made in the shade.(skin protection from the sun and harmful ingredients in sunscreens)

protect your skin -- naturally -- this summer

With summer just about to begin, most people are looking forward to outdoor graduations, back yard barbecues and weekend trips to the beach. We can finally say goodbye to our woolens and hello to swimsuits and shorts! You may long to feel the sun on your skin again after spending months in turtlenecks and long underwear, but your skin needs more protection during the the summer months than ever, In fact, if you're not careful, you may be inviting a deadly disease to your summertime festivities.

At one time, possessing a golden tan was an indication of youth and vibrant health. People slathered their skin with exotic tropical oils and flocked to find a place in the sun and get the perfect tan. But then came the alarm: too much sun could lead to skin cancer. In response to this threat, a slew of sun products designed to block or screen the sun's rays soon came into fashion.

So, in order to protect yourself from the harmful rays of the sun, all you have to do is make sure that you're armed with a sunscreen, right? Well, not entirely. The good news is that sunscreens can offer some protection from the sun's harmful rays. The bad news is that they may not offer as much protection as once thought and their very ingredients can be hazardous to your health.

Light can be heavy

Ultraviolet light (UV) is categorized into three types, classified according to wavelength and measured in nanometers (nm). UVC waves measure between 290 and 200 nm and are the most dangerous, causing critical damage even after short exposure. Fortunately, atmospheric gases absorb UVC rays before reaching the surface of the earth.

UVB waves measure between 320 and 290 nm and are termed the "burning rays." These are the rays that affect the uppermost layer of skin in the form of sunburn. They also are responsible for damaging DNA and causing free radical damage and cell mutation.