1. 5074 Highway 69 North, Hanmer, Ontario P3P 1B9
Tel. 705.969.0043 • Fax. 705.969.9681www.ezentials.ca
Safe Summer Skin
By Lee-Ann Carrière, RHN, NNCP
The weather is warming up and it’s time to replenish sun and bug products! Did you know that some popular commercial
formulas contain hormone disruptors and neurotoxins? Remember that all substances that go on the skin enter the
bloodstream and pass through the liver. Learn more about safer natural alternatives to sunscreens and bug sprays for
you and your family.
Safer Sun Protection
The sun is back with its radiant splendour and it’s time to think about our skin and safe ways to maintain its health
while enjoying the warm rays of summer. Have you ever given thought to some of the ingredients in popular commercial
sunscreen and sunblocks? Remember that all substances we put on our skin enter directly into our bloodstream and
pass to the liver. Depending on the type of product and its ingredients, this is can be more dangerous than ingestion!
Oxybenzone, found in 80% of sunscreens, has been linked to hormonal disruptions leading to reproductive issues,
especially in females. Retinyl palmitate, a form of vitamin A or retinol, has also been found to have adverse reactions
when exposed to sunlight, some of which include the possible acceleration of cancerous tumour growth and causing
damage to DNA.
Fortunately, there are safer natural alternatives to harsh chemical sunblocks. Look for formulas that contain zinc oxide
as an alternative to the questionable chemical UVA and UVB blockers and absorbers. Come by Ezentials and see our
selection of Eminence, Green Beaver, and Badger sun products for everyone from baby to adult and for all your coverage
needs from body to face and lips. We also carry Nature’s Aid to help soothe burns and bug bites.
Beat the Bugs, Naturally
Spending more time outdoors doesn’t have to be a pain. For natural alternatives to bug sprays, Ezentials carries
formulas which contain essential oils which are effective and non-toxic.
Why should you choose botanically-based bug repellents? If your family is used to using bug sprays containing DEET,
you may find that the natural bug repellents require more frequent application however the trade-off could be very
worthwhile. DEET, although effective against mosquitoes and flies for longer periods of time, is a neurotoxin, which
means that it is damaging to the central nervous system. Additionally, the risk of toxicity in small children is even greater
than adults because of their body’s smaller capacity to carry a toxic load.
But have no fear, safe natural sun products and bug sprays are here at Ezentials. Just ask any of the Health Boutique
staff to help you choose the best formulas for you.
Enjoy the increasingly warm weather and see you soon!
Lee-Ann Carrière is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist and Natural Nutrition Clinical Practitioner at Ezentials. For more
information about her nutrition consulting services, please call 705.969.0043.