Sun Protection Tips for Healthy Skin

i have light brown colored skin and it's also sensitive. I'm allergic to sunscreen. I got a sunburn last summer and possibly 2 times in the summer and a couple times in the winter from sun reflection off the snow. I was hoping for a more natural defense against the sun.
- 2/21/2013 5:05:12 PM

I used to consider tanning a "hobby". I still look wistfully at the tanning salons when I go by. I am now almost 49 years old though, and see the results in the mirror every day. - 10/17/2012 11:13:18 AM

To HEALTHYJEN11 and anyone else allergic to sunscreens -

Google sunscreen clothing and you'll come up with reputable clothing companies. The one I use is fabulous! Hats, gloves, even sleeves only to use when driving, skirts, swimwear - the list is endless. - 10/17/2012 9:34:59 AM

warning tanners against the danger of UV rays is like warning smokers against the danger of their tobacco and other poisons. we know the risks. however, I CAN stop tanning whenever I want, it isn't an addiction. and it's a LOT cheaper to visit the cancer beds than to buy the cancer sticks. and while smokers complain of having to freeze in the winters for their vice, I'm toasty warm and relaxed all year round. - 10/17/2012 12:24:25 AM

Because of my ancestry I have never felt compelled to be a huge fan of sunscreen. I like to get some sun but generally wear long sleeves even in summer and tend to wear jeans all year long unless I am exercising. - 10/10/2012 8:29:03 PM

Well ....Dr' Oz has come around( because of new research)... and NOW recomends the tanning beds that use the UVB....saying no more that 5 minutes each time for health - 7/7/2012 7:26:55 PM

I burn instantly in the sun, but am allergic to sunscreen... what's a girl to do??? - 6/23/2012 8:56:14 PM

'Scuse me while I have a chuckle up here at 60 degrees northern latitude. With only 5 hours of sunlight on December 26, and the sun inching along a little hop over the southern horizon, UV damage to my skin isn't one of my big worries today! - 12/26/2011 12:05:44 PM

Here is a report to help find non-toxic sunscreens.
http://breaking
news.ewg.org/
2011sunscreen/ - 6/28/2011 12:55:06 PM

Zinc based sunscreens are the only really effective ones. The sunscreens with ingredients ending in "-one" break down in the sun (!), plus they have those synthetic hormone effects. I use zinc spf 50 waterbabies by coppertone to keep the sun off. - 6/28/2011 12:53:48 PM

Regarding questions about sunscreen, when you go to the drugstore look for sunscreens that are made for the face (Neutrogena, Aveeno, etc). On a hot sweaty day, you can use these sunscreens and avoid the stinging eyes.

You don't have to spend a lot of money to get a decent sunscreen as you'll find if you watch this 2011 video about the recent Consumer Reports sunscreen rankings: http://www.ivilla
ge.com/best-s
unscreens-201
1/4-h-359633?
dst=iv%3AiVil
lage%3Abest-s
unscreens-2011-359633

And if you are wanting to avoid the greasy feel of sunscreens, you can find those, too. I like Neutrogena. http://www.viewpo
ints.com/Non-
Greasy-Sunscreen

And Avon has a product that is both a bug repellant and a sunscreen.

Don't forget that many lotions and make-up foundations and powders now include some sunscreen protection. And you don't have to spend lots of money. This site lists eight inexpensive make-up brands with sunscreen:
http://www.asso
ciatedcontent
.com/article/
816447/what_i
s_the_best_ma
keup_foundation.html?cat=69

The upside is that if you take care of your skin you'll be one of the wrinkle-free people later in life! - 6/28/2011 9:38:52 AM

I am also a Melanoma Survivor. Never laid out in the sun, but was always in sports, probably didn't cover up enough when I was younger. I am a 9 year survivor! - 6/28/2011 9:26:13 AM

I'm another survivor of melanoma and also have had a basal cell cancer on my face.

You can get vitamin D from other sources than the sun. Fair-skinned folks can get their daily dose of Vitamin D with a few minutes in the sun. Others may only need 15 minutes in the sun.
See http://health.usn
ews.com/healt
h-news/family
-health/heart
/articles/200
8/06/23/time-
in-the-sun-ho
w-much-is-needed-for-vitamin-d

The rest of the time plan to use sunscreen.

The Canadians put together a very effective video: "Dear 16-year-old Me." Some of us already made mistakes in our youth regarding sunburn, etc. We can prevent this problem in our children and grandchildren. Go to:
http://www.yout
ube.com/watch
?v=_4jgUcxMezM - 6/28/2011 9:20:15 AM

Is there a good sunscreen to use when doing outdoor exercise? If I use ordinary sunscreen it runs into my eyes when I sweat. - 6/28/2011 7:58:01 AM

My twenty-two-year-o
ld daughter has an appointment to see a skin specialist next month because she has possible skin cancer showing up in the form of what looks like a bruised toenail on both big toes. Scaring the living daylights out of us waiting for that appointment. She has been an avid "tanning bed" tanner for several years. Don't risk your life over a stupid tan, people! - 10/2/2010 10:24:28 PM