Organic Sunblock

How to Make Organic Sunblock

I went to a class by naturalist Shoshana Harrari here in Israel, and she suggests only using coconut oil....
It's good to know these natural options are out there...

G-d bless!!!

Check it out:
http://www.greenprophet.com/2010/07/diy-organic-sunscreen/

Black Sunscreens-Inside Out

Blacks suffering from melanoma/skin cancer??

Apparently studies show that Blacks are most likely than Whites to have late stage skin cancer-which seem illogical considering that the dark pigmentation would be a protection against the sun's hot rays.

Well, if we take our lovely dark pigmentation and add a lather of sunscreen on, we're actually asking for trouble.

"Sunscreens were never developed to prevent skin cancer," This is from editor Zoe Diane Draelos from the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. In fact, many sunscreen products contain cancer producing ingredients like oxybenzone which is a hormone disruptor. Others say that titanium dioxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles are also hazardous. Although the Environmental Working Group state that these substances are effective in blocking out UV rays without penetrating healthy skin.

Yikes! That's still scary.

Vitamin D is taking the lead in prevention of cancer. A sensible amount of sunlight exposure actually reduces the risk of cancer. So, if folks with darker complexion put on sunscreen, it's like a double barrier, and vitamin D deficiencies become rampant. Less vitamin D= more cancer. And hence, this is why Blacks may have more cases of skin cancer. We're running away from the very source that will make us stronger!

Another fascinating point is nutrition.

Of course.

We can actually create a natural sunscreen from the inside out. The more anti-oxidant powered fruits and vegetables we eat, the stronger our skin can withstand the sun's rays. The less we burn!

Y'all, this is something the sunscreen companies will NEVER reveal. In fact, "skin cancer can only be caused when UV exposure is combined with chronic nutritional deficiencies that create skin vulnerabilities."

This is wild stuff.

Another reason to eat our greens.

Spread the word.

Green is in. Sun is in. Chemicals are out.

Vitamin D is key. Sunlight exposure is crucial-to a point. Natural protection for my fair-skinned friends is important. I recently saw a picture of women in Madagascar with a yellow-orange tumeric root paste on their skin. It is their natural sunscreen. Although I don't think anyone in the West is keen on walking down the street with a bright orange face, we should look into natural products. The EWG has an online guide of natural products to check the ingredients for safety.

Then again, one can choose to make one's own sunblock....


G-d bless!!!

Check it out:

http://blogs.mercola.com/sites/vitalvotes/archive/2011/07/13/does-your-sunscreen-contain-this-cancer-causing-ingredient.aspx

http://www.aolnews.com/2010/05/24/study-many-sunscreens-may-be-accelerating-cancer/

http://breakingnews.ewg.org/2011sunscreen/sunscreens-exposed/nanomaterials-and-hormone-disruptors-in-sunscreens/

http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/

http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/realityzone/UFNbrazilianSupermodelSunscreen.html

http://www.naturalnews.com/032815_sunscreen_chemicals.html

http://www.naturalnews.com/019428.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_5126755_make-safe-natural-sunblock.html

Vitamin D: My Dark, Lovely Shade of Brown

Part IV

The sun is blazing hot near the equator, and yet there are thousands of Africans going about their business every day. How do they do it?

Apparently, in traditional African societies, they would know when to be outdoors to milk their cows, go hunting, etc. and when to take cover. And they would also use skin care products. (I love this part!)

The Ugandan Acholi would use simsim oil and shea butter. And the Massai tribe used a mixture of red ochre (red or yellow-tinted clay) and cow fat. The point is that, no, Africans weren't just out in the sun all day and, yes, they used products to protect and moisturize their skin. These oils and butter contain vitamin E, seal in the skin's natural moisture, and the thick layer protects against the hot rays.

Do African Americans wear sunscreen?
Well, what's your skin tone? What's your lifestyle like? Are you always outdoors? What time? Or are you only indoors? If you are using a sunscreen, do you Know if the ingredients really protect you? The topic of which sunscreen to use is a whole other story, and some contain toxic stuff. I pray that we each research this further if and when we choose to wear it. Protection from the sun isn't just through sunscreen. Covering up with clothes is also effective. Are you often in the water? The sun's rays are hotter from the reflection.

Are you taking care of your skin?

Taking care of ourselves means getting information! Finding out info that pertains to us: not just depressing statistics, but SOLUTIONS. Are we deficient
in vitamin D? Check it out and do something about it!

Taking care of ourselves means respecting our G-d given uniqueness and not trying to adopt another groups' characteristics. That means respecting our lovely shades of brown. And I do mean lovely...


Taking care of ourselves means loving ourselves. And certain Sages write that loving isn't just a feeling. It's an action. It's giving. In fact, giving LEADS to loving!

If I want to love myself, I need to give to myself.

And in order to give PROPERLY, I need to understand and respect what I am, what I need, what I like, and where I want to go.

I respect that my ancestors are from Africa. I respect my dark, lovely shade of brown. I respect that I need health: healthy realtionships, healthy food, healthy body, healthy books, healthy hobbies.

I respect that G-d gave me a mind to think for myself. I don't need the media to tell me how.

I respect that I like enjoyment. Being and living healthy is not a punishment. And it's not exclusively for "others." It is a gift for everyone.

I respect that life isn't only about me.

I respect that life isn't only about feeling good. It's also about doing good.

I respect that others need me.

I respect that I need them.

I respect me.

G-d bless!

Check it out:

This is one is really worth checking out...Lots of info re: vitamin D testing, supplements, warnings, etc.
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2002/02/23/vitamin-d-deficiency-part-one.aspx

http://ezinearticles.com/?Do-Africans-Get-Sunburn?&id=1770693

http://heartscanblog.blogspot.com/2008/02/vitamin-d-toxicity.html

http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/vitaminDToxicity.shtml

www.naturalnews.com (Interview w/ Dr. Micheal Holick)

R. Dessler, Strive for Truth

Vitamin D: Sunlight-Only $69.99

Part III
So, people are running for shade. And it's understandable why.

Skin cancer is a serious disease. In 2005, 50,589 Caucasions were affected with it. (1,112 Hispanics, and 261 African Americans/Center for Disease Control)
We just don't want to go there.

But some doctors are saying that the message is being taken too far. Dr. James Dowd, a rheumatologist and author of The Vitamin D Cure says, "Many dermatologists have thrown the baby out with the bath water."

When Dr. Holick began publicizing the benefits of sunlight/ vitamin D, he was lambasted by dermatologists and even asked to RESIGN from his position at the dermatology dept. at the university!

He says that the American Academy of Dermatology is well-funded by the sunscreen industry...

But these "rebel" doctors aren't even telling folks to go spend hours in the sun! Dr. Holick recommends a light-skinned person to spend 5-10 minutes in the sun, and then cover up. (this is in the summer months) Those with darker skin need more time and should spend 15-30 minutes longer. Other vitamin D experts say 10-20 mins for a light skinned and ATLEAST twice as much for a darker skinned.

I found that the exacts amounts of vitamin D required varied depending on the source. Typically, it was around 1,000 units for adults. (Hmmm, how am I supposed to count that?) Others say more is needed. (The battle goes on...)

And what about foods?

This is what the American Academy of Dermatology says: "Under no circumstances should anyone be misled into thinking that natural sunlight or tanning beds are better sources of vitamin D than foods or nutritional supplements. The only thing they are proven to be better at is increasing your risk of developing skin cancer."

(Well, I agree about the tanning beds! The World Health Organization stated in 2005 that the use of tanning beds increased the risk of skin cancer...)


Indeed, oily fish like salmon, tuna, and sardines, also egg yolks and beef liver are high in vitamin D. (woohoo!) Cod liver oil has got it. Milk, orange juice, and some cereals are also fortified with the vitamin. (Note: It's Vitamin D2)

Definitely good meal choices during the winter months when there is less sun. Dr. Cannell, Vitamin D Council, writes that diets rich in vegetables, fruits, and omega-3fats, and avoiding too much omega-6 and trans-fats—also protects your skin from burning.

But know!

Some say it would take 10 cups of fortified milk and 25 cups of fortified cornflakes each day to get 1,000 units of vitamin D. And you'd have to have fish 3-5 times a week. (Don't mind the fish...)

The good news is that once a person has racked up vitamin D in their body during the summer months, it is stored in the body as fat and can be used during the winter months when it's really needed.

(G-d is clever!)

There continues to be skeptics about the effectiveness of vitamin D re: cancer. And, maybe that's healthy. To rely on one vitamin to solve this disease sounds too good to be true, but rather an interaction of necessary vitamins and minerals does make sense. Everything has to work together...

Ok, I am understanding more about sunlight and the clear benefits of vitamin D. And, honestly, completely hiding away from the sun doesn't even sound sane! However, it does have to be done smart.

But why would anyone want to promote sunshine? It can't be packaged and sold... And why promote it if African Americans are the ones who stand to benefit more?

And, back to my original question: Do African Americans wear sunscreen??

G-d bless!

http://www.miamiherald.com/277/v-print/story/503619.html

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs287/en/index.html

http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/

Vitamin D: Do African Americans Wear Sunscreen?

I've been reading about vitamin D and expected to read about the benefits of the vitamin. Y'know, the usual. But I realized that it was much bigger deal than I could have imagined, so I figured I would break this topic up into parts.

Part I. Do Black Folks Wear Sunscreen?

The last time I watched Oprah, I remember her mentioning that she wears sunscreen. I use to always wonder if black folks wore sunscreen. It was always a source of embarrassment for me. Hey, you're dark, why are you wearing it? Also, I knew some black people who didn't want to be out in the sun for fear of getting darker. Y'know, try to stay as "light" as you can. The times I would wear sunscreen, I preferred not having my friends know b/c once they did, they snickered at me.

But, hey, I didn't want to get skin cancer! Even black folks gotta be careful!

And yet...I came across an article commenting that are thousands of Africans living in the hottest, sunniest places for years upon years, and yet they are not falling left and right from sun exposure. What gives?

Well, there are three things to know:
1. Sunlight is a natural nutrient that allows us to produce vitamin D in our bodies.
2. Sunscreen is truly effective. The weakest sunblock of SPF 8-15 can block out UV rays by 95%!
3. People with dark pigmentation have a natural barrier, called melanin, against the sun. Depending on the skin tone, according to Dr. Micheal Holick, we basically have a natural SPF of 15-30%

The problem here is that many people, especially those with darker skin tones are deficient in vitamin D. And in my readings, I've learned that vitamin D does more than help our bodies absorb calcium. MUCH MORE!

Much of the info given over comes from Dr. Micheal Holick, a heavy weight in vitamin D studies. He is Professor of Medicine, Phsiology, and Biophysics at the Boston University School of Medicine. And he (among others) is correcting a lot of misconceptions about sunlight, which some people aren't too happy about. And you will soon see why...

G-d bless!