Non-Toxic Sunscreen Goddess Garden. Halt Sun Damage.

Over the years,  I have abused my skin from over exposure to the sun. How many of us have baked in the sun in the name of the ultimate tan, forgot to put on sunscreen thinking we will never get burned, or just hated the white look from the new slew  of nontoxic sunscreens? I am guilty on all 3 counts. Don’t be me. Learn how to prevent skin damage and ultimately, cancer, and use a non toxic sunscreen.  sunscreens have your back in all three categories.

Take a look at the picture above of my skin damage due to the sun. So, why does my skin look that way? I am outside a good part of the day gardening, which has become my passion.  In seven short years, my garden has been on steroids. The little garden that could has grown from 5 tomato plants to 30+ raised beds, multiple apple trees, 20 blueberry and raspberry bushes, and a multitude of flowers.

Didn’t you know that I am super-garden woman? I never get sun burnt.  (If you believe that I have a bridge in Brooklyn I can sell you.)

Due to my stupidity, arrogance, and forgetfulness (again and again) to apply sunscreen, I paid a price–my skin.  Skin damage doesn’t just show up. According to the National Institute of Health, skin damage  in adults which leads to skin cancer is caused by sun exposure and burns that began as early as childhood.   NIH further cautions, there is no such thing as a healthy tan.

I didn’t  even notice I had skin damage until just last year when I visited the dermatologist for my annual freckle check.  I peered down at my arms and sheepishly asked the doctor, “What are those ugly brown spots and white marks on my arms?”  He replied without any empathy, “That’s sun damage.”

Understanding Sun Exposure

But what causes skin damage?  There are 3 main types of  sun UV rays.   However,  UVA and UVB rays, cause damage to the DNA of the skin cells, which can lead to skin cancer.

How Can You Prevent Skin Damage and Skin Cancer?

#1 Use a Nontoxic Sunscreen

Most chemical sunscreens contain a combination of three to six of these active ingredients: oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate.  Oxybenzone  is in nearly 600 sun screen products and has been associated with health issues.

According to the Environmental Working Group,  oxybenzone which is used in 80% of sunscreen products has been linked to low birth weight in baby girls of mother’s who were exposed during pregnancy.  In addition, it can cause allergic skin reactions, and disrupt hormones as well as increase the risk of endometriosis.

Moreover, a CDC 2008 study revealed that 97% of the population has oxybenzone in their body.  UV filters, which are compounds such as oxybenzone, were present in 85.2% of breast milk samples, which could affect fetuses.

However, oxybenzone isn’t the only bad boy in the sunscreen chemical soup.

• Vitamin A which is also known as retinyl palmitate is in 20% of sunscreens.  A  study by the National Toxicology Program  revealed that retinyl palmitate speeds up skin tumors on test animals.
• Titanium dioxide  and zinc oxide nanoparticles according to Consumer Reports  “have been linked to reproductive and developmental effects in animals.”  Note, EWG does not feel studies warrant Consumer Report’s position but are concerned about health issues surrounding nanoparticle inhalation.
• Many of the 3000 chemical used in making fragrances have not been tested for toxicity. Fragrance could trigger allergies, asthma and migraines.  Additionally, fragrance can contain phthalates, which can interfere with both male and female hormone functions, and has been identified as a toxic chemical to the brain.

Before you throw up your hands in despair,  products are

• free of hormone disrupting chemicals, liquid plastics, and alcohols
• certified organic.
• biodegradable
• Reef-safe
• NON-GMO
• Sheer and Non-whitening  (No Casper look, promise.)
• Broad Spectrum
• Non-Nano
• Mineral Based

The entire Goddess Garden product line receive a 1 rating on EWG’s Skin Deep Database except for their continuous sprays, which receive a 3.  (Products are rated from 0 to 10 with O begin the best.)

According to the Company, EWG lumps all continuous sprays together as long as they contain titanium dioxide or zinc oxide and consequently rates them at a higher number due EWG’s health concern about nanoparticle inhalation.

Goddess Garden vehemently disagrees with EWG’s rating of its continuous spray and explains via email:

“The only actual difference between our continuous spray and our traditional lotion is that the sprays don’t have Shea butter… other than that the ingredient list is exactly the same…”

The Company further explains:

“The zinc and titanium that we use in our sprays is actually the EXACT SAME NON-NANO zinc and titanium that we use in our lotions. The average particle size is 120nm. The range in particle sizes is 100nm to 130nm. Most definitions of “nano-particles” are under 100nm.”

 #2 Use the Appropriate Sunscreen.

In June, 2012, the FDA adopted regulations which required sunscreen products to be labeled based upon their coverage.  Sunscreens that protect against all type of sun-induced skin damage shall be labeled as “Broad Spectrum” and “SPF 15” (or higher) on the front and back.

Sunscreens which are not labeled as “Broad Spectrum”  or that have SPF values between 2 and 14 have been shown to only prevent sunburn not skin damage. Goddess Garden’s products are Broad Spectrum.

 #3 Apply Sunscreen Properly

According to the Academy of Dermatology, most people who receive a sunburned have not applied enough sunscreen, didn’t reapply it, or used expired sunscreen.  They advise the following:

• Use a Broad Spectrum or SPF 30 or higher, water resistant sunscreen.
• Apply generously when going outside
• Reapply within 2 hours of daylight exposure.  Remember, you can get burned on a cloudy day as well.
• Apply sunscreen to all bare areas including your neck, face, ear, hands and tops of feet.  If you have thinning hair, you should wear a wide brimmed hat or a apply sunscreen to your scalp.

The FDA requires a statement on all over the counter sunscreens’ label to apply sunscreen 15 minutes before sun exposure outside.   Despite the labeling requirement, the Company states  you don’t need to wait 15  minutes for Goddess Garden’s sunscreen to absorb unlike chemical laden products.

#4 Take Simple Precautions

Infants and children are more sensitive to the effects of the sun.  The rays are the strongest between the hours of 10 am to 4 pm and in higher attitudes and closer to the tropics.  In addition, the reflection of the water, sand or snow can intensity the effects.

Certain medicine makes you more susceptible to sunburn.  Talk to your physician.

My Review of Goddess Garden Organics:   Thumbs Up

So you might be wondering, “Anna, sure Goddess Garden’s products are non toxic, but do they work?”

What did I think? I love, love, love the products I tried.  The Company offers 7 different products for adults and babies.

I tried the following products:

• Continuous Sport Spray (It is scent free and water resistant for 80 minutes. SPF 30.)
• 8 oz Natural Sunscreen Spray (SPF 30)Pump Spray (Water resistance for 40 minutes. SPF 30.)
• Lavender Mint Natural Daily Lotion.  (Water resistance for 40 Minutes.  SPF 15.  Great for fall and winter applications.  Note, the product is Broad Spectrum.)

All of the products were really easy to rub in.  I have applied other nontoxic sunscreens before and found them much harder to rub in and they made my skin white.

I adore the lavender lotion sunscreen since my skin tends to be dry.  I didn’t have to think twice about applying this product due to its added lotion benefit.  In fact, I save time in the morning applying one product instead of two.  Remember,  sun damage doesn’t just happen in the summer.

Hubs likes the convenience of the pump spray.  He applied it to all bare areas including his ears and neck.  He burns easily and didn’t with this spray.  This product is great for people with weak hands or  young children who have trouble controlling the amount of sunscreen they use. Sometimes sunscreen tubes can squirt out too much lotion if you are not careful.

The boys love the continuous spray since it is quick and easy. The continuous spray option is great for squirming kids and teens that refuse to wait to apply sunscreen.  They all felt that it was easy to rub in.  And of course,  their skin was clear as a bell without any that awful white look.

Goddess Garden products are just heavenly–nontoxic, works great, and healthy for the environment.  What’s not to love?

Discount Offer:

So how can you buy the products?  Use this discount code “GGOrganics” from May 1, 2014 to July 31 to receive $2 off any product on the website.

Giveaway

But I am not done and nor is the Goddess.  Your health is paramount to this Company.  Be sure to enter this amazing giveaway.  You got to love this Company. (PS Did I tell you that the CEO and founder  of the Company is a Mom.  Need I say more?)

• 1.  One GRAND Prize valued at $183–about 12 months of sunscreen which consists of the following:  four (4) continuous sprays, one (1) facial sunscreen,  one (1) kids’ pump spray, one (1) kids’ 3.4 ounce tube (carry-on size),  one (1) adult 6 ounce tube, and  one (1) kids’ 6 ounce tube.

• 2. Twenty (20) second prize Natural  Body 30 SPF 3.4 oz.

You must be 18 years old to enter and be from the US.  There are multiple chances to win!  Good luck.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Join the Conversation:

What sunscreen is in your cabinet?

This post is sponsored by Green Sisterhood.  All opinions are my own.

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