What Are The Best Natural Sunscreens?

October 23, 2014 · 64 Comments

What are the best natural sunscreens?

It’s a question that comes up again and again from my readers, so today I have a list for you of the best natural sunscreens in Australia.

I am sure you are aware that regular sunscreen is in fact, full of toxic ingredients that are detrimental to your health and the environment. I won’t bore you with the science but if you want to read up on the studies, two great resources are Dr Peter Dingle and Nicole Bijlsma who explain it really well to us non-scientists!

“Despite the fact that more people use sunscreen than ever before, the rate of skin cancer continues to rise. Research conducted by the Environmental Working Group in 2011, revealed that the great majority of sunscreens do not protect against both UVA and UVB rays and in addition, may contain chemicals that affect our hormones, damage the skin and in some cases, actually increase the rate of skin cancer.” Nicole Bijlsma

I have some qualms about using any sunscreen at all, considering that even the natural ones can contain nanoparticles. Then we have the new research telling us that sunscreen interferes with our Vitamin D absorption. It’s really quite confusing!

It’s probably a good idea to do your own research and read up a little more to decide what is best for your family. These are some things we do to balance the risk of sunburn with the beneficial effects of the sun.

♥ Avoid the sun in the hottest part of the day. Living in Queensland, it’s sunny most of the year round, so it’s really easy to get burnt quickly. If possible, we do our outside stuff before 10am or after 4pm.

♥ Cover up. Hats, t-shirts, longer-sleeve shirts, rash vests, sunglasses and umbrellas all come out if we have to go out in the hottest part of the day. Finding shade is also a good idea!

♥ Use coconut oil. It has a natural SPF of about 7, so use it with care. According to Bruce Fife “one of the oldest uses for coconut oil is as a sun screen / suntan lotion. Islanders have been using coconut oil for this purpose for thousands of years. In the tropics where the climate is hot, islanders traditionally wore little clothing so that they could keep themselves cool. To protect themselves from the burning rays of the hot tropical sun they applied a thin layer of coconut oil over their entire body. This would protect them from sunburn, improve skin tone and help keep annoying insects away.” Carrot Seed oil also has an SPF factor, but it is a little smelly!

♥ Use natural sunscreens. Sometimes we just need extra protection for things like all day sports events and a good natural sunscreen provide that additional coverage.

This is the list of some of the best natural sunscreens in Australia.

Like skincare, sunscreen is a personal thing and depends on a lot on your skin type. So, try out a few until you get one that is just right for you!

Hello Sunshine

(our number one favourite)

Wotnot

Eco All Natural Sunscreen Lotion

UV Natural Sunscreen

Soleo Organic Sunscreen

Moo Goo

Simple As That

Little Innoscents

So they are my top picks for natural sunscreen.

Is your favourite on my list? What do you use? I would love to know!

You might also like to read:

The best natural insect repellents

The best natural perfumes

The best natural makeup brands

The best Australian natural skincare

The ultimate guide to natural deodorants

Why I walk….

September 11, 2012 · 15 Comments

Walking has always been something I have been in the habit of doing. It is so good for my mind, body and soul. I love it.

These photos were taken on my walk this morning. If that’s not enough to inspire you, here are some other reasons I love to walk.

Exercise. Well we all know we have to do some sort of exercise, right? The body was designed to move and mine feels better when I do. I think walking is the best exercise there is. You don’t need any special equipment, it’s free, it’s easy and you just head out your front door and there you are… walking!

Meditation. Walking is a great moving meditation. Sometimes I will focus on my breath, or repeat a mantra or affirmation to stop my mind from wandering while I am walking.

Communing with nature. Negative ions abound at the beach, mountains, waterfalls, parks and without a doubt, they make me feel so good. I try to get out into nature as often as I can. Megan at Your Intuitive Family also talks about us needing grounding or connecting with Mother Earth.

Social connection. Most times when I walk, I take the dog (I have a long-haired dachshund called Wilbur). I am always being stopped and chatted to – mostly because of the cute dog! It’s so lovely to pass the time of day with people, say hello, smile or wave. It gets me out in my community, connecting with local people.

Fresh air. Being stuck inside all day around electronics can really zap my energy and give me a fuzzy brain. There is nothing like having some fresh air to revive and recharge me. If I come home from work feeling tired, I will head out for a walk. All that oxygen zinging around my body peps me up!

Endorphins. Nature’s prozac! Regular walking has been proven to be effective against anxiety and depression. I know it keeps my mental health on the right track if I walk regularly. Happy mum = happy family.

Small things. Walking gives me time to appreciate and be grateful for the small things. Warm sunshine on my back, a mother duck with her ducklings, beautiful flowers, a refreshing breeze. Stopping to smell the roses is so good for my soul and it makes me happy.

Vitamin D. Getting outside in the sun helps top up my Vitamin D levels. It’s really important for me, because I suffer from a deficiency. Read the blog post I did about that here.

Bonding. Sometimes I walk with a friend or family member. It is such a great way to chat without distractions or interruptions (I never take my phone!) I find ‘walking chats’ particularly useful in opening up the communication with my teenage son.

I love walking! For me, walking is not exercise to dread doing, it’s a chance to take time out and practice some self care.

Talk to me. Do you like to walk? Why do you like to walk? Where do you walk?

Vitamin D – Are you getting enough?

August 3, 2012 · 16 Comments

Vitamin D – Are you getting enough?

Vitamin D deficiency seems to be such a common problem, with 1 in 3 adult Australians having it. I was diagnosed some time ago as having very low levels. I could not believe it!

I live in one of the most sunniest places in Australia, rarely wear sunscreen and regularly eat eggs!

Once I started taking supplements, I felt so much better and it alleviated a range of health problems I was having.

So, how do you know if you have a deficiency? Check out these symptoms and see if you can relate.

* depression, especially in the winter months

* muscle weakness

* bone pain

* fatigue

* inability to lose weight/weight gain

* insomnia

* mood swings

* difficulty concentrating

* low immunity (catching everything that’s going around)

It’s actually quite a serious problem and long-term low levels of Vitamin D are also associated with asthma, cancer, diabetes, hypertension, MS, osteoporosis, stroke, heart problems and more! Don’t get freaked out, but just be aware!

It’s important to get a blood test from your health care practitioner to confirm your levels and then take advice from there. Need a great holistic practitioner? Find one here.

So as well as taking a daily supplement, I also:

* get out in the sun late afternoon, without sunscreen, for about half an hour (I go for a walk most days)

* up my intake of Vitamin D rich foods like fatty fish like mackerel and sardines and egg yolks. Fortified organic milk and other dairy products, and beef liver all help too, but I am not so keen on those!

With one in three of us having this health problem, I wanted to share my story, in case one of you can benefit from getting it checked out.

Talk to me: has anyone experienced problems with Vitamin D?