When I think of summer my mind goes back to my teenage years. My friends and I would sneak out to go to beach parties and then spend the next day sleeping on the beach to recover. I would end up extremely burnt with a couple of hundred more freckles.
My idea of summer essentials back then was a six pack of West Coast Coolers. Oh how times have changed. These days I couldn’t live without a good quality, reef safe sunscreen, insect repellant, an after sun spray and some electrolytes to put back in the salts I sweat out on hot days. So in this blog post I’m giving you the low down on the must have products I recommend you have on hand this summer.
Plus as an added bonus there is a link at the bottom to my Summer Essentials DIY recipe book which has a whole heap of great Summer DIY recipes for you to try out.
#1 Sunscreen
I am so aware these days of the damage the sun can do to our skin and it’s not just skin cancer that I worry about. I look at the state of my skin these days due to being outdoors for many years without sunscreen. It makes me more aware of keeping my girls skin sun damage free.
However when I read articles about sunscreens actually being linked to cancer and causing all kinds of hormonal issues I worried about ding more harm than good.
Of the 1,400+ sunscreens tested by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), only 5% met their safety standards and over 40% were listed as potentially contributing to skin cancer.
What Are UVA and UVB?
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is part of the light spectrum that reaches the earth from the sun. Ultraviolet A (UVA) is the longer wave UV ray that causes lasting skin damage, skin aging, and can cause skin cancer. Ultraviolet B (UVB) is the shorter wave UV ray that causes sunburns, skin damage, and can cause skin cancer.
What Is SPF?
SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is a measure of a sunscreen’s ability to prevent UVB from damaging the skin. Broad-spectrum sunscreens (which are the ones you want) protect the skin from both UVA and UVB rays.
If it takes 20 minutes for your unprotected skin to start turning red, using an SPF 15 sunscreen theoretically prevents reddening 15 times longer – about five hours.
Chemical Sunscreens
Chemical sunscreens use one or more chemicals including oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate. ….
In the USA there are 17 individual sunscreen ingredients that are FDA approved: 15 of these are clear chemicals that absorb UV light and two are made of minerals that reflect UV light. Of these 15, 9 are known endocrine disruptors.
This new research by the EWG reveals that the chemicals commonly used in sunscreen are oestrogenic and may interfere with thyroid and other hormone processes in the body.
In fact, the most common sunscreen chemical, Oxybenzone, was found in 96% of the population by a recent study by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. This is especially alarming since oxybenzone is considered an endocrine disruptor, can reduce sperm count in men and may contribute to endometriosis in women.
If you can’t eat it, you shouldn’t put it on your skin. Your skin is a sponge and what you apply to your skin, gets into other tissue and bloodstream in the body. Chemicals disrupt hormones in both male and females and especially in children.
Mineral Sunscreens
Mineral sunscreens typically include ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which create a physical barrier to protect the skin from the sun. They sit on the surface of the skin and physically block UV light.
Young Living’s Mineral Sunscreen is:
- Made with ingredients you can feel good about
- Provides protection against UVA and UVB rays (Broad-spectrum).
- NO harsh chemical ingredients
- Naturally derived plant & mineral-based ingredients, incl non-nano zinc oxide—a physical UV blocker
- Non-greasy sunscreen offers broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection
- Lightweight formula goes on smooth (like a lotion) and without white residue
- Stays water and sweat resistant for 80 minutes
- Hypoallergenic ingredients and essential oils—such Helichrysum, Carrot Seed, and Sacred Frankincense
- Is Reef Safe.
#2 Spending time outdoors
Imagine a summer night in the backyard or on the verandah. While your children are running, playing, and discovering the world, you can sit back and enjoy the night annoyance-free with Young Living’s Outdoor Blend.
The Outdoor Blend’s powerful formula is a combination of essential oils such as Citronella and Lemongrass, known for their use outdoors. You can feel confident that you’re not exposing yourself or your family to harsh chemicals like DEET (diethyltoluamide).
In addition to a naturally derived formula, our Outdoor Blend offers a bright, citrusy aroma and applies smoothly to skin without leaving a sticky, greasy residue. Kids and adults alike will love knowing that their next adventure will be natural, comfortable and annoyance free.
Summer Outdoors Hacks!
Try wiping down your outdoor furniture with the Outdoor Blend to help fend off those pesky nuisances.
Or add 5 drops each of Citronella & Lemongrass, 2 drops each of Lime & Spearmint, to the new AromaGlobe Diffuser. The best thing about this diffuser is that you can charge it up and then once it is unplugged you can take it anywhere. It is great for the verandah or gazebo.
#3 Summer Bikini Challenge
Alright, I’ll be honest. I don’t wear bikinis and I don’t plan to ever again lol. BUT! For those of you who do, or if you just wanna rock the one-piece like me, let’s chat about a must have product for ladies of all ages.
It is the Cel-Lite-Magic massage oil. This is for all of us. It’s designed to improved the appearance of skin texture. Meaning no more cottage cheese legs, you know what I’m saying?
Use it for 30 days and you’ll be amazed at the difference. Make sure you take before and after photos to let your friends know.
One tip to enhance this magic massage oil is to throw an entire 15ml bottle of Grapefruit essential oil into it and shake it up! Grapefruit is incredible for all things that might be weighing you down 😉 and adding it to Cel-Lite-Magic will enhance the working power of this massage oil. Go ahead girl, rub that goodness all over!!! Google the benefits of Grapefruit essential oil to see how amazing it is and why I not only add it to Cel-Lite Magic massage oil but to my water bottle too.
#4 Recovering from too much sun
I mentioned earlier that most of my teenage years were spent as red as a tomato. I still burn very easily when I forget to slip, slop, slap. So I keep a bottle of Young Living’s LavaDerm™ After Sun Spray. This naturally derived after-sun spray offers a refreshing cooling sensation for your skin so your family can keep playing all day.
Using menthol from mint, this spray soothes and cools the skin. Plus, its moisturising qualities—from ingredients such as aloe, Lavender essential oil, and Helichrysum essential oil—also leave skin feeling soft and smooth instead of tacky or sticky.
With a vegan friendly formula and made without alcohol, synthetic fragrances, or synthetic colourants, LavaDerm™ After Sun Spray is ready for the whole family to use after the beach, a hike or after any outdoor playtime.
Shake & spray to bring soothing relief to your sunned skin!
Pro tip: Leave this in the fridge for an added cooling effect!
I also keep the Lavaderm Cooling Mist in the fridge too and use it when I’m feeling overly hot.
#5 Replenish Electrolytes
Sodium, calcium, potassium, chloride, phosphate, and magnesium are all electrolytes. You get them from the foods you eat and the fluids you drink. The levels of electrolytes in your body can become too low or too high. This can happen when the amount of water in your body changes.
In summer we often exercise more and sweat a lot. So it is important to stay hydrated to replenish electrolytes.
Staying hydrated has never tasted so good. YL Vytalyte™ Drops help you stay hydrated by replacing sugary drinks like soda or juice with water, without losing any of the flavour! Get the sugar monkey off your back and lean into healthy hydration with delicious Lavender Lemonade YL Vytalyte Drops or the Grapefruit Bergamot YL Vytalyte Drops.
Formulated with naturally occurring minerals from the Great Salt Lake and all-natural flavours, including Lavender and Lemon essential oils, a few drops in your water will keep you hydrated and feeling great!
#6 Natural Energy Drinks
Sadly, conventional energy drinks are filled with ingredients that are actually harmful to our health. Energy drinks are widely promoted as products that increase energy and enhance mental alertness and physical performance.
Energy drinks often contain high amounts of sugar. A single can of energy drink may contain 54 to 62 grams of added sugar; this exceeds the maximum amount of added sugars recommended for an entire day!
Overall energy drinks are associated with sugar crashes, energy slumps and caffeine withdrawal. Thankfully we have a natural, health-supporting option that works even better!
Zyng up your energy with a hydrating splash!
NingXia Zyng™ uses the same whole-fruit wolfberry puree found in our popular super-fruit drink, NingXia Red®. Young Living add sparkling water, pear and blackberry juices, and a hint of Lime and Black Pepper essential oils for a dynamic, unique taste. I love drinking Zyng on hot summer days.
With natural flavours and sweeteners, white tea extract, and added vitamins, NingXia Zyng delivers 35 mg of naturally occurring caffeine and only 35 calories per can, making it a sweet, guilt-free boost for your early morning, long afternoon, or anytime you need a little Zyng!
Swap NingXia Zyng for conventional carbonated soft drinks in your fridge. You won’t miss the afternoon soft drink craving!
#7 Let’s talk about summer hair!
If you’re like me, you don’t want to spend a lot of time styling your hair during the summer.
Between the heat & humidity, it can feel like a losing battle.
Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with an all-natural hair spray that will give you those summer mermaid locks!
Here’s what you need:
- 10 drops Rosemary Essential Oil
- 10 drops Lavender Essential Oil
- 10 drops Cedarwood Essential Oil
- 30mls Witch Hazel
- Distilled Water
- 120ml glass spray bottle
Add all the ingredients to the bottle. Shake well. & spritz onto wet hair.
Want more great DIY recipes to try out this Summer? Then download my latest E-Book DIY Summer Essentials Recipe Book.
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