Summer has arrived in Austin and with it we will soon have 100+ degree days one after another. We know you are bombarded with information about the importance of protecting your skin from the sun, but do you know how to choose safe and effective sunscreens over the toxic kind that don’t work?

As part of our commitment to your health in offering only quality products, know that you can trust Peoples when it comes to what you put on your body’s largest organ – your skin! Read on to learn more and even see what’s on sale this month!

Peoples’ Naturopathic Doctor* Amy Tyler recently wrote about the safety of sunscreen active ingredients in this article, including the potential risks associated with choosing chemical over mineral products and sprays over creams or sticks. For inquiring minds, she also explains the “alphabet soup” you usually see on sunscreen packaging, like UVA, UVB, and SPF.

Another great resource is the annual Guide to Sunscreens, published every year by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). Just released for summer 2018, it ranks the best and safest products for sports, kids, and more, plus it has a comprehensive explanation of common ingredients and their effects on skin and hormones, and a search function so you can check out the safety and efficacy of your favorite brands.

The EWG ranks all kinds of beauty products, and of course Peoples sells a number of brands with their highest ratings (1 and 2), including products from MyChelle. For the month of June, several skin protecting products from MyChelle are on sale at Peoples for 20% off. Hurry in to stock up for the summer!

The gist of EWG’s messages on sunscreen products is to avoid Oxybenzone, Vitamin A, SPFs above 50, and sprays, and to stick with creams containing Zinc Oxide, Avobenzome, and Mexoryl SX.

Related — some great news for the environment! Hawaii lawmakers recently passed a bill to ban the sale of sunscreens containing chemicals believed to damage coral reefs. If signed into law, the ban would be the first of its kind implemented to protect ocean life.

All that being said, remember to wear some kind of safe sunscreen or protective clothing this summer, and drink lots of water to make sure you stay hydrated in the brutal Texas heat!

*Naturopathic Doctors are not currently licensed in the state of Texas.