Sunscreen, anyone?

[unchatquitue]

What, if any, sunscreen do you guys use? It would be nice if we could get some ideas on healthy sunscreen!

[Shels]

Brazil nuts. ;) I protect my skin from the inside out, and am very against topical sunscreen with spfs.

[blizzardfrisbee]

Hmmm that is very interesting Shels. I agree--don't use sunscreen but also have olive type skin and don't burn. Never heard of brazil nuts to protect the skin though.

[unchatquitue]

Brazil nuts. ;) I protect my skin from the inside out, and am very against topical sunscreen with spfs.
Do you spend a lot of time outdoors? You think Brazil nuts are enough to prevent sunburn if you spend some time outdoors?

[margoss]

we do use a sunscreen for long term outside, hrs mowing the yard, etc. However, I'm amazed at how little we tanned this yr. We cover ourelves in coconut oil daily for a moisturizer and eat a few Brazil nuts daily. I learned that co has a natural sunscreen of 15! Very subtle change this yr.

[Shels]

The reason I mention brazil nuts is that they're the most selenium rich food I consume. :p I try to spend as little time in direct sunlight as possible, especially between 9am and 6pm. I'm not sure what I would do if I had to spend lots of time in the sun, but I am very convinced of the harmful effects of sunscreen. It hasn't been necessary for me to find a "replacement" yet though. (I am Irish, and a little French, so in the past I always burned very easily).

[RawKnitster]

I've given up trying to get a "healthy" tan. The sun is very damaging to my fair skin. If I'm going to be exposed in prime time, I wear a sun screen.

Look for an organic sunscreen with at least 9% zinc oxide and 6% titanium dioxide in a base of aloe vera, vegan oils and butters. The particles of zinc oxide are key. If too fine, it won't work. The particles have to be large enough to stay on top of the skin, not be absorbed into the skin. To avoid the white smear effect from the zinc, apply it after a shower and a light towel dry, while the skin is still moist.

[Tenuviel]

I don't typically use a sunscreen unless I am doing an all day bike ride, trip to the beach etc. I used to get a dark olive tan as a kid... since raw I don't get any tan or burn! I get a little pink from the direct heat, but it goes away after I get out of the sun... and I spend around 6 hours a day outside :). For beach trips, I have a pure zinc oxide powder and I just mix it into coconut oil and smear it on... it will make you look like a ghost though lol!