Summer Must-Haves
Summer is a time of year when we’re spending a lot more time outside, and that means we need outdoor protection from the elements.
If you’re looking for natural alternatives to conventional personal and household products for your family, sunscreen and insect repellent are two examples of healthy swaps you can make this season and I wanted to share a little bit about why they’re worthwhile swaps.
Four reasons to choose natural sunscreen for your kids
The skin is our largest organ and we are often applying several rounds of sunscreen to the large areas of the skin. Mineral sunscreens are considered to be a healthier choice because they do not contain synthetic chemicals that can be absorbed through the skin but rather block the sun with a physical barrier.
Natural sunscreens are often reef-safe and biodegradable, helping to protect marine life and ecosystems. One of the most common sunscreen ingredients is oxybenzone, which harms ocean ecosystems from humans wearing it and swimming in the ocean. It is banned in many countries for this reason. If it’s causing DNA damage and disrupting the hormonal heath of fish and coral, do we want to slather it on our kids?
Synthetic fragrances and preservatives in conventional sunscreens can cause irritation and allergies. Natural sunscreens often contain fewer irritants and are less likely to cause skin reactions… but not always, so make sure to check your labels!
Because of their developing bodies, we need to take extra care not to expose our children to chemicals that are endocrine disruptors. Some chemicals in traditional sunscreens have been linked to hormonal disruptions and potential long-term health risks. You can learn more about endocrine disrupting chemicals and how to avoid them here.
Four Reasons to Choose Natural Insect Repellent for Your Kids
Natural repellents avoid the use of DEET and other synthetic chemicals that can be harmful if absorbed through the skin. Natural insect repellents are generally safer for children, especially when applied frequently or over large areas of the skin.
Chemicals like DEET can be toxic to aquatic life and may persist in the environment. Sound familiar? Natural insect repellents often use biodegradable ingredients that are less harmful to the environment.
Natural repellents are less likely to cause skin irritation, rashes, or allergic reactions. Synthetic repellents can sometimes cause adverse skin reactions or respiratory issues.
People do not always regard these products with the caution that the warning labels ask of us - especially around kids. Potentially toxic chemicals can be dangerous if accidentally ingested or if they get into the eyes. I have to admit I cringed at the frequent aerosol dousings of OFF spray that I saw at some outdoor sports’ games this spring, and how the girls had coughing fits afterward. My motivation to share more things like this…
Ingredients to Avoid in Conventional Sunscreens and Insect Repellents
Oxybenzone is linked to hormone disruption, coral bleaching and environmental damage.
Octinoxate is linked to hormone disruption and environmental damage.
Parabens are preservatives in sunscreen (and many other products) that can cause skin irritation and have been linked to hormone disruption.
DEET: Effective repellent but can cause skin irritation, neurotoxicity, and is toxic to aquatic life.
Picaridin: Less toxic than DEET but can still cause skin and eye irritation.
Permethrin: Insect repellent chemical used in clothing treatments, it is highly toxic to aquatic organisms and cats.
My Take:
There are a lot of clean-ish sunscreens out there…but one of our favorites has been the mineral sunscreen SPF 50 from Young Living. This sunscreen is a clean and powerful preventive measure against sunburn for all skin types made with naturally derived plant- and mineral-based ingredients. It blocks 98% of UV-A & UV-B rays, is water- and sweat-resistant for 80 minutes and is non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic with a non-greasy, non-sticky finish. It also smells amazing thanks to oils like Carrot Seed, Sacred Frankincense, Helichrysum which are nourishing to the skin. What makes it extra safe for little humans is that it uses a non-nano zinc oxide – it does NOT penetrate the cells like “nano” ingredients; and it’s totally free from: avobenzone, oxybenzone, pParabens, phthalates, petrochemicals, PABA, dioxane, UV chemical absorbers, artificial colors or synthetic fragrances. For touch-ups I love Brush On Block, which is a mineral powder great for busy kids and moms who don’t always want the zinc all over their face.
So honestly with the bugs… is one area where I felt like we just had to suck it up and use the toxic stuff. Is there anything natural that actually works? Well how about something infused with the same essential oils that plants use to repel bugs in nature?
Another great formulation from Young Living – made with the same quality standards for truly clean products and tested to repel mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas using only 100 percent naturally derived, plant-based ingredients. Simply put, this stuff is AMAZING. And this is coming from someone who needs serious bug protection.
It is a blend of pure sesame oil and a carefully-selected blend of essential oils traditionally used for their bug-repellent properties, and Vitamin E. That’s it! That means you can use it on your little ones and not worry about the synthetic chemicals used in many traditional repellents.
Oils included: citronella, lemongrass, clove, rosemary, spearmint, geranium. We will also use Purification, Citronella, Peppermint, Tea Tree and Kunzea (ticks) to keep the bugs away too. You can mix your own concoctions and even diffuse on your deck or patio!
Insect Repellent Wipes are also available for on-the-go use. NOTE: some shipping is restricted by state – if you want to grab these and are not able to order to your state, send me at email christina@evergreenandwell.com and I can help.
Click below to grab my Summer Essentials!
I also love these luxury Turkish Towels for beach and pool days!