While estheticians are commonly asked to recommend natural and safe sunscreens, it's first crucial to understand why vitamin D is so important to our body and skin as well as safe ways of getting it from the sun. It's a constantly evolving subject, and esthetics professionals need to stay informed.
We know that the most effective means of producing vitamin D (a hormone) is through sun exposure, but it's also acquired through dietary supplements and certain foods.
Why do we need Vitamin D?
Becoming Sun Smart
A little bit of sun exposure is enough to meet your body's need for Vitamin D.
- Head outside for 5-20 minutes of sunlight in the morning or late afternoon (any time your shadow is longer than yourself!), and your body can synthesize enough Vitamin D to provide the benefits mentioned above.
- Wear protective clothing in the hottest parts of the day, including a hat and sunglasses.
- Stay in the shade when the sun is at its strongest, between 10 am and 4 pm
- If you're going to be out in the sun in the hottest parts of the day, or have lengthy exposure, choose an effective and safe sunscreen by looking for products that include Micronized Zinc Oxide, or Titanium Dioxide.
Should you avoid chemical sunscreen?
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) has shown that ingredients in chemical sunscreens (such as oxybenzone and octinoxate) can be absorbed into the bloodstream and have been linked to hormone disruption. The study found that levels of these chemicals in the bloodstream can continue to increase even up to 24 hours after application, with the effect being enhanced by reapplication of sunscreen.
While we don't know a lot about the long-term health effects of these chemicals, the study has raised concerns about their potential impact on our health.
What to recommend to your clients?
L'Moor follows the philosophy that "when in doubt, leave it out", and we don't sell products that contain chemical ingredients of concern. We do like to focus on sun protection products that contain micronized
Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, and wax-coated zinc oxide vs. coated nanoparticles (which contain plastics).
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