me than any other synthetic chemical and especially not the mineral titanium.
Continue reading "Another study supporting the benefits of zinc for our health"
Mens skin care
In our rapidly urbanised lifestyle, mens skin care has become of increasing interest as the benefits are appreciated more.
What can I do if I am allergic to sunscreen?
When I use a sunscreen, or even when there is sun protection in my face moisturiser, I seem to react with these small red bumps all over my face, neck
Continue reading "What can I do if I am allergic to sunscreen?"
Topical Vitamin D good for Dry Skin Conditions?
Johnson and Johnson may be looking to put vitamin D in some of their products for dry skin or xerosis. This comment is made by The Vitamin D Council's Dr. Cannell after looking into some research done by J&J on the effectiveness of Vitamin D creams.
The results look encouraging and some of the comments received to the article affirm how good Vitamin D creams have been for some people's various skin conditions, including excema, psoriasis and dermatitis.
Continue reading "Topical Vitamin D good for Dry Skin Conditions?"
Complex chemical sunscreens seen as superior to natural sunscreens?
University of Canberra in Australia's head of pharmacy, Greg Kyle, believes that complex chemical sunscreens are a better bet than the natural alternatives, like zinc oxide. Although he agrees that parents should keep their children away from contaminating chemicals wherever possible, he seems to have no faith in the natural based sunscreens.
This is despite the fact that there are some extremely effective natural sunscreens that not only provide quality protection, they cover more of the UV spectrum. Most importantly for me, they provide the best protection possible from the deeper penetrating UVA rays and can provide for over SPF40 for UVB protection, which is effectively about 97.8% protection.
Continue reading "Complex chemical sunscreens seen as superior to natural sunscreens?"
Vitamin D and Obesity
Vitamin D being fat soluble has shown up in obese people's tendency to have lower levels of the vitamin in their blood. In a recent study, obese women were shown to transfer less vitamin D to their offspring compared to lean women.
Although it is unknown what health risks babies born with vitamin D insufficiency may face, there is increasing evidence that it is linked to an increase in autoimmune diseases, inflammation and obesity itself.
Black is beautiful - or is it?
The University of Cape Town in South Africa have recently been studying the reasons why Black South Africans like to use skin whiteners - seemingly in increasing numbers.
What is extra confounding is the fact that the chemicals used are extremely dangerous, commonly causing a severe skin condition called ochronosis, plus blood cancers such as leukaemia and cancers of the liver and kidneys.
It seems a white skin is seen as that much more desirable that they flaunt the potential dangers. One mother even used skin lightening creams on her child from a very young age.
The flip side is that so many of those with white skins desire a tanned looking skin to feel that much more healthy and sexy looking!
How crazy are we all? To just be happy as we are is not enough it seems?
Exciting UVA sunscreen breakthrough
An exciting scientific breakthrough where UVA protection is concerned has recently been disclosed. UVA-activated caged iron chelators (CIC's) will only activate when a certain level of UVA has been reached. Sort of intelligent sun protection?! And especially exciting to see such research where UVA is concerned, which does a far deeper level damage than the UVB rays.
Cellulite and Tanning
How sorry was I to read that it's a myth that tanning can hide cellulite! What was interesting to learn was that tanning may make the cellulite less obvious, but when the tan fades, the cellulite might look even worse. That's because frequent exposure to UV rays can damage the skin, making it thinner and less resilient, according to the International Academy of Cosmetic Dermatology.But better than this, there are great tips on how best to deal with your cellulite. Roll on 2013 - I'm going to go for no cellulite!
Vitamin D, K2 and Magnesium are the combination is the secret to healthy bones!
Just when I thought Vitamin D was all I needed to make sure my health status was optimised and my bones will be strong into my elderly years, along comes compelling research to tel me that not all revolves around vitamin D. Vitamin K2 and Magnesium are also required and Calcium is not the bone essential I thought it was. This video interview provides the detail.
Continue reading "Vitamin D, K2 and Magnesium are the combination is the secret to healthy bones!"
Is vitamin D the wonder vitamin?
Can Vitamin D prevent certain cancers and chronic diseases? These answers and more are addressed in this educational video brought to you by UCSD School of Medicine and GrassrootsHealth.
Sunscreen allergies
I used to think that allergic reactions to sunscreens were rare events, but as sunscreens have become more and more prevalent I have become aware of how common allergies actually are. The chemical sunscreens are 99% of the time the culprits, so the safest solution is to get a sunscreen that contains no chemical sunscreens, but rather choose ONLY zinc oxide based sunscreens. Without ANY combination with the chemical ones. ie one active ingredient only.
Broccoli seen to be an incredible health food
It always amazes me how many people really hate eating broccoli, and it's not just children. Especially after finding out just how much goodness there is in the compound sulforaphane, found in abundance in Broccoli. It is believed to have both preventive and therapeutic properties for fighting off blood cancers and solid tumors. Better than eating loads of the vegetable, you can also absorb the compound in concentrated form transdermally through creams or sunscreens.
Continue reading "Broccoli seen to be an incredible health food"
Do you have a question or story about the benefits or dangers of sun exposure?
New! Comments
Have your say... please leave me a comment in the box below.