Do Summer Naturally!

Sunny summer skies and evening campfires mean it’s the time of year to talk about natural alternatives to stay safe outdoors. As information is surfacing, it’s becoming more and more mainstream to look for natural alternatives to sunscreen and bug spray. If that’s what you’re looking for, stop by the shop, we would love to show you and talk all about our safe and natural methods to keep yourself safely bug and sunburnt free!

Conventional sunscreens may contain chemical fillers and ingredients that can cause not only skin irritations but even hormone disruption. Zinc and titanium oxide provide a mineral alternative to UVA protection. Sometimes people question the safety of these ingredients, but they only become dangerous when aerosolized, like most things aerosol! Check out zinc oxide’s rating on EWG’s skin care database to see for yourself!  While many of us enjoy a little “golden glow” and the vitamin D we get from the sun, no one enjoys a sunburn! Sunscreen & blocks are important but don’t rely just on them! Try to avoid those peak period times of the day, find or make shade, wear a hat & sunglasses and check the UV rating.

Bug spray is another important one to switch over from the conventional stuff. If you weren’t already aware, the active ingredient in bug spray is deet which is very literally a pesticide. It certainly poisons the mosquitoes but all the while absorbing into your skin and body. We feel incredibly passionate about oil-based alternatives to repelling the bugs! Luckily bugs hate lemon, citronella, eucalyptus, and many other entirely natural oils!  No bug repellent (even those with Deet) are 100% effective so take precautions.  Wear long pants/sleeves, socks/shoes, especially when going into woodsy areas.  For infants be sure to add netting to strollers and carriers.

DEET is a registered pesticide. DEET is short for N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (also known as N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide). It is a member of the toluene chemical family. Toluene is an organic solvent used in rubber and plastic cements and paint removers. DEET is absorbed through the skin and passes into the blood.

There are many controversial reports about the effectiveness of these natural alternatives, but personally I feel when comparing to a conventional product and the potential health risks those ingredients may offer, I am going with the natural choice.

Summer is short for us Winnipeggers so let’s enjoy it, safely and naturally!