actual products do little to protect against the longer waves of UVA rays. Sunscreen alone does not
completely prevent skin cancers such as melanoma, because harmful types of sun rays can cause DNA
damage without actually burning the skin. Not a single sun-block or sunscreen can completely shield
you from the harmful effects of sun radiation. Protective clothing made of natural, breathable fabrics,
wide-brimmed hats, beach parasols, and common sense are your most reliable allies against
premature skin aging. Avoid sunbathing between 10 AM and 4 PM. Keep babies away from the sun
during this time, too.
Remember that the sun’s rays are stronger at higher elevations and near the equator. Here’s a trick:
check your shadow length. If your shadow is shorter than your actual height, the risk of sunburn is
much higher. Be aware that reflective surfaces like snow and water can greatly increase the amount of
UV radiation to which the skin is exposed.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, more than 1.5 million skin cancers are diagnosed in the
U.S. each year. Don’t become part of this sad statistic. Not a single sunscreen or sunblock, natural or
chemical, allows you to bake in the sun for hours.
Strengthen Your Skin’s Defenses
We receive a major dose of sun radiation from our daily exposure to the sun, rather than at the
beach where we are more likely to use sunscreens. Human skin has a built-in mechanism for sun
protection, but an abundance of hormone-disrupting and toxic chemicals in the environment, a weak
immune system, a less-than-perfect diet, and stress join forces to undermine our skin’s natural ability
to protect itself from the elements, including sun radiation. Here’s how you can give your skin a
helping hand.
If you choose to add just one natural antioxidant to your diet and skin care routine, make it green
tea. Studies show that an antioxidant in green tea, a polyphenol called epigallocatechin gallate
(EGCG), may prevent DNA damage from ultraviolet radiation (Morley et al. 2005). Human trials
showed that green tea offered some protection from sun radiation even when volunteers drank it and
then were exposed to twelve minutes of ultraviolet A radiation. Make sure you drink lots of iced
green tea during the summer, and I believe that if you add a concentrated extract of epigallocatechin
gallate to your sun protective moisturizer, the effect could be even greater. Powdered
epigallocatechin gallate is available online.
Virtually all plants and animals protect themselves from the sun using vitamins C and E. A stable
aqueous solution of 15 percent L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and 1 percent alpha-tocopherol (vitamin
E) can provide significant protection against sunburn by warding off free radicals. Scientists say that
either L-ascorbic acid or 1 percent alpha-tocopherol alone is also protective, but a combination
works much better (Lin et al. 2003). Consistent use for at least four days produced even better
protection from photoaging. Many sunscreen products contain vitamins C and E in their formulations.
One of nature’s most potent sun protectors is edelweiss. This precious flower protects itself from
the intense sun at the tops of mountains thanks to carotenoids and vitamin E, which help this summer-
flowering alpine herb survive exposure to intense UV radiation. “Edelweiss is useful in protecting
human skin, too,” says Roger Barsby of Weleda. “Active compounds in the plant alleviate irritation
and help prevent premature aging and wrinkling, as well as protect blood vessels and so impeding
fine thread veins. Edelweiss extract contains powerful free-radical scavengers, which bind the free