Warmer weather is just around the corner and that means showing more skin. Everyone wants the confidence boost that comes from having sun kissed skin, but it’s important to do so in a healthy way.
Exposure to harmful UV rays is dangerous. Each year, more people are diagnosed with skin cancer than all other cancers combined. In fact, 1 in 5 Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70. Almost all of these cases are caused by exposure to UV rays, either from the sun or from tanning beds. In fact, indoor tanning beds are even more dangerous than direct sun exposure, emitting up to 10-15 times more radiation than the most intense sun rays.
That’s why the FDA recommends that people limit their sun exposure and apply sunscreen containing Broad Spectrum SPF on a daily basis.
Cancer is not the only risk caused by tanning. UV rays and blue light (HEV) are responsible for around 90% of premature skin aging, which is cumulative — meaning that protecting your skin from harmful UV and HEV rays at any age can slow physical signs of aging.
So how can you obtain irresistible, suntanned skin without causing irreparable harm to your appearance and your health? You can turn to self-tanning or bronzing products. But not all sunless tanning solutions are equal. Some, including chemically reactive self-tanners, pose some of the same risks as sun exposure.
Here’s what to look for and what to avoid while achieving your summer glow.
Avoid Chemically Reactive Self-Tanners
Everyone is familiar with the eerie, unnatural orange glow some self-tanners produce, especially when applied liberally. While many newer formulations have eliminated this problem, the real dangers of using self-tanners come from their chemical composition.
Just because self-tanners rely on UV rays doesn’t mean that it is safe. Some sunless tanning products contain harmful chemicals like dihydroxyacetone (DHA), often in high levels that can turn skin unnaturally orange. DHA works by interacting with dead skin cells to darken skin color by causing a Maillard reaction — the same reaction that is responsible for browning food. This reaction has been shown to release dangerous free radicals that can break down collagen, causing premature aging and wrinkles. It has also been shown to cause DNA damage.
Bronzers – the Risk-Free Way to Achieve a Summer Glow
Bronzer, a tinted product that you apply directly to your skin, can give you a natural-looking, golden glow without introducing harmful chemicals. Unlike self-tanners, a good bronzer has no harsh chemical smell and washes off easily.
To obtain truly healthy-looking, glowing skin while also protecting your health, choose a bronzer with SPF protection and natural ingredients that nourish the skin. My Day Screen® Tinted Body Screen is an antioxidant-rich, mineral, plant-based bronzer with broad spectrum SPF 30 protection, clinically proven to block both UVA and UVB rays and blue light (HEV). The Tinted Body Screen offers a blue light blocking feature unique to a bronzer – shielding you from the sun’s deep HEV rays. It’s easy to apply to any part of your body and remains on your skin until you decide to wash it off. It gives your skin that silky-smooth feeling while applying several levels of protection.
Shop your healthy, bronzing, Tinted Body Screen today!