Going Green at the Beach? Use Natural Sunblocks

Green tea: This wonderful natural product contains flavonoids such as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)  which help prevent skin inflammation, reduces signs of aging (age spots), and may even help cure skin cancers. It does this by neutralizes major free radicals in the skin caused by the sun’s ultraviolet rays. You can apply a formulation under your natural sunscreen.

Silymarin, or “milk thistle” contains flavanolignans (collectively known as silymarin or silybin), flavonoids and other compounds that are good against free radicals and promote healthy skin. Silmarin is also good tor healthy liver function which ultimately affects the condition of your skin; especially against skin cancer.

Proanthocyanidins made from grape seed extract and pycnogenol are very beneficial for cardiovascular health, and provides protective antioxidant effects, improved eye health, and anti-inflammatory action in the skin which helps retard skin aging. Proanthocyanidins are also found in red wine and natural grape juice and are excellent for reducing varicose veins and improving arterial circulation.

Curcumin, a very old antioxidant and mentioned in my previous article on medicinal plants and herbs helps to prevent skin cancer while reducing skin inflammation. Due to its yellow color (it’s used a lot in food dishes) a colorless version called tetrahydrocurcumi is available and is said to lighten skin “aging spots”.

Rosemary, another common herb used often in food dishes, contains antioxidants and and helps protect the skin against UV sun radiation which causes skin cancers.

A number of vitamins, including vitamins C, D, and E help the skin maintain protection against the sun. Vitamin E  prevents the formation of free radicals in skin tissue. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble fatty acid and is found in a number of vegetable oils, including corn and soy bean oils.

By checking out stores selling natural skin products, preparations can be found that contain most of these ingredients. Or you can simply make your own sun screen preparations (see Karen’s recipe here —> on organic sunscreen). The best protection is simply not over-exposing your skin to the sun during the summer, especially between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm.

Photo via DODO

More about climate issues that affect sun radiation exposure and using natural remedies:

Israel’s Beach Season Opens With Litterbugs
Killing Marine Life With Your Sun Screen
Record High Summer Temperatures are also Scorching the Middle East
Boost Your Natural Immune System With Medicinal Plants and Herbs