Safest Sunscreen

4 Safest Sunscreen Ingredients

Sunshine boosts our moods. Going out in the sun and getting "sun-kissed" adds to our enthusiasm. But such "sunny" moments may soon turn "shadowy" with the development of suntans - the award of roaming out freely in the sun. The appearance of "skin shadows" in the form of tans may spoil your idea of free sun exposure. And this is where businesses may find a scope to cater to this specific need. And this is how, they will compete with each other to offer you the best sunscreens with the best promises and at the best prices.

But again, some protectors are predators themselves. Sunscreens are meant to protect you from the harmful UVA and UVB rays of the sun, which are linked to skin cancer, but sunscreens may contain certain chemicals which are carcinogenic themselves. And as a matter of fact, some sunscreens are just a little more than skin deep. They can penetrate through your skin and make their way into your system. But will this make us discontinue the use of sunscreens? No. We can still find some sunscreens which are composed of safe ingredients only. All it takes is just some bit of patience in reading the labels.

4 Safest Ingredients in Sunscreens

1. Cocoa: The Environmental Working Group, EWG, which reviews the cosmetics ingredients to evaluate their safety standards, has given a clean chit to cocoa. Cocoa can be safely used in making sunscreens because of its powerful antioxidant value, which boosts immune health while fighting diseases and aging.
2. Olive Oil: Olive oil does not only form a safe sunscreen ingredient, but it is also known for its contributions towards skin health. This can be attributed to the presence of vitamin E, which works by promoting blood circulation in the skin. Olive oil also contains active phytonutrient compounds like flavonoids and polypehnols, which are noted for their anti-inflammatory actions. Moreover, olive oil has excellent skin moisturizing properties due to the presence of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in it.
3. Zinc Oxide (Free of Nano Particles): Sunscreen manufacturers have been using this ingredient since a long period of time. It prevents the skin from absorbing the sun's harmful rays. Unfortunately, in certain brands of sunscreens, zinc oxide remains contaminated with nano particles. These particles do not break through the skin, but they may prove to be toxic if taken in. So you may need to look for brands which contain nano-free zinc oxide.
4. Organic Shea Butter: Shea butter is obtained from the fat content in the fruits of the karite tree, which grows in abundance in the Shea region of West Africa. The creamy substance is considered as a 100 percent natural ingredient and the EWG has also provided a perfect rating to it.

Recent researches indicate that some sunscreens do not work at all. And some researches come out with explosive findings by claiming that sunscreens contain carcinogenic compounds. So what should consumers do? Well, knowledge throws light even in the remotest nook and corners and you may need to sit for some time with your own "Wikis".

Make note: An estimated 70 percent of the U.S. population is deficient in vitamin D. Recent study of this essential micronutrient has demonstrated its central role in maintaining health. Insufficient levels of vitamin D have been linked to:

• Suppressed immunity - our innate systems of defense may not function efficiently without adequate vitamin D, allowing increased susceptibility to infectious agents.
• Increased risk of chronic disease - low levels of vitamin D have been associated with a higher than normal risk of heart disease and several kinds of cancer.
• Heightened inflammation - vitamin D is a key cofactor in regulating inflammation throughout the body.

I recommend prudent daily sun exposure to support the natural production of vitamin D in our skin, as well as speaking to your doctor about checking vitamin D levels and supplementing if necessary.