Ditch and Switch Mineral Sunscreen

Lyn Russell, RYT-500, RCYT, B.Ed., Dip.T., ACOA Dip. (M.Nat.Th) • February 10, 2022

Check out this months Ditch and Switch!

CHEMICAL SUNSCREEN

Chemical sunscreens are designed to be absorbed by the top layers of skin as they work in two different ways to help neutralise harmful UV radiation. On one level, it deflects and scatters the sun’s harmful rays before they damage the skin, while on the other they filter the UVA/UVB and convert them into heat, neutralising them.

Unfortunately, chemical sunscreens may cause skin reactions in certain people and can worsen melasma and rosacea. They also contain one or more of the following active ingredients, oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate, or octinoxate, each of which carries its own potential for harm.

Ingredients of Concern

Oxybenzone: one of the most commonly-used sunscreen chemicals, oxybenzone (sometimes called benzophenone-3) is linked to endocrine disruption, organ system toxicity, contact allergies, and photoallergies, meaning exposure to light is required to generate an allergic response. In fact, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) recommends avoiding oxybenzone because of concerns that this ingredient may disrupt hormones and cause allergic skin reactions. Oxybenzone is also harmful to aquatic life; in 2018, Hawaii banned it to protect coral reefs.
Octinoxate: A commonly used UV filter that protects from UVB rays, but not UVA rays. It may be listed as OMC, methoxy-cinnamate or ethylhexyl methoxy-cinnamate and is linked to endocrine disruption as well as reproductive toxicity. Researchers have detected octinoxate in breast milk, urine, and blood. Like oxybenzone, this ingredient was targeted in Hawaii’s ban, as it harms coral reefs.
Homosalate: A common ingredient that absorbs only UVB rays to prevent direct skin exposure. Homosalate is linked to hormone disruption and may also enhance the absorption and penetration of pesticides, including bug sprays, as well as other harmful ingredients found within sunscreen.

Further, a small randomized clinical trial published in May 2019 in the Journal of the American Medical Association reveals that four of these sunscreen chemicals (avobenzone, oxybenzone, octocrylene, and ecamsule) are absorbed into the bloodstream at significantly greater levels than 0.5 nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml). That’s far above the amount at which the FDA requires topical medications to undergo safety studies to determine possible toxic effects.

MINERAL SUNSCREEN

This type of protection relies on two different types of minerals — zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. They work by physically deflecting UVA and UVB rays from getting to the surface of the skin. Because of this, their formulas are naturally a little thicker than chemical versions as they are meant to sit on the skin’s surface, rather than absorbing beneath it. Unlike chemical sunscreens, which typically take 20 to 30 minutes to absorb into the skin, mineral sunscreens offer immediate protection — no waiting needed. Mineral sunscreens can also be applied on top of makeup and other skin-care products.

WHY WE LOVE YL MINERAL SUNSCREEN

Contains naturally derived plant- and mineral-based ingredients, including non-nano zinc oxide, so it is not absorbed into the bloodstream
Available in broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection.
Filled with skin-loving essential oils like Helichrysum, Carrot Seed, and Frankincense that put a protective barrier on your skin and help retain the skin's natural moisture while out in the sun.
Has a non-greasy, lightweight formula that goes on smoothly (aka no white residue!)
Stays water- and sweat-resistant for 80 minutes!
Carries an official global certification from the National Skin Cancer Foundation and is recommended for daily use to help prevent skin cancer.
It is safe for ALL skin types + won’t clog pores.
It is reef safe!! An estimated 14,000 tons of sunscreen go into the ocean each year and most (all the chemical based ones) kill coral reefs. It is such a problem that Hawaii passed a bill banning ingredients that harm coral reefs!

WHAT ABOUT SPF

SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is a measurement of sunburn protection. So if your skin would normally burn after 10 minutes in the sun, wearing an SPF 10 sunscreen would theoretically allow you to stay in the sun for 100 minutes (10 x 10) without burning. A higher SPF doesn’t always equate to that much more protection. Also, note that SPF is a measure of protection against UVB rays only, and we need protection against UVA rays which is why we want “broad spectrum” sunscreen.

SPF 15 blocks 93% of UVB rays.
SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays.
SPF 50 blocks 98% of UVB rays.
SPF 100 blocks 99% of UVB rays.

DAILY SUNSCREEN USE & SAVVY MINERALS

When it comes to the delicate skin on our face, we want to be sure we're protected, especially in the summer sun! Young Living's sunscreen works great as a base underneath your Savvy Minerals by Young Living makeup to offer the SPF boost you want.

Wash and prime your face, then apply the SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen all over your face and rub in gently but completely. You may find it helpful to lightly set the sunscreen with a dusting of Matte Veil or Diamond Dust before applying the rest of your makeup.
Apply the rest of your Savvy Minerals as usual! Or, skip the full face look and tint your sunscreen with your Savvy foundation. Quick and easy for summer days!

Join us as we overhaul our beach bags and choose a healthier sunscreen for ourselves and our families!

If you found this useful and would like to purchase your essential oils please contact me

If you would like more information on beginning your toxic-free wellness journey click here

For more information on the benefits of specific essential oils, please do a search on PubMed

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What is Yin Yoga?

By Lyn Russell, RYT-500, RCYT, B.Ed., Dip.T., ACOA Dip. (M.Nat.Th) • July 30, 2023

Yin Yoga is a slow-paced, gentle style of yoga that focuses on holding passive poses for an extended period, typically ranging from 3 to 5 minutes or even longer. The practice primarily targets the connective tissues, such as ligaments, tendons, and fascia, rather than the muscles. Find out more about yin yoga below.

Cooked or Uncooked? Red or Green? What Ayurveda Tells Us About Apples.

By Lyn Russell, RYT-500, RCYT, B.Ed., Dip.T., ACOA Dip. (M.Nat.Th) • June 27, 2023

According to Ayurveda, the Ancient Indian system of medicine, both green and red apples are considered beneficial in Ayurveda, but they have slightly different qualities. Find out more as you read on.

The Power of Turmeric

By Lyn Russell, RYT-500, RCYT, B.Ed., Dip.T., ACOA Dip. (M.Nat.Th) • November 11, 2022

Turmeric is widely used in Indian cuisine, but did you know it has many health benefits according to Ayurveda?

What To Expect From A Yoga Therapy Session

By Lyn Russell, RYT-500, RCYT, B.Ed., Dip.T., ACOA Dip. (M.Nat.Th) • October 27, 2022

Do you want to know more about what a yoga therapy session is? Would you like to be involved in free yoga Therapy sessions as part of my Yoga Therapist training? Read more...

Yoga for Older Students

By Lyn Russell, RYT-500, RCYT, B.Ed., Dip.T., ACOA Dip. (M.Nat.Th) • October 14, 2022

Why is yoga and yoga therapy for older students so beneficial and why do they require special attention? When discussing the needs of older students, we are referring to those aged over 50. You may be surprised that we class 50 and over older, however these students present with a more unique history than our younger students. Therefore it is important to provide yoga sessions or yoga therapy that is suited to their special needs. Along with the usual intake steps that apply to all students, when looking at older students we need to pay particular attention to things such as: injury history and medical conditions lifestyle factors medications aims and expectations Injury history and medical conditions Injury history and medical conditions are important details that your yoga teacher should know regardless of your age. You may not know what is relevant to your yoga practice, so it is important to inform your yoga teacher or yoga therapist of your medical history, medical conditions and injury history. This allows us to provide practices that can support certain body or organ systems Lifestyle factors Lifestyle factors are extremely important to consider when planning a yoga practice for older students. Things to pay attention to include sleep quality, energy level and nutrition Medication Medication can have a huge impact on the type of yoga practice older students should be doing. Certain medications can change your balance, coordination and pain perception. Informing your yoga teacher or yoga therapist can allow them to provide a safe practice for your individual circumstances. Key Areas For Focus in Yoga We aim to maintain a healthy range of motion: Moving the body in different directions - forwards, backwards, side bending and rotation all encourage tissue elasticity, lubrication and circulation. Improve posture: As we age we tend towards flexion, which can create flow-on effects on bone loading, breathing, digestion, energy, and mood. Building the back body and posterior shoulder strength, as well as allowing time in 'neutral' positions of the spine is important. Postures such as chest openers and shoulder stretches as well as deep breathing is very beneficial. Working and strengthening under-utilised areas such as the back and posterior shoulders, the glutes, core and upper body Improving stability and preventing falls with poses that coordinate opposite sides of the body, standing and kneeling poses, foot awareness work and moving from pose to pose are key areas to work on as we age. Down-regulating the nervous system by emphasising the parasympathetic nervous system through mindful movement, Yoga Nidra, body scans, yin and restorative poses, Savasana, breath work and meditation. Cultivating acceptance of the stage of life we find ourselves in is extremely important. This may involve a gradual withdrawal from family and worldly life, to prepare for life as we age. Concepts from yoga philosophy can be helpful here - svadhyaya (self-study), vairagya (non-attachment) and santosha (contentment) There are many tools of yoga that can support the body, mind and emotions as we age. Why not give yoga or yoga therapy a try and see what it can do for you.