You've Been Misled, The Sun IS Good For You (But You Must Know This)
We’ve been told that the sun is bad for us, and that it’s best to avoid it—but that’s actually not true. Avoiding the sun completely isn’t good for our health.
Think about it… how could something that gives life to every living thing on Earth be harmful to us? Really—think about that one.
The sun gives us vitamin D, which is absolutely essential for our health. We need it for:
strong bones
a healthy immune system
mood regulation
preventing depression
and even preventing chronic diseases
Sunlight also supports our mental and emotional health by triggering the release of serotonin, our natural “feel-good” hormone. This is why we often feel happier, more energized, and more alive when we’ve spent some time in the sun.
So yeah—the sun is actually really good for us.
But here’s the thing:
Too much of it is the problem. So it’s all about being smart with your sun exposure.
The goal is to get some sun on your skin daily—ideally anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on your skin’s tolerance (everyone’s different), where you live, and the time of year.
If you’re not use to regular sun exposure, make sure to start with just a few minutes at a time to test your tolerance, and slowly increase your exposure over time. Everyone’s skin reacts differently, so it’s important to listen to your body and avoid burning.
If you’re going to be out in the sun for longer than 30 minutes, it’s important to protect yourself.
I recommend covering up with a hat and light clothing, or using a natural, mineral-based sunscreen and avoiding conventional sunscreen brands–they contain toxic chemicals that absorb through the skin and go directly into your bloodstream. That’s not something you want in your body!
Natural based sunscreens use natural minerals titanium Dioxide or Zinc Oxide, while chemical based sunscreens (that you want to avoid) use Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Homosalate, Avobenzone, Octocrylene, and Meradimate (Menthyl anthranilate).
But it's important to know that some sunscreens will advertise that they use the natural minerals, but when you look at the ingredients, they also use the chemical based sun blockers too. So make sure to do your research and check ingredient lists!
What about the sun and aging?
Now, I know some people worry about the sun aging their skin or causing damage. But here’s what you need to know:
If you’re eating healthy whole foods and living a healthy lifestyle, your body is getting the nutrients it needs from healthy foods to protect your skin from the inside out.
Nutrients like vitamin E, vitamin C, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants from whole foods actually help protect your skin against the sun’s damaging rays, while being able to get the health benefits we need. Nature is so smart, it put the protection right into our food!
I’m a sun lover—I spend lots of time outdoors when it’s warm and sunny. Over the years, I’ve built a strong sun tolerance and I can be out for a good hour without burning. I eat a very nutrient-rich, anti-inflammatory diet, so my skin is well protected through my diet.
And I’ll add this: I’m 33 years old. I’ve never done Botox, fillers, or any kind of skin or beauty treatment. And my skin has never looked better. I get regular sun exposure when ever I can in the summer and on vacations, and I notice how much it improves my skin. The key is though, I don't over do it!
I have even stayed out in the sun longer than I should have (by accident), and I didn’t burn — something that would have happened in the past. I’m not saying you should do that, but I’m just showing you how eating & living healthy really can protect your skin.
But here’s the thing…
If your diet is high in inflammatory foods like refined sugar, white flour, processed junk, and you drink alcohol often—you’re not going to have as good internal protection. That kind of diet makes your body more vulnerable to sun damage, and you’ll likely burn more easily. People should be less worried about the sun and more focused on eating healthier—that's the real issue here!!
So if that’s you, be more cautious with your sun exposure. Limit it to 10-20 minutes of exposure max. Cover up more often, don’t overdo it, and work on getting more whole, nutrient-dense foods into your diet so you can build your skin’s natural protection over time.
