Bask in the sun safely this summer + skin supports.
When summertime rolls around.
Ahhh, it’s that time of year again.
After a long, dark winter, we’re all climbing out of hibernation, excited for summer.
(me on our first family outing to the lake)Nothing like it, right?
Well, there’s actually a reason our bodies crave the sun during this season of transition.
(and it’s not just the golden tan)
The real reason is that ultraviolet rays are incredibly therapeutic and necessary for balanced hormones, daily rhythms, and a resilient body.
Without the sun, we can’t make enough vitamin (hormone) D, which strengthens immunity, stabilizes mood, and facilitates calcium metabolism— pretty important if you ask me.
What I’m really getting at here is that sunlight is FOUNDATIONAL for our health.
Much like adequate rest and clean water.
It's why I’m a huge advocate for strategic sun exposure and minimal sunscreen use (yes, even natural ones).
Not only do most sunscreens on the market have estrogenic and carcinogenic chemicals in them, but they also disrupt our innate connection with the sun and give us a false sense of security.
We’ve all been there…
you slather on a bunch of spf, thinkin’ you’re good. So you go lay on the beach for hours, only to realize you missed a whole section and are burnt to a crisp.
This kind of damage is easily avoided when we get back to basics and reconnect with the sun.
That being said, here are 7 ways I practice mindful sun exposure:
1. prioritize morning + evening sunshine
This helps to recalibrate your circadian rhythm and balance hormones. Especially good for little ones or those of us not used to being out during peak UV hours of the day.
2. go in and out of shade
Listen to your body. When you start to feel uncomfortable, take a break. Sun exposure is accumulative, but shade breaks will give your skin time to adjust and recover.
3. wear a wide-brim hat instead of sunglasses
Wearing sunglasses can increase melatonin during the day and throw off serotonin. Shading your face with a hat will protect you without blocking indirect daylight from your eyes.
4. wear protective clothing
The OG sunblock. Wearing natural-fiber clothing can protect your skin and keep you cool. Think things like unbleached cotton, bamboo, linen, and even eucalyptus. I love Pact for me and my husband, but you can even find some nice options at Target this time of year!
5. eat for skin resilience
This one isn’t talked about enough, but it’s so critical for preventing sunburn and oxidative stress from within
.
Eat lots of animal fats like tallow, egg yolks, butter, and emu oil.
Up your antioxidant intake (vit C and E) from green tea, watermelon, tomatoes, and other red fruits.
Prioritize magnesium supplementation.
Avoid polyunsaturated fats that are highly oxidative like seed and vegetable oils.
Limit intake of alcohol and iron-fortified foods like highly processed breads, pastas, and cereals.
More saturated fats in the body prevent the inflammatory response and oxidation that we associate with sunburn and builds sun tolerance ✨picture a healthy golden tan✨
And remember, this isn’t a quick fix, so I’d start implementing these changes now to prepare for the summer months– my version of getting that “summer body,” lol.
6. sun protective supplements
If you’re having trouble getting enough antioxidants from food or want to give your body additional sun support, I recommend prioritizing these supplements in your routine ⬇️
Astaxanthin: a powerful antioxidant to prevent cell damage (sunburn and oxidation)
Cod liver oil: rich whole-food source of vitamin A to protect tissues from UV radiation
Vitamin E: prevents free-radical damage and literally “saturates” unsaturated fatty acids in the body
Vitamin C: another protective antioxidant essential for stopping sun damage on the skin
Visit my Fullscript Dispensary for all these safe-sun supplement recommendations and more. (just make a free Fullscript account to place your order)
7. sun protective topicals
Once you’ve done all the internal work and started weaving these common-sense habits into your life, it’s time for mindful skincare. Because no matter how much you prep your skin, sometimes you're just stuck out in the sun. And if your ancestors are from the northern hemisphere like ours— you might want some extra protection in your back pocket.
One of the only sunblocks I trust for my family is from Sky & Sol. It's just 7 food-grade ingredients: tallow, olive oil, beeswax, jojoba esters, shea butter, propolis, and non-nano 25% zinc oxide. It’s smart, clean, and super effective! They also have an uber-nourishing Day & Night Moisturizer that contains pretty much all of the things you want on your sunburned skin like tallow, green tea, and aloe!
As for post-sun healing, I love Briotech Skin Spray because it's quick to apply and relieves the sting almost immediately. Then I follow up with the SOS Olive Leaf Skin Gel (B14). The active healing compounds from olive leaf, polyphenols, and hydroxytyrosol oleuropein make this a golden child for any kind of burn or inflammation— my sunburn staple this season.
And there you have it, all my tips for leaving your sunglasses (and sun-fear) at home this summer. Happy basking!