Families in need of tick and mosquito control face two concerns to their family’s health: vector-borne diseases and commonly used pesticides. It made us wonder whether there are other scenarios when a common solution can be as dangerous if not more dangerous than what we are looking to protect from.
We came across an interesting article titled “Is Your Sunscreen Causing Cancer?” It concludes that some commonly used sunscreens contain synthetic ingredients that may actually increase the risk cancer and disrupt the functioning of our hormones. While many of us realize the importance of consuming organic food, we should also prioritize finding natural and safe products that we use on our skin too!
For long days spent enjoying the beaches on Cape Cod or hiking the New England terrain this summer, we collected these resources to protect from both sun exposure and harmful ingredients:
Create Your Own Natural Sunscreen!
Wellness Mama shared a great recipe for a homemade sunscreen to try. The ingredients have natural SPF and is best used within 6 months. Click here to get the recipe!
Try These All-Natural Sunscreens
We found these all-natural sunscreens at our local Whole Foods that you can try:
Badger is a small, family-owned & family-friendly company nestled on the banks of the Ashuelot River in rural Gilsum, New Hampshire. They blend organic plant extracts, exotic oils and butters and beeswax, and make healing balms, lip balms, safe mineral sunscreens and other personal care products that work and feel remarkably good.
Alba Botanica makes natural, 100% vegetarian personal care products. These products are great for sensitive skin and do not contain parabens, sulfates, or phthalates.
Kiss My Face has been around for over 30 years, creating naturally effective products, made with the finest ingredients that Mother Nature has to offer.
Be Informed.
Over the past three decades, more people have had skin cancer than all other cancers combined. Here are some facts to help you protect yourself and your loved ones while enjoying the sunshine this summer:
- About 90 percent of nonmelanoma skin cancers are associated with exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.
- Sustaining 5 or more sunburns in youth increases lifetime melanoma risk by 80 percent.
- In adults 65 or older, melanoma treatment costs total about $249 million annually. About 40 percent of the annual cost for melanoma goes to treating stage IV (advanced) cancers, though they account for only three percent of melanomas.
- Between the period 2002-2006 and the period 2007-2011, the average annual cost for skin cancer treatment increased by more than 126 percent, compared to 25.1 percent for all other cancers.
For more information, visit skincancer.org