Staying Safe In The Summer Heat with Peoples RX

With Memorial Day flags still waving in the sunlit wind and kids out and about at all hours, Summer is officially here! As Austinites, we know that means staying outside until we can’t stand it any longer. Swimming in pools, lakes, and the iconic Barton Springs, paddleboarding on Lady Bird Lake and spraying your kids with the hose, like the good old days. The more time spent outside in the Austin heat, the more prepared you have to be to protect yourself and your family from the harsh sun.

Sunscreen and Sunblock: The most obvious and important thing to consider before jumping into outdoor activities (or even artificial light) is to use good sunscreen or sunblock. Chemical sunscreens are applied to the skin and absorb ultraviolet rays from the sun. The active ingredients in chemical sunscreens include avobenzone, octinoxate, and oxybenzone. Physical sunblock remains on top of the skin and reflects the sun’s rays. The active ingredients in sunblock include titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. Use sunblock if you have fair or sensitive skin or will be outside for long periods of time. If you prefer to limit your exposure to these chemicals, organic sunblock is the ideal choice as it contains only natural ingredients. When purchasing sunscreen, look for the following when examining the label:

– Broad spectrum protection from both UVA and UVB rays

– Paraben-free

– Fragrance-free

– Non-comedogenic (won’t clog your pores)

– Oil-free or moisturizing

– SPF of at least 30 or higher

You can trust that sun protection products sold at Peoples Rx are safe and effective! Some of People’s favorite brands include Thinksport, MyChelle, Keys, and All Good.

Oral Supplements: While sunscreen or sunblock is essential to protecting yourself from the sun’s harmful rays, there are additional ways to support the health of your skin. Oral supplements do not directly protect the skin from sun damage, but instead, complement the use of sun protection by increasing antioxidants in the body. Antioxidants are substances that can prevent or slow damage to cells caused by free radicals that the body produces as a reaction to sun exposure. Astaxanthin is a powerful antioxidant that has been shown in clinical studies to increase skin moisture retention and elasticity and has anti-aging properties. It also has significant UV-blocking properties, which help the skin protect itself against sun-related damage. Astaxanthin helps to neutralize multiple free radicals at once, protecting your skin and body from oxidation, damage, and inflammation. You can find Astaxanthin from Pure Encapsulations at Peoples. Anti-aging? Sign me up….

Bug Repellent: Everything’s bigger in Texas! Including the bugs…Try a rub-on bug repellent (for easy airline travel) like the Badger Anti-Bug Balm or Acure Baby Bug Balm Stick. If you have already been bitten, Redicare Spray Therapy helps relieve itching from bug bites and outdoor allergies. Ugh, those red ants are no joke, and nothing gives relief like Redicare.

Essential Oils: My holy GRAIL! These are very convenient and potent companions on short road trips or even long journeys. Perfect for air travel too, since they’re already under 3.4 oz. travel rule for liquids! These oils are extremely concentrated, with beneficial properties that can support the immune system, sleep and even help heal cuts or burns. A few Peoples recommended essential oils are:

• Thieves oil from Young Living,  a blend of essential oil of lemon, clove, eucalyptus, rosemary, and cinnamon. It contains potent antimicrobial properties and has anti-parasitic and antibacterial qualities. The lemon is also cleansing to the body and can help support lymph drainage.
• Lavender oil from Doterra or Young Living is very relaxing and can help quickly support burns or cuts. This soothing blend is very calming to the nervous system and can help promote a good night’s sleep.
• Melaleuca (Tea Tree Oil) from Doterra or Young Living can help disinfect cuts and scrapes that happen along the way.

Body Care: For the glamping (a.k.a. “glamorous camping”) crowd and all-day beachgoers, pack a good natural deodorant such as the Primal Pit Paste, which has clean ingredients and comes in a variety of scents, or try the travel-size deodorant from Rooted Athlete Products which is handmade, coconut oil based and non-toxic. Acure’s Fragrance-Free Argan Oil Cleansing Towelettes are easy and nice for the face and body and don’t forget a great lip product like the Vitamin E Sticks from Reviva Labs. For the all-natural ladies who still want to glow a little!

Electrolytes: NOBODY wants to leave their vacay early…Preventing heat stroke is about setting your body up for success. Peoples’ favorite balanced electrolyte products include the Elete electrolyte drops, Nuun tablets, and Ultima drink mix. If you don’t like mixing electrolytes in your water, we recommend Trace Mineral Electrolyte Stamina.

A little planning can go a long way when it comes to enjoying your summer activities and with our favorite essentials list, we will have you summer-ready in no time. Peoples has YOUR back this summer! Without all the harsh chemicals and unnecessary pollutants. My kind of place.