Sun Safety Tips

 

SUN SAFETY

Kids don't have to be at the pool, beach, or on vacation to get too much sun. Whenever outdoors, protect the entire family, including yourself, from ultraviolet (UV) rays. Here are some important sun safety tips:

Seek shade.

UV rays are strongest and most harmful during midday, so it's best to plan indoor activities then. If this is not possible, seek shade under a tree, an umbrella, or a pop-up tent. Use these options to prevent sunburn, not to seek relief after it's happened.

Cover up.

When possible, long-sleeved shirts and long pants and skirts can provide protection from UV rays. Clothes made from tightly woven fabric offer the best protection. A wet T-shirt offers much less UV protection than a dry one, and darker colors may offer more protection than lighter colors. Some clothing certified under international standards comes with information on its ultraviolet protection factor.

Get a hat.

Hats that shade the face, scalp, ears, and neck are easy to use and give great protection. Baseball caps are popular among kids, but they don't protect their ears and neck. If your child chooses a cap, be sure to protect exposed areas with sunscreen.

Wear sunglasses.

They protect your child's eyes from UV rays, which can lead to cataracts later in life. Look for sunglasses that wrap around and block as close to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays as possible.

What are you putting on your skin?

Have you ever stopped to consider what you’re putting on your skin?  Or on your children’s skin?  Or what you’re gifting to your loved ones? 60 – 80% of the ingredients in skincare products are absorbed into your blood through your skin. Children’s bodies absorb 40-50% more than adults! Now is the time to stop & think about it.  Would you be surprised to learn that some well-known brands of skin care are highly toxic?

99% of the 15,000+ skin care and cosmetic products on the market have never been evaluated for safety by the FDA (US Food & Drug Administration), CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) or any other publicly accountable institution.

74% of all personal care products on the market according to chemical industry databases contain:

Carcinogens (cancer causing chemicals),
Teratogens (causing birth defects),
Reproductive toxins (male & female infertility),
Developmental toxins (hazardous to unborn children)
Skin/sense organ toxicants (causing skin disease and rashes)
Allergenic toxicants (causing allergies)
Mutagens (causing cells to mutate)

57% of all skin care products contain “penetration enhancer” chemicals like Propylene Glycol and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate that drive down deep through five layers of skin and enter your bloodstream.

The Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database provides you with easy-to-navigate safety ratings for a wide range of products and ingredients on the market.  I challenge you to look up your current skin & body care brands to see how safe (or toxic!) they are.  If you're looking for a brand that is non-toxic, made in the USA, certified organic (not just claiming to be), lists ALL it's ingredients right on the label, is fair trade, vegan, cruelty free & amazing, Pangea’s products are nontoxic and always beneficial, never artificial.  http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/