Summer Skincare Recommendations for Nutrition and SPF Products

Summer Skincare Recommendations for Nutrition and SPF Products

from Alternatives Newsletter Summer 2012
by Patricia Ryan, MD, Michelle McCaslin APRN

Skin Damage From the Sun

    The ultraviolet radiation from the sun can cause free-radical damage to the skin.  Free-radical damage occurs when there is an imbalance between harmful reactive oxygen and the amount of anti-oxidants (chemicals which allow the body to stop free-radicals). A free-radical is defined as a molecule that has an unpaired electron. This makes the molecule unstable.  A free-radical will always search for an electron to unite with to “make it whole”; so it will borrow an electron from, say, beta-carotene. Then beta-carotene borrows an electron from Vitamin “C”, which will borrow an electron from Vitamin E, and so on. If we didn’t have anti-oxidants, the free radical damage could unravel all of our cell membranes, fracture our DNA, and cause collagen to break down. Our skin then can appear saggy, wrinkled, and can develop skin cancers. Have you noticed a slower turnover of dead skin cells, or more brown spots? Some of this is due to lack of anti- oxidants in the skin.

Diet and the Skin

     The skin uses multiple dietary nutrients to protect itself. For instance, there are different types of anti-oxidants; Coenzyme Q10, glutathione, Vitamin C, alpha lipoic acid, as well as more complex molecules such as catalase, glutathione peroxidase, etc. Exposure to UV light, aging, chronic chemical exposure from our environment, and too much sugar will deplete these naturally occurring anti-oxidants from the skin. If we get low on anti-oxidants, there are actually studies showing that the body will prioritize their distribution according to the need. Therefore the anti-oxidants you eat may be sent to your kidneys instead of your skin if you don’t have enough around to cover all areas where they are needed!

     Did you know that Greece (yes, sunny Greece) has one of the lowest rates of melanoma (the most aggressive type of skin cancer), and Australia has one of the highest? Could diet be the difference? Diets high in fruits and vegetables are most protective, while diets high in alcohol, red meat, fries foods, and butter allow for significantly more UV associated sun damage. Note: our red meat is now corn fed with genetically modified grain, and has lower omega 3 content. Grass fed, organic, and free range meat and dairy products will be more nutritious.

   Nutritional Recommendations to Minimize Sun Damage:

·      Beta-carotene - specifically reduces melanoma risk, and works with Vitamin A, C, and E for a multiplier effect. Sources include: carrots, sweet potatoes, kale, pumpkin, spinach collard greens.

·      Lutein and Lycopene (fellow carotenoids) protect cells against both free-radical damage and genetic damage. Dietary sources of lutein include: spinach, kale, peas, brussel sprouts, zucchini, pistachios, broccoli, and corn. Lycopene is of course found in tomatoes. One study found that an oral lycopene supplement reduces the count of sunburned cells by 83%, as compared to people who took no lycopene and had the same duration of sun exposure.

·      Flavanoids and polyphenols are anti-oxidants that come from green tea, black tea, caffeine, cocoa, grape seeds, grape skins, and citrus peels.

·      Black tea and green tea protect against UVB tumors, and a component of green tea called “ECGC” reduces the frequency of DNA damage to fibroblasts (the cells which make collagen in the skin) that are exposed to both UVA and UVB over time. So drink your green tea!

·      Citrus peel flavanoids (Oranges, limes, lemons) protect against squamous cell carcinoma.

·      Resveratrol inhibits skin cancers produced by UVA light.

·      Vitamin C helps preserve stores of your more potent anti-oxidants such as glutathione, reduces UV redness, and protects your DNA from UV damage.

·      Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols) protects against UV-induced sun damage to the fats in all of your skin cell membranes.

·      Fish oil is an omega 3 fat that supports immune function to fight cancer, important because UV radiation can induce suppression of the immune system.

·      Olive oil is an Omega 9 fat that slows signs of skin aging and protects against skin cancers.

  At Alternatives we have two supplements available containing many of the anti-oxidants and nutrients described above: Sunpal and Tanpal. Sunpal is a multi-vitamin to take throughout the summer and Tanpal offers additional support for activities in the sun. Formulated by Dr. Jonathon Wright and based on research featured in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and Nutrition Reviews, these supplements are an option for a simple way to give your skin the nutrition it needs to help protect it in the summer months. Keep in mind these supplements go hand in hand with a healthy diet!

What About Vitamin D?

     Vitamin D is first formed in the skin. When exposed to the sun, the body uses cholesterol in the skin to make Vitamin D1. The liver then converts Vitamin D1 to Vitamin D2. The kidney converts Vitamin D2 to Vitamin D3 which is the ACTIVE FORM. There is a documented deficiency of Vitamin D3 in all areas of the United States -sunny or not!

     There are multiple theories as to why Americans are deficient in Vitamin D3. The prevailing theory is that we are over-utilizing sunscreens or not getting enough sunlight.  This may be true, but it is not the full story. I have checked Vitamin D3 levels on many tanned individuals exposed to plenty of sunlight who are still deficient in Vitamin D3.

     What might be some other explanations? We need to consider that many people are on cholesterol lowering drugs, and they may not have enough cholesterol available in their skin to produce enough Vitamin D1.  Another possibility is that the cholesterol in the skin gets damaged by the UV light and thus is not available to be turned into Vitamin D1 (not enough anti-oxidants?)

     We should also examine our liver and it’s ability or lack thereof to convert Vitamin D1 to Vitamin D2. There are enzyme systems in our liver that are used to remove toxins from our body. It is possible that the same liver pathway that is needed to convert Vitamin D1 to Vitamin D2 may be being used to remove chemicals such as herbicides, and pesticides. It may be that these pathways are overwhelmed and cannot do their jobs (it turns out that the liver needs anti-oxidants to perform this function). In other words, perhaps some environmental toxin requires the same enzymes in the liver to process them that would usually be used to convert Vitamin D to its active form.

     Needless to say there is more to the story of vitamin D3 that we need to further understand. What we do know is that Vitamin D3 provides essential functions in our body such as cancer prevention and bone health. For now, we should all supplement with Vitamin D3 and support our body with wonderful anti-oxidants. Since our body utilizes the sun to make the hormone Vitamin D, perhaps our Creator designed us to be in the sun -- at least some of the time!

Recommended Sunscreens

     Sunscreens keep you safe from sunburn, but do they keep you safe? Are all sunscreens the same? Are there differences in sunscreens that we should be aware of?

     SPF (sun protection factor) works by absorbing, reflecting or scattering the sun's rays on the skin. The Environmental Working Group said consumers should not purchase sunscreens with SPF greater than 50. "It is very misleading to put high SPF numbers on labels because it gives consumers a false sense of security and doesn't offer a lot more protection," Leiba said. They are right. While SPF 85 may sound like a lot more protection than SPF 30, the higher the number doesn't always give a high return. Studies show that sunscreen with SPF 15 can block about 93% of all incoming UVB rays. SPF 30 blocks 97%. SPF 50 blocks 98%.

     Various chemicals are added into some sunscreens which are actually toxic to your body. There are also “nano” or minute forms of otherwise non toxic substances that due to their size are now toxic once absorbed into the skin along with the heat and rays from the sun.

According to Dr. Mercola, some chemicals to avoid are:

• Para amino benzoic acid
• Octyl salicyclate
• Avobenzone
• Oxybenzone
• Cinoxate
• Padimate O
• Dioxybenzone
• Phenylbenzimidazole
• Homosalate
• Sulisobenzone
• Menthyl anthranilate
• Trolamine salicyclate
• Octocrylene
• dioxybenzone
• oxybenzone

     Many sunscreens contain these chemicals, which are toxic to our skin and overall health. The Environmental Working Group has put together a "hall of shame" on their website of products to avoid and why. If you have children check out this list as some children's sunscreens contain hormone disrupting chemicals.  At Alternatives we have carefully selected skincare products that have a minimum amount of toxic chemicals or none at all and yet still offer superior sun protection compared to commercial sunscreens that contain high amounts of toxic chemicals.

Here are our some of our favorite SPF products:

Eminence Tomato Sun Cream SPF 16

This is a light summer moisturizer for normal to dry skin with additional UVA/UBC/UVC protection. Hydration of the skin will last all day due to the natural ingredients harnessed from the tomato fruit.

           

Eminence Tropical Vanilla Sun Cream SPF 32

This product is for all skin types and is a broad spectrum UVA/UVB/UVC protection. Is a daily moisturizer and a natural UV blocker that hydrates with the shea butter and fragrant soothing affects of vanilla.

Eminence Topical Vanilla Body Lotion SPF 32

This offers natural SPF protection for all skin types and everyone in the family. Lotion has broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection. Uses natural defenses of zinc and organic herbal ingredients of shea butter and vanilla that also work to hydrate and calm.

           

Eminence Organic Sun Defense tinted mineral body powder SPF 30

This product is made of simple ingredients from the Earth, no added chemicals, perfumes or dyes. Ingredients work to help heal and help skin become healthier. Suitable for men and women, minerals work well during swimming and exercise. Minerals offer a weightless physical layer of non-chemical SPF 30.

Jane Iredale Powder-Me-SPF 30

It is made with natural clay that soothes and decreases inflammation in the skin, so there is no irritation to the skin, and it provides UVB/UVA protection.

Jane Iredale Purepressed Base/ Amazing Base SPF 20

UVA medium protection made of mineral bases and algae extract that helps decrease moisture loss and protects while in the sun.

Jane Iredale Dream Tint SPF 15 (5 complexion shades)

            UVA medium protection that gives a creamy coverage that looks and feels like it is barely there. Oil free made with minerals that work to minimize fine lines and pores. Lipids from sea plants are added to help improve the elasticity of the skin and also help to decrease water loss. Antioxidants also work to maximize protection from the sun’s rays.

                                                                                                                         

Epionce Ultra Shield Lotion SPF 50

Ultra Shield is formulated for all skin types, especially sensitive and fair, who want a powerful and hydrating sunscreen. It is light quick absorbing sheer lotion that protects against UVA and UVB, and can be worn daily under makeup (no whitening effect). It contains antioxidants and reduces inflammation, signs of aging, and reduces risk of skin cancer. It is also very water resistant and can be worn during strenuous activities. Make sure to bring this for swimming and volleyball!

Epionce Active Shield Lotion SPF 30+
            Similar to the Ultra Shield but lower SPF and less water resistant. Suitable for moderate outdoor activities.

   We hope you enjoy your summer – including fun in the sun. All of our SPF skincare, including the products listed above, will be 20% off through June 30.  Be sure to get enough for you and your family -  and if you have any questions or concerns please call or write to us – 402-827-9450 or alternativesomaha@gmail.com. Happy Summer!

References and Online Resources:

"The Bottom Line on Sunscreens -- Which Sunscreens are the Safest?" by Dr. Mercola, from Mercola.com June 06, 2011 articles.  mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/06/06/do-you-know-which-sunscreen-products-to-avoid.aspx

"Now you can be safer in the Sun with the oral use of supplemental nutrients found to be photoprotective, along with the topical use of sunscreens" by Will Block from Life Extension News  http://www.life-enhancement.com/article_template.asp?id=2266

The Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep website, featuring research and sunscreen reviews and updated in 2012 http://breakingnews.ewg.org/2012sunscreen/