Here comes the sun!

It is a beautiful day outside! Hopefully, the same goes for your neck of the woods....I took advantage of the sunshine and local trails and hopped on my bike for an afternoon ride. Any of you who appreciate a sunny day know the importance of protecting your skin from those harmful UV rays. The tricky part is finding something natural that won't introduce toxins into your skin, but will still meet your protection needs!


Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the US. It has become an increasing problem with the trend of indoor tanning salons. Protecting yourself is the best way to reduce your risk! Some shocking stats from the Skin Cancer Foundation will hopefully encourage you to lather up next time you are going to be catching some rays:

*One or more blistering sunburns in childhood or adolescence more than double a person’s chances of developing melanoma later in life.

*A person’s risk for melanoma doubles if he or she has had more than five sunburns at any age.

*Frequent tanners using new high-pressure sunlamps may receive as much as 12 times the annual UVA dose compared to the dose they receive from sun exposure.

*Indoor ultraviolet (UV) tanners are 74 percent more likely to develop melanoma than those who have never tanned indoors

So how can you protect yourself from the giant cancerous fireball in the sky??? Well, lucky for you, there are some great eco-friendly skin shields ready for such a task! The Environmental Working Group has compiled a great list of the best of the best lotions. But here are a few of my personal favorites:

First, there is Reef Safe Biodegradable Sun Care, a great line of products that is non-toxic to ocean creatures as well as yourself!


What's ferocious and can take on the sun's fury??? That'd be a Badger. Yes....the Badger Company has some of the top rated UV mineral-based protectants out there. A huge bonus - they are ALSO biodegradable and thus, don't harm our fishy friends. Badger also rocked it out on The EWG's list! But, I'm not surprised.....it is a badger, after all.

Or if you are feeling really adventurous you can always make your own, with the help of Sophie Uliano of Gorgeously Green. Check out her super easy instructions, with video here.

So, if you are like me, I still like to get some color during the summer months. Michigan has made me quite ghostly in the off-season and I have come to rely on self tanners to keep some hint of color and not be mistaken for an out-of-work extra from Twilight.

A couple of nice options that are au naturale are from the folks over at Lavera. They have a slew of endorsements, one of which is from our friend, Sophie (sunscreen recipe)! They have gels and lotions, one even formulated for the delicate skin on your face.

Another alternative is Nature's Gate Sunless Tanner. This product also boasts no parabens, phthalates, or animal-derived ingredients.

And not to be outdone by the sunscreen lovers, Debra Lynn Dadd, proclaimed the “Queen of Green” by the New York Times has come up with a great DIY sunless tanner. Seems easy enough! Give it a shot:

3/4 cup water
3 tea bags
1/4 cup lanolin
1/4 cup sesame seed oil

Boil the water and brew a strong tea. Pour 1/4 cup tea into a blender with the other ingredients and blend at a low speed. Slowly add the rest of the tea while blending. Test out your results on a small, not usually visible spot on your body. Use sparingly.

I hope I have offered you some new info on the great items out there that can make UV protection a little easier. In addition to all of the products mentioned here, EWG offers a database that will help you rate the hazard level of commonly used products and brands found in your home. They have ranked over 65,000 products, so chances are - the products you use are included. So, go ahead, take a look.....what you find may surprise you! It may also help you decide on a better alternative to keep yourself healthy and happy!

Happy trails and SPF,
GB