With rates of skin cancer rising parents are lathering their children with sunscreen. Does this help or does it add to the problem? It all depends upon the ingredients.
This spring there are many articles coming to light (finally) about the dangers of toxins in our everyday skincare products.
I woke up this morning and checked my e-mail to find Mercola’s article regarding the dangers of petroleum. It was a fresh reminder to me that this information must be passed on as part of raising a healthy family.
Mineral Oil is petroleum. Yes, made from the same stuff as gasoline (a known carcinogen). Mineral oil also coats your skin, not allowing it to breath naturally.
Petroleum (aka mineral oil, baby oil, liquid paraffin, white oil, mineral seal oil, petrolatum) can be found in a great number of skin care products from lotions to sunscreen, even baby lotions! Sunscreens not only often contain petroleum but also retinyl palmitate (a form of vitamin A) and other suspected toxins.
As consumers we must get rid of the notion that if something is on the shelf it must be safe. There are known carcinogens and possible known carcinogens sitting on shelves everywhere. If you don’t think this could possibly be true as yourself this question. Does smoking cause cancer? Are cigarettes sold in stores?
OK now that you have been rattled, use this knowledge to more forward. There are healthy options out there. If this is all new to you, the Environmental Working Group’s safe cosmetic database is one of the best resources out there to learn about toxins in products and find answers. There is a list of 134 safe sunscreens, proof there are options.
When my husband and I were living in Sydney, Australia our eyes were opened to health and the environment. Walk into a grocery store in Sydney and there are “warning” labels on food, “This contains artificial ingredients,” or “This contains artificial colors and dyes.” Recycled toilet paper is the norm on the shelves, people are very aware of the dangers of GMO’s and natural health products abound.
Thankfully it was easy then when I was expecting to find a company that had certified organic lotion to place on my belly. Not only was the lotion outstanding (I have no stretch-marks and I had twins!), but the education that the company provided opened our eyes to what is lurking out there in personal care products. We were so impressed we partnered with them. When I do put sunscreen on my kids, you can bet this is it.
Do organic products cost more, yes! Here’s how I see it. I would rather spend $20-50 more a month now to be in good health than $1,000’s later in health bills.
You do have a choice when it comes to your health. Thankfully, it is becoming easier every day to find options as more and more companies are creating healthy products~
To your health!
Summer
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