It is definitely time to get the sunscreen out, but with so many chemical and not-so-natural versions on the market it can be very difficult to choose one that is safe.  In the past natural sunscreen product manufacturers used zinc oxide to provide UV protection.  And though it is safe and effective, it leaves behind that ghostly white skin we all wish to avoid.  So the next scientific breakthrough was the use of nanotechnology, the creation of incredibly small particles — measured in nanometers (nm), or one-billionth of a meter. This took care of the white film, but recent evidence shows that these nanoparticles may pose risks to the environment.  Not a great trade-off.

Not to despair, there are some terrific sunscreen products on the market that are safe, effective, free from nanos and leave your skin, well – skin colored.  Vivesana is a new product line that presents major breakthroughs in organic sun care.  The products are free from harmful synthetic ingredients, nanoparticles and even water, providing a stronger sun product.

Vivesana (which means “live healthy” in Italian) products are at least 40 SPF, hypoallergenic, packaged in BPA-free containers and boast the highest organic content of any sun care products on the market.  Those at Vivesana take your health and sun protection very seriously.

The line includes three sun care products:

• Solar to Polar Ultra – Chock full of hydrating botanicals (jojoba and apricot) and powerful antioxidants (green tea and raspberry seed) this sunscreen provides 40 SPF and really stays put.  $29
• Solar to Polar Baby – SPF 42 to protect the most delicate skin Solar to Polar Baby is gentle and safe enough for little ones, but provides the strongest protection.  $32
• Dopo Elements – Dopo (meaning “after”) is for, you guessed it, after your day in the sun, water and dry air.  Jojoba, olive and avocado oils help to re-hydrate and nourish parched skin, while green tea extract gives it a healthy boost of antioxidants.  Coming soon.

Want to try Vivesana sun care products?  Use code orgbeauty&vive25 at www.vivesana.com and receive a 25% discount.

Image credit:  Vivesana

People seem to be jumping off the soy boat as quickly as they jumped on as more research is revealed on this once thought super food.

We all know of soy’s good attributes; contains significant amounts of essential amino acids, omega-6 fatty acids, may have a protective effect on the brain and cardiovascular system and is a good source of protein.

The flip side of this coin is that soy is also rich in isoflavones, called genistein and daidzein, which are potent phytoestrogens.  Phytoestrogens, sometimes called “dietary estrogens”, are naturally occurring non steroidal plant compounds which can have estrogenic effects on the body.  Because of this, women with breast cancer or a history of the disease should be aware of the risks associated with the use of soy.

Another good reason to take another look at soy is its potentially harmful effects to our gastrointestinal system.  Soy is hard to digest which can cause gas, bloating and other gastro-related issues. 

Soybean oil is widely used as an emollient and emulsifier in cosmetics, to make the product moisturizing and keep ingredients from separating.  Soy also contains natural antioxidants, beneficial in ridding the body of free radicals.

While soy can be beneficial, until further research is done, it would be wise to use products containing soy sparingly.  For dietary use, stick to soy that is in its less processed form, like miso, tempeh or tofu.  And make note, it is very important to be sure that the soy you are using, whether by diet or skin care, is organic, GMO-free and minimally processed.