Responsible vs. Irresponsible Sun Exposure (HINT: It’s NOT just about SPF)

First of all: stop fearing the sun.
Whatever pale, unhealthy, steak-deficient dermatologist started that trend needs some sunshine, a grass-fed ribeye, and a reality check.

Is sun damage real? Yes.
Can the sun age your skin? Absolutely — if you’re irresponsible about your exposure. But that doesn’t mean the sun is the enemy. It means we need to return to common sense.

Let’s break it all down — starting with the biggest lie we’ve been sold: SPF.

🚫 SPF Is Not Your Savior

If you're slathering on drugstore sunscreen every day like it's holy water — thinking it’s protecting you from premature aging, sun spots, and cancer — you’ve been duped.

Most conventional SPFs are filled with toxic ingredients like:

x Oxybenzone

x Octinoxate

x Avobenzone

x Homosalate

x Octocrylene

These chemicals aren’t just sitting on your skin — they’re absorbed directly into your bloodstream. Multiple studies have shown elevated blood levels of these ingredients long after application. They're known endocrine disruptors, meaning they can mess with your hormones, impact fertility, and yes — even increase your risk of cancer.
Oh, the irony.

Not to mention they clog pores, cause breakouts, and make your skin more sensitive to the sun in the long run. It’s no coincidence that SPF obsession correlates with more sunburns and more skin issues.

☀️ So... Should You Just Bake in the Sun All Day?

Also no.

This isn’t about ditching sun protection — it’s about rethinking what responsible exposure looks like. The sun isn’t the villain. Your habits might be.

Let’s look at how our ancestors handled it:
They didn’t slather on Banana Boat or hide from the sun 24/7.
They worked with the sun — hunting and gathering in the morning, seeking shade during peak hours, and moving again in the evening.

Even just a few generations ago — think 1950s beach days — people laid out in the sun, got beautifully tan, and didn’t have an epidemic of sun damage. Why? Because their diets were cleaner, seed oils weren’t everywhere, and they weren’t layering chemical cocktails onto their skin daily.

🔥 How to Be Sun Smart — Without the BS

Let’s bring some common sense back:

1. Build a base tan.
If you’re fair like me (hi, Irish skin 👋), start slow. 10–20 minutes a day is enough to build melanin naturally — your body’s built-in sun protection.

2. Avoid peak UV hours.
Use a UV index app. If it’s 8+, limit your exposure. Tan in the morning or late afternoon, not during the blazing midday window.

3. Don’t bake.
This is where sun becomes aging. Laying out for hours straight = roasted skin = premature lines and leathery texture.
Even with a base tan, 30 mins per side max is plenty.

4. If you’re going to be out all day (surfing, hiking, vacay mode):

• Use a non-toxic mineral SPF (I’ll link my favorites below).

• Wear a hat.

• Take breaks and get shade.

• Cover up when you can.
  

5. Clean up your diet.
This is your secret weapon.
Seed oils = oxidative stress = sun damage.
Stop eating processed oils, sugar, and junk. Eat real, whole foods — and your skin will become far more resilient in the sun.

🌿 The Bottom Line

The sun is essential. It boosts your mood, metabolism, and vitamin D levels. It’s not about avoiding it — it’s about respecting it. Build your exposure, support your skin internally, and stop putting your trust in toxic chemical SPFs that are causing more harm than good.

Rethink your SPF. Rethink your sun strategy.
Let’s be intentional — not afraid.

☀️ Linked below: My favorite non-toxic SPF recs (And no, none of them include hormone-disrupting chemicals.)

HEALTHY SPF