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Ayurveda on Sunshine and Sunscreen
By Dr. Helen Thomas, D.C. | June 11, 2008
I’ve never used sunscreen. Not once in my entire life! From when I was a kid, long before studying Ayurveda, I intuitively knew it was bad for me.
In fact, most kids don’t like sunscreen. It smells bad, it feels icky. It’s not something they want to cover their bodies with.
But their parents tell them they can’t go out and play, without the sunscreen.
North Americans Are So Afraid of the Sun
In fact, one of my patients was telling me how he was at a family gathering. One of the mothers attending noticed he didn’t put sunscreen on their 16-month old child. Instead, he kept him covered most of the time, but let him have a good thirty or so minutes a day of direct sunshine. Well, this other mother started accusing him of putting his son at risk of skin cancer. "It’ll be your responsibility!" she started ranting.
Yes, someone dies from skin cancer every hour in North America. But there are a lot of factors involved (which I’ll cover in another issue) and the sun is only ONE of them. In fact, sunshine produces vitamin D, which has been shown to produce amazing affects in preventing and reversing cancer.
Now, I’m not saying it’s good to get burnt by the sun. That’s obviously destructive. But stop and take a look at the ingredients on most tubes of sunscreen. They are filled with unpronounceable chemicals. And because sunscreen is usually formulated with (processed) oil, all those chemicals are going to seep directly through your skin into your bloodstream.
Do You Want Sunscreen Lotion Circulating
Through Your Vital Organs?
I bet if you look on any bottle of sunscreen, it says, "avoid contact with mouth or eyes." Probably followed by warnings about swallowing.
But, as those who’ve been to my Ayurvedic Skin Care site know, your skin eats . Sunscreen gets absorbed directly into the bloodstream, where it is distributed throughout your body.
On the other hand, if you were to eat your sunscreen, it would have to make it through the "gatekeeper" (your stomach and small intestine). Your gut is setup to filter out poisons. Sure, it may induce vomiting, but at least that gets it out of your system.
That’s why it would probably be healthier to have kids eat their sunscreen rather than to wear it. Not that I’m recommending you do either.
Yet, as a recent CBC Newsworld article was preaching, "…one of the biggest mistakes people make about sunscreen is they don’t use enough of it."
Yes, I agree you need protection from the sun, but…
Your Typical Sunscreen Product is Not the Solution
First thing you should realize is that exposing yourself to large doses of the sun’s rays all at once is not healthy. You’re much better off having short daily sunbaths (or moon baths!) like I explain in the Effortless Ayurvedic Beauty Guide .
This is especially true if you have white skin. Darker skinned people, on the other hand, not only can take more sunshine, they need it (because they are more resistant to vitamin D). In the end, you should listen to your body… if you feel like you’ve had enough sun, get in the shade, wear a hat, cover up… don’t start slathering on more goop.
That said, sometimes we want to tan. Or our kids are running around uncontrollably outside, having fun. Even though you put a hat and shirt on them when they head out the door, they’ll come back with just their boxer shorts.
So next issue, I’ll tell you about a very, very inexpensive oil you can apply to your skin that has been used safely in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. It also doubles as a mosquito repellent! Not only is it harmless, but it also nourishes your skin, increasing it’s alkaline content, all the while preventing a host of other skin problems. If your skin overheats in the summer (attention all pittas!) then this all-natural oil will help with that, too.
So stay tuned!
P.S. Can anybody guess which oil I’m talking about? Also, does anybody know why sunscreen companies just don’t promote this oil instead of their toxic formulas? Please leave your comments below.
P.P.S. For other great skin care tips from the science of Ayurveda, sign up for the FREE course at EffortlessAyurvedicBeauty.com .
Topics: Ayurveda and Children, Ayurveda and Digestive Health, Ayurveda and Modern Times, Ayurveda and Purification, India & Ayurveda |
14 Responses to “Ayurveda on Sunshine and Sunscreen”
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June 11th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Interesting - being very light skinned, most of my life I used “healthy” amounts of sunscreen to avoid burning. As I’ve become more in tune with my intuition, I’ve stopped wearing it and instead opt for covering up, shade, and spending less time in direct sunlight (or at least less time during the peak hours).
My guess is olive oil… but that’s my guess for everything! I guess I’ll just have to wait to find out.
June 11th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
This was very useful information. I look forward to learning a better way to protect my skin when I’m out in my gardens for extended periods of time. Tnanks, Dr. Helen, for sharing all this good stuff!
June 11th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
I agree. I haven’t used sunscreen since I left my mother’s house. (Many years ago). My thought is that it is a good idea to clean the body (in-side) so that when the sun shines on the body, it can shine through the tissue to the bone and it helps make the bones stronger. If there is a layer of grease and chemicals, it cannot shine through. To me the sunscreen acts as something to fry in. It seems skin cancer came about about the time sunscreen did. I know we have to use common sense and not get burned, but our skin loves it as do our eyes (not directly into the eyes) but that allows vitamin D to be make as well. I just might be full of it, but I am glad to be able to say this without hearing laughter.
June 11th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
I understand all this - but, what can you do or recommend for a week at the beach??
June 11th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
I’ve found that when I’ve used “generous” amounts of sunscreen (no matter how light in texture)if I’ve been out hiking in the summer, I’m more likely to end up with mild cases of heat-stroke. I think it’s because it blocks the pores and stops one from sweating properly so it’s difficult for the body to cool down.
I’d sure like to know which oil also doubles as a mosquito repellent. Is it also effective against mosquitoes that carry dengue fever or malaria, as I’m not really keen on smearing DEET on my skin for the entire time I’m away on holiday this summer.
June 11th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
I operate under the belief that one shouldn’t put anything on their body that they couldn’t put IN their body! My guess would be Coconut Oil. It is the only moisturizer I’ve used for years. I’m really fairly light completcted but usually look like I have a nice healthy tan because it works so well.
June 11th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Thanks Helen,
My guess is neem oil, but is that ingestible? Not only do I like to stay out of the sun, I always like to get into cool, clean water ASAP if I get a little too much sun. First Aid for first degree burns! It seems to help keep the sunburn risk under control.
June 11th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
My guess is neem oil too.
June 11th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Thank you for such good info, Helen. Being in my 70’s and very fair, I had many painful sunburns before sunscreen was invented. Also health-minded enough to know that all the chemicals could not possibly be good for me.
My daughter, who is albino, has been searching for a healthy alternative to sunscreen for years. Our guess is that it is aloe vera.
June 12th, 2008 at 12:21 am
The oil must be sesame and it is not expensive to buy. Also a chemical company cannot make it for next to nothing and sell it for a bundle.
June 12th, 2008 at 8:00 am
Hi Dr. Helen,
I really appreciate this invaluable information. I cannot imagine which oil it is but you have definitely piqued my interest. Thank you for your expertise.
June 12th, 2008 at 8:29 am
Hi Helen,
I am back from India and I had lots of sunbaths during this winter,like everybody else does in India.I am glad that you provide such a valuable information about the Sunscreens. I agree with you that putting so much chemical on your face is not good. It goes to our blood streams and does more harm than sun does. My guess about the oil is that it should be sesame oil.but I am not sure.I am excited to know about it.
June 12th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Hello Helen,
This is so awesome, because I don’t like to use the sun screen…it’s sticky, and sometimes leaves a white film on your skin.
My guess would be the sesame oil also.
June 15th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Maybe Manoi Oil? It smells nice too but also expensive