Sun Care 101: Your Guide to Glow
Rebecca LeeNotice how good it feels when the sun warms your face for the first time in spring? Of course you do!
The benefits of sunlight for our physical and mental health are abundant - it enhances our mood, combats anxiety, balances hormones, bolsters our immune system and can improve inflammatory skin conditions like eczema.
Here are our top tips for living in harmony with the sunshine this summer.
Soak Up The Rays
Our bodies and bones need sunlight to survive. Our skin synthesises sunlight into vitamin D3, a crucial (and often deficient) hormone that boosts immune function, repairs organs, lowers insulin levels, reduces blood pressure, improves neuromuscular functioning and more.
Balance is key - while we must protect ourselves from overexposure, the health benefits of moderate, natural sunlight are incredible. Did you know that the healing power of the sun has been harnessed across cultures for centuries in a treatment known as heliotherapy?
The best time to make vitamin D is in the morning, between sunrise and solar noon*, when the sun isn’t as strong. Gazing at the sunrise (and sunset) helps set your circadian rhythm too, meaning balanced energy and better quality sleep.
Every morning I'll make a tea and get outside for at least 15 minutes. Minimal clothing and barefoot is best, but if it's overcast, that's ok too! I find this to be such an easy practice that calms my mind before it gets busy and regulates my nervous system throughout the day.
* Apps Circadian and D Minder are great for notifying about sunrise, solar noon, UVA and UVB timings and more.
Let's Talk About Suncream
If you want to spend longer outdoors, lather up! But which one to choose?
If you want to spend longer outdoors, lather up! But which one to choose?
Suncreams made with chemical or synthetic ingredients work by absorbing the sun’s rays and disabling our in-built warning system - sunburn. We need our body to let us know when it can no longer protect itself, otherwise we risk overexposing ourselves to UVB rays and can cause harmful damage.
On the other hand, a natural mineral-based suncream such as Sol Mate uses non-nanoparticle zinc oxide as the active ingredient. This mineral provides effective protection against both UVA and UVB rays by sitting on the skin and reflecting the sun’s rays.
We love Sol Mate suncream because it leaves no white cast, smells divine, and is 100% earth-friendly! Paired with moisturising botanicals like olive oil, carrot seed oil and shea butter, you can spend longer in the sun knowing you are protected by the potent power of plants.
Sun Care = Skin Care
A simple skincare routine is key. Keep your skin barrier (the epidermis) healthy by using natural oils to cleanse and moisturise, and gently exfoliate with a body brush.
A simple skincare routine is key. Keep your skin barrier (the epidermis) healthy by using natural oils to cleanse and moisturise, and gently exfoliate with a body brush.
Virgin coconut, olive and sea buckthorn oils are packed with nourishing antioxidants. Our personal favourite is jojoba oil - a golden, deeply moisturising, peptide and Vitamin E-rich oil perfect for sensitive skin.
Take Time To Tan
Tanning is our body's natural process for protecting our skin. As we build up tolerance to the sun, we produce more melanin (the tanned-skin pigment), which is designed to guide our interaction with the sun.
Tanning is our body's natural process for protecting our skin. As we build up tolerance to the sun, we produce more melanin (the tanned-skin pigment), which is designed to guide our interaction with the sun.
This is why it’s important to build up this natural melanin base gradually, beginning ideally in the spring, and especially on holiday.
Listen to your body. Isn’t it incredible how our bodies have innate ways of protection and communication? Pay close attention to how your body responds to being in the sun. Starting to feel warm? Seek shade.
Eat Your SPF
Fill your plate with a kaleidoscope of nourishing pigment-rich plants and healthy fats to boost your internal SPF.
Fill your plate with a kaleidoscope of nourishing pigment-rich plants and healthy fats to boost your internal SPF.
Illuminating Rays of Restoration
Sunlight is not to be feared. It just takes a little patience, mindfulness and intuition to live in harmony with this life-giving force.
Sunlight is not to be feared. It just takes a little patience, mindfulness and intuition to live in harmony with this life-giving force.
Arm yourself with natural botanical oils, remember your hat, stay hydrated and step into the light - warmth, vibrancy and radiance await!
