SOLAR

Description

Sun is essential; our goal is to help you get as much of it as possible, as safely and healthfully as possible.

The truth is, much of what we have learned about the Sun’s effect on our skin has been distorted, from vested interest, physiologically bankrupt research, and marketing. Bad “science” and Sun-shaming has to lead to a pandemic fear of the Sun, which has caused more harm than good.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, in the past decade (2011 – 2021), the number of new invasive melanoma cases diagnosed annually increased by 44 percent. But interestingly enough, sunscreen was invented in 1938, and scientific data shows a steady increase in melanoma rates since 1930. 1, 2

Clearly, conventional “sunblock” hasn’t helped us much in warding off melanoma and skin cancer as much as we had hoped it would. The reason?

There are many reasons as to why, but here a few of the really important ones…

• sunscreen ingredients matter
• diet 
• metabolic health
• stress levels
• sun exposure
• genetic inheritance

One of the initial problems with most sunblock is their ingredients. Big box store sunblocks that have been around since the late 1930s often contain petrochemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate. In fact, there are at least 9, of the 15 commonly used chemicals in commercial sunscreens that are known to be endocrine disruptors. These synthetic oil-based ingredients are not only highly reactive to sunlight, which in result produces harmful free radicals that can lead to cancer, but they also interfere with normal endocrine function. Disturbed endocrine glands can lead to hormonal imbalances, which can lead to cancer. For example, some of the endocrine disruptors found in commercial sunscreen can cause estrogen dominance, alongside progesterone and thyroid hormone deficiencies. This arrangement of hormonal imbalances can actually lead to an increased risk of skin cancer, as well as abnormal fetal and child development, large breast in small girls, or small testicles in growing boys, low sperm counts/infertility, and other forms of cancer such as breast, ovarian, and prostate cancer. 3

Although the petrochemical containing sunblocks may provide SPF protection, what was failed to be mentioned was the damaging effects of the unstable, volatile oils and other chemicals used to make them. Applying these types of sunblocks to your skin is highly counter-productive. They can increase the risk of lipid peroxidation in your skin, quite literally frying your skin cells in the sun, but also cause hormonal imbalances that may promote the metabolic states that lead to cancer. Not to mention, there is zero research that shows the chemical ultraviolet blockers are even safe or effective for protecting your body from the most deadly form of skin cancer, melanoma.

In addition to the use of toxic ingredients in commercial sunblock, little research is shared amongst large corporations that sell it, about the correlation between diet and skin cancer. The fact of the matter is, most of the damage caused by the sun’s rays is due to interactions between unsaturated fats in the skin tissue. These accumulate for three major reasons: as breakdown products from metabolic stress, the consumption of polyunsaturated fats and unhealthy oils, and applying them to the skin (this includes the use of sunblocks with petroleum and even “healthy” sunscreens containing PUFAs).

The SOLAR Difference – Our Ingredients

SOLAR is not only free of any petrochemicals but is entirely free of toxic, highly reactive oils and fatty acids (including polyunsaturated fatty acids or PUFAs). Instead, we use protective, organic saturated fats, locally harvested organic beeswax and then enrich it with non-nano zinc oxide and UPS-grade caffeine.

Caffeine: There is some interesting research that has been done on the combination of topical caffeine and vitamin b3 or niacinamide. This article alone has inspired us to use caffeine in a few of our products, including SOLAR. The study shows that the combination of these works as a sunscreen, preventing UV-induced inflammation and oxidative stress. We suggest trying a few droppers of our Mane Stay on very sunny days applied to the scalp and SOLAR for areas of the body with minimal to no hair. 4

Non-Nano Zinc Oxide: Zinc is a metal, rock-like mineral that is commonly used in both conventional and natural sunblocks. It is often one of the only safe ingredients used in conventional sunscreen. However, not all zinc oxide is created equally. Large corporations have a track record for using the cheapest, lowest quality ingredients to reduce their bottom end and save money. When it comes to zinc oxide, you will want to find a product that uses non-nano zinc oxide. Nano zinc oxide can be problematic since it is much smaller in size and might be absorbed transdermally. Non-nano zinc oxide, which is ground from zinc-rich rocks, is larger in size and is an opaque reflective substance that remains mostly on the surface of the skin, making it effective for blocking both UVA and UVB light without the damaging effects. Nano zinc or titanium oxide is more likely to be absorbed with oils into the skin, where they could be made toxic by interaction with ultraviolet rays. 5

Tamanu Butter: Tamanu butter is made from the saturated-fat-rich oil from the nuts of Calophyllum inophyllum, locally called “Tamanu oil”. In French Polynesia, Tamanu oil was traditionally used for wound healing and to treat various skin problems. Today, modern research has been done to evaluate the skin-active effects of “Tamanu oil” on human skin cells. The experiments showed that Tamanu oil promoted skin cell proliferation, glycosaminoglycan, collagen production, and wound healing activity. In addition to the protective saturated fats, there is a presence of neoflavonoids, which are bioactive constituents that may be responsible for these skin-promoting biological activities. Although Tamanu oil does not have any direct UV-protective effects, it acts as a safe, and protective base for SOLAR’s UV-protective ingredients. Additionally, its regenerative skin effects may make it a useful post-sun exposure remedy. 6

Organic Coconut Oil: According to research, it has been found that topical coconut oil protects the skin from UV radiation. According to the research, the expression of inflammatory profile was lower in the coconut oil-treated group after exposure to UVB radiation. In addition to its UV-protective and anti-inflammatory effects, coconut oil also exerts antioxidant effects on the skin, promotes wound healing and repair of skin barrier. 7

Other ingredients: organic locally harvested beeswax, organic whole vanilla beans.

Size: 2.6 oz

How To Use

To use SOLAR, gently twist-up about 1/16th of an inch of product at a time and glide across the skin’s surface before Sun exposure. SOLAR is safe for children.

Make sure you do not open SOLAR it was left in the heat as it may have melted. Be sure to let it cool at room temperature (70 degrees Fahrenheit) for a few hours first, or place it into the fridge for 10-30 minutes to resolidify.

For best results and maximum protection, pair SOLAR with a pro-metabolic diet that is free of, or greatly reduces the consumption of polyunsaturated fats.

To learn more, be sure to read these blog posts:

Caffeine is a Natural Sunscreen

Toxic Effects of Sunblock