While you are out on the water having fun this weekend you are probably not putting a whole lot of thought into your skin. Jumping in and out of the water, swimming, tubing, waterskiing and wakeboarding are more prevalent on your mind than if you have reapplied your sun block. However, once that sunburn sets in you will be reminded that prevention would have been a better route to take. Lucky for you, we have put together a list of ways to avoid that sunburn and keep your skin healthy. Obviously, sun block and shade will help immensely, but there are other measures you can take before you are even on the water to prevent sun damage.
- Vitamin D – Your tolerance to the sun’s rays may increase if you take in more Vitamin D. Vitamin D is found in foods such as cheese, fatty fish like tuna and salmon, meats like salami and ham, and mushrooms. You can also get Vitamin D through oral supplements.
- Minerals – Sun rashes and photosensitivity can be caused by a deficiency in vital minerals such as zinc and magnesium. A good source of minerals can be found in whole grains, spinach, wheat bran, lima beans, pumpkin, and sunflower seeds.
- Astaxanthin – This compound is found in algae and the organisms that eat it like salmon and shrimp. Astaxanthin can be consumed or applied directly to the skin and has shown to be beneficial in preventing sunburn.
- Green Tea – A chemical found in green tea, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), is being revealed to prevent skin cancer. Not only is EGCG useful in preventing skin damage, it is being shown to reverse damage.
While in the sun for extended periods of time you should always protect with sun block and shade, but thinking ahead of time and preventing with natural alternatives may be a positive choice, too.
