HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FAMILY: OUR 2020 SUN CARE GUIDE

 

With summer in full swing, most of our time is being spent outdoors enjoying all that the season has to offer! The question of protecting our skin from harmful rays and how not to get burnt becomes a top priority, and we rely heavily on sunscreens to do the job of protecting us and our families from sun damage.

Thankfully many of us are now turning away from conventional chemical sunscreens and moving towards mineral-based ones.

Physical vs. Chemical Sunscreens

Mineral-based sunscreens behave differently than its chemical counterpart. For one, they are made from pure zinc oxide or titanium dioxide that act as a physical barrier and sits on top of the skin, instead of being absorbed into the skin. They work immediately, are safe for the environment, and do not have carcinogens and toxins that get absorbed into our bloodstream.

Quite often, however, when someone switches from a traditional sunscreen to a mineral-based one some common blunders occur with application, often leaving people to think its too whitening or just not working as well.

To help, we’ve compiled some tips to ensure you get the most out of our sunscreen so you and your loved ones can play safe this summer.

Best Practises – How To Apply Mineral Sunscreens

Tip 1: Put on Sunscreen Before Going Outside

Try to apply our mineral sunscreen at least 15 minutes before going outside. Although mineral sunscreens work right away, when outside we’re often distracted and just want to simply get going. By applying before heading out, this will ensure you are properly covered.

Tip 2: Try Moisturizing your Skin Prior to Applying Sunscreen

With the dermal layer a little more moisturized, it allows our sunscreen to spread readily into the skin. Although we do use skin quenching oils such as shea butter and jojoba seed oil in our sun care products, commonly if your skin is dry our sunscreen will tend to not spread as evenly, leaving a whitening effect on the skin.

Tip 3: Make Sure You’ve Used Enough

Based on Health Canada Guidelines, here’s the break down on how much to use per body part:

  • 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoons on your face and neck
  • 1 tsp on each arm
  • 2 tsp for your torso and each leg

While it’s difficult to gauge the exact measurement of sunscreen needed as each body is different, being liberal with your sunscreen application is better than using the “less is more” concept.

Tip 4: Apply in Layers

Begin with a pea to dime-sized amount of sunscreen and rub it evenly into the skin then apply more as needed until you are completely covered. As this is a physical barrier it’s okay if there is still a whitening effect on the skin. I find it comforting to be able to see where I‘ve applied our sunscreen, knowing I haven’t missed any spots, especially when it comes to little ones.

Tip 5: Apply Often… Don’t Wait Till You’ve Turned Red

A good rule of thumb is to aim to apply every two hours or every 40-80 minutes after swimming, sweating, drying off and brushing up against other things including clothes.

Other Things to Remember:

  • When you apply our sunscreen correctly the white appearance will fade and you will see a sheen on your skin instead. This is an indicator that the mineral base is protecting your skin adequately. Remember, if your skin is dry beforehand, apply moisturizer before applying the mineral sunscreen to help it spread evenly.
  • Be sure to wear lightweight, loose protective clothing as well as head wear.
  • Try to remain in shaded areas and keep hydrated throughout the day.
  • Avoid the peak sunlight and UV radiation hours of 10 AM to 4 PM.

 

Our Substance Natural Sun Care Creme is a mineral sunscreen that provides gentle yet highly effective protection. Our blend of natural oils and botanicals moisturizes and soothes all skin types including sensitive ones. Water-resistant, this formula is safe for both adults and children.

More Food for Thought…

Although the sun has been vilified in recent years, our bodies need the sun in order to produce sufficient amounts of Vitamin D. Having Vitamin D in your body can help ward off a myriad of diseases along with aiding hormonal regulations of our circadian cycle, helping you to achieve better sleep.