Suns Out, Skins Out: How To Care For Your Skin This Summer With doTERRA

Photo Credit: @the_oil_nanny

Understanding the Sun's Effects on the Skin

We’ve heard that the sun’s harsh rays are bad for your skin, but what does “bad” mean? When it comes to skin health, the damage that the sun can have runs the gambit from more wrinkles and sunspots to life-threatening cancers.

Each year more than 2 million people are treated for the two main types of skin cancer (basal and squamous cell carcinoma). Melanoma is less common but more life-threatening, affecting more than 68,000 Americans a year. UVA rays from the sun are linked to long-term skin damage (like wrinkles, tough skin, skin spots, etc.) and play an indirect role in causing cancer. UVB rays can damage the DNA in skin cells directly and cause sunburns. Because they are more directly affecting the DNA in your cells, UVB rays are thought to cause most skin cancers.

Even armed with all that information, we can’t expect to never go in the sun or stay a little too long. That’s where sun protection and after-sun products come into play.

Chemical sunscreen and mineral sunscreen aim to do the same thing—protect your skin from UV ray damage. Chemical sunscreens work by using chemicals (like avobenzone, oxybenzone, octocrylene, and ecamsule) to absorb the UV light into the skin. This creates a reaction in which UV light is changed to heat, where it will then dissipate from the skin. This process can lead to more absorption of chemicals into the bloodstream.

Mineral sunscreen uses zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to sit on top of the skin’s surface and bounce UV rays off the skin, never allowing those rays to penetrate the skin. doTERRA sun Body Mineral Sunscreen Spray and doTERRA sun Face + Body Mineral Sunscreen Lotion use non-nano zinc oxide to deliver lightweight SPF 30 protection to your skin.

Not only do they provide mineral sunscreen protection, but they also include skin nourishing ingredients like vitamin E, aloe vera, turmeric extract, jojoba esters, raspberry seed oil, and avocado oil. These products protect your skin and nourish it at the same time.

Photo Credit: @theoilbug

Photo Credit: @joyls_essential_oils

Applying Sunscreen Properly

The beauty of mineral sunscreen is how quickly you can be sun ready. Just apply 15 minutes before you head into the sun. You can apply it over or under makeup. Just make sure to get every area of your skin that might see the sun. Chemical sunscreens require 30+ minutes to allow the chemicals to seep into your skin to prevent UV damage. Because mineral sunscreen sits on top of your skin, it allows you to enjoy the sun sooner with fewer chemicals.

Remember to reapply your sunscreen every 80 minutes. Reapply more often if you are swimming or sweating. If that sounds tedious (and we get it), use an easy-to-grab and apply sunscreen like doTERRA sun Face + Body Mineral Sunscreen Stick. Easy application, perfect for poolside reapplication, or for wiggly kids.

Protecting Sensitive Skin

If you have sensitive skin or skin-related problems, chemical sunscreens can be damaging to your skin’s microbiome. Not only does chemical sunscreen add toxic chemicals to your routine , but it can irritate your existing skin conditions.

Choosing a mineral sunscreen that doesn’t have fragrances or harsh chemicals, is jam-packed with ingredients that soothe and nourish your skin, can make your time in the sun more enjoyable. The skin on your face is extra sensitive, from acne to eczema to rosacea. doTERRA sun Face Mineral Sunscreen Daily Moisturizer offers SPF 28 and includes vitamin E, grapeseed oil, and other nourishing ingredients like evodia and CPTG Certified Pure Tested Grade^® essential oils. This moisturizer is dermatologist tested and noncomedogenic, meaning it won’t make you break out or irritate your skin. It can be worn with or without makeup, won’t give a white cast, and smells amazing.

Photo Credit: @brianne.lynk

Photo Credit: @wholisticyouwellness

Treating Yourself At the End of a Sunny Day

Of course, even with plenty of prevention, your skin might still need some extra care after a long day in the sun.

First, make sure you are drinking extra water to prevent dehydration. Take a cold (but not too cold!) shower or bath to help cool your skin. Then use a natural, skin-soothing product to help your skin feel better, like the doTERRA sun After Sun Restorative Body Spray. This spray has everything your skin needs to feel better quickly, without any extra chemicals or harsh ingredients. Vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, green tea, and aloe vera work together in this spray to help soothe and nourish skin.

Enjoy The Sun Without The Chemicals

Everyone knows that caring for your skin, especially in the sun, not only prevents fine lines and wrinkles but can also prevent illness. But some suncare products are so full of extra, harsh, and potentially harmful ingredients that the product itself could be causing more harm than good. That’s why choosing natural suncare products with soothing and nourishing ingredients can help you keep your skin healthy without the risks of other suncare products.

The doTERRA sun suncare product line is meant to take care of your skin, head to toe, naturally. Order the doTERRA sun suncare line today so you are ready for sunny days ahead!

Photo Credit: @theholisticspark