Go natural and get glowing, healthy skin this summer

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BATTLE GROUND – Those of us who live in the western parts of Washington and Oregon tend to be more nonchalant about protecting our skin from the sun’s damaging rays than people in, say, California or Florida.

Then we get a summer like this one, with its weeks of cloudless, sunny days, and our minds start to wonder: Am I getting too much sun? How can I avoid doing damage to my skin?

Of course, the easiest way to avoid sun damage to your skin is to just stay out of the sun. But who wants to be inside when you can be swimming all day and enjoying a couple months of glorious summer weather? No one, that’s who.

With a little planning and a few choice products, you can take care of your skin and still enjoy the string of sunny days ahead, says Elizabeth Henderson, a Battle Ground esthetician who emphasizes all-natural products over harsh chemicals and brings a holistic and naturopathic focus to her skincare business. Here are Henderson’s recommendations for achieving natural, glowing – and adequately protected – skin this summer:

Choose minerals over chemicals – The most common sunscreens are made up of chemical filters like oxybenzone, avobenzone and octisalate. The chemicals can help you achieve a high level of protection from the UVB and UVA rays that damage skin and contribute to skin cancer, but can also pose their own health hazards.

According to the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit research group that collects data on chemicals used in sunscreen and thousands of other skincare products, the side effects of these chemicals can be far-reaching. In the EWG’s report on chemical sunscreens, the group cautions that “laboratory studies of several sunscreen chemicals indicate that they may mimic hormones and disrupt the hormone system. Some research on animals suggests that oxybenzone (used in nearly every chemical sunscreen) can be toxic to reproductive systems and interfere with normal development.”

You can check your favorite sunscreen’s health risks on the EWG’s website, www.ewg.org/2015sunscreen, which ranks nearly every sunscreen sold in the United States and lists the chemical ingredients and any affiliated research reports on potential health hazards.

Instead of risking the chemicals, Henderson recommends applying a “physical barrier” like a mineral sunscreen. Mineral sunscreens use zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to provide an actual physical barrier from the sun’s damaging rays, and typically receive a higher safety rating on the EWG’s site than the more common chemical sunscreens.

Henderson buys sunscreen online from a company called Coola, which uses a blend of minerals to give high sun protection without the harsh chemicals. But there are plenty of mineral sunscreens sold locally. Brands like Alba Botanica, Aubrey Organics and Badger all offer several mineral-based sunscreens that rank high on the EWG’s list of “safest sunscreens.” What’s more, all three of these brands can be found in local markets like Fred Meyer (in the “Natural Foods” section), Chuck’s Produce, New Seasons and Whole Foods.

The EWG recommends sunscreens that use zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, saying that these minerals in particular, “provide strong sun protection with few health concerns, don’t break down in the sun and (in the case of zinc oxide) offer good protection from UVA rays.”

Don’t skimp on the sunscreen – Henderson says many people apply sunscreen to their face and maybe their shoulders, but forget to slather it the rest of their body, including on their chests and the tops of their feet, where the sun is likely to cause damage during the summer months.

“I would recommend putting sunscreen on at least a half-hour before you go out in the sun, and then reapplying it throughout the day,” Henderson says.

Reapplying sunscreen is especially important if you’re playing in the water or sweating a lot, because that physical mineral barrier is going to slide off your skin in about 90 minutes.

“Get out of the water, dry off, reapply the sunscreen and then wait at least 15 minutes before you get back in the water,” Henderson says.

Skip the peels – Henderson offers a full range of microdermabrasion and glycolic peels to help clarify and tone skin, but she won’t do either service during the summer months.

“With the microdermabrasion and the peels, you’re exposing fresh skin,” Henderson explains. “When you go out in the sun, you are at higher risk of sun damage. I never do peels in the summertime.”

Another good thing to avoid? Vitamin A. Although many skincare products add Vitamin A to minimize the effects of aging, Henderson cautions that the vitamin tends to increase photosensitivity and exposes the skin to more intense sun damage.



The EWG’s report also cautions against using sunscreens with added Vitamin A and says studies suggest that the retinyl palmitate form of Vitamin A used in skincare products “may speed the development of skin tumors and lesions when applied to the skin in the presence of sunlight.”

Layer your products – Henderson likes to layer her sun protection and says there are a number of daily moisturizers and foundations that have added mineral sunscreen for greater sun protection.

Most mineral makeups include zinc oxide in their list of ingredients and can provide a nice boost of sun protection during the summer months as well as throughout the year.

“Wear the sunscreen even when it’s not sunny out,” Henderson says. “Sometimes you get the worst burns on cloudy days. So it’s good to wear it daily, not just in the summer when you’re getting more sun.”

Beware of spray-on sunscreens – Although they are extremely popular right now, Henderson says she doesn’t recommend the spray-on sunscreens. First of all, most of them include the chemicals that rank low on the EWG’s safe sunscreen list. But Henderson points out other problems with the popular sprays.

“You can inhale it, which isn’t good,” Henderson says. “And most people spray it on, but never spread it out, so they’re risking sun damage on the areas not covered by the spray. I personally won’t use it.”

If you do like the ease of the spray, Henderson recommends some of the more natural, non-aerosol sprays that include minerals instead of chemicals in their list of ingredients. When you do use a pump spray sunscreen, Henderson says you should pump it into your hand and then spread it out evenly to get the most protection.

Remember the little things – Don’t forget to put sunscreen on your lips, Henderson says.

“You can use a lip product with an SPF in it,” Henderson says. “And natural is better, since it’s on your lips.”

If you’re going to be out in the sun for a long time, Henderson recommends wearing a sun hat to better protect the delicate skin on your face and neck.

And, remember to keep hydrated – on the inside and the outside.

“Keeping hydrated is especially important for your skin in the summertime,” Henderson says. “The sun can really dry out your skin, so you need to make sure that you’re drinking a lot of water and that you’re keeping your skin nice and hydrated.”

She also recommends using a light moisturizer during the summer months to add another layer of hydration to sun-stressed skin. Look for gel or light lotion moisturizers that won’t clog your pores and will feel nice on hot summer days, Henderson says.

Treat burns naturally – If you do happen to get a sunburn, Henderson says reach for natural ingredients like aloe vera — she takes hers straight from the many aloe vera plants that she grows in pots around the house.

“Aloe is great for the skin, especially after a burn. It’s healing and cooling. Just apply it directly from the plant, or look for 100-percent aloe vera gel,” Henderson says. “Or use a little coconut oil. It’s also very healing for the skin.”

For more skincare information and tips on how to make your skincare routine more natural, visit Henderson’s website at www.Radianceskinbyelizabeth.com, or make an appointment for a facial with Henderson at the Purple Pear Body Therapy spa, 113 S. Parkway, Battle Ground, (360) 687-1781. For more information about the EWG’s list of safest sunscreens, visit http://www.ewg.org/2015sunscreen.