Reduce Sun Damage Without Using Sunscreens

We all want to look great all year round, especially during this season when the bright summer sun is inviting us outdoors. However, flashing your lovely and sensitive skin in your new swimsuit under the sun will do harm to your skin and body more than what you might have imagined.If you do not know yet, the ultraviolet rays from the sun form free radicals in the skin causing damage and putting you at a high risk for skin diseases and cancer. It is important that we learn how to protect our skin from the sun the natural and healthy way, by which I mean without exposing ourselves to the dangers of harmful chemicals and toxins from sunscreen products.
Good thing, our body naturally produces antioxidant compounds to beat down the free radicals before they do any damage. We can boost this natural process of our body by eating foods rich in vitamins A, C, D and E. Selenium and omega-3 are also significant in reducing inflammation and sun damage.

According to Irina Wardas, HHC of the NaturalCounselor Blog, here are the healthy ways you can protect your skin during summer:

• Incorporate more Super Foods in your diet.
• Foods rich in vitamin A: bright-colored fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, squash, broccoli, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, kale, collards, cantaloupe, peaches, apricots, watermelon, and berries.
• Foods rich in vitamin C: oranges, lime, kiwi, green peppers, broccoli, green leafy vegetables, berries, and tomatoes.
• Foods rich in vitamin E: walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, green leafy vegetables, barley, and millet.
• Add more lycopene-rich foods: cooked tomatoes, watermelon, papaya, and apricots.
• Get selenium from: shellfish, oatmeal, barley, buckwheat, eggs, legumes, chicken and garlic.
• Get omega-3 fatty acids from: wild salmon, walnuts,  and flax seed.
• Choose when to expose yourself in the sun. The healthiest is before 10:00 in the morning and after 5:00 in the afternoon. And always keep your sun-bathing in moderation, only enough to get vitamin D needed by your body to absorb calcium, strengthen your muscles, protect you from breast and colon cancer, and allow your thyroid and blood clotting to normally function.
• Avoid eating foods that make your skin sensitive to the sun before you head out to the beach: carrots, celery, parsley, parsnips and limes.
• If the sun gets overwhelming, you may use sunblock clothing and hats to minimize sun damage on your face.

Now, go out and enjoy the sun! But make sure that you follow these tips. Have fun!!!

Image by pennajoe123 on Flickr