Are you excited to have fun under the sun this summer? Naturopathic doctor and clear skin expert Dr. Jen Newell shares some really great insights and advice about taking care of our skin, what brands to choose and what to look for in a sunblock. It’s a really great conversation to have as we head into the summer months but also to have beautiful, clear, glowing skin all year round. Topics Discussed in this Episode: Why sun care is important The difference between UVA and UVB rays What the SPF number tells us What ingredients to look for and what ingredients to avoid How to treat sunburn What to do with hormonal acne What really happens to our skin and our hormones when we apply toxic products on our skin Clean beauty care and the clean beauty brands you should check out Caring for your skin from the inside out Customized cosmetic procedures Key Takeaways: Applying sunscreen is the best thing that we can do to reduce the signs of aging. About 90% of the signs of aging that we actually see on our skin is due to sun exposure since childhood. It’s important to consider not only the SPF but whether or not the sunscreen is broad spectrum Antioxidants amplify the benefits of your sunscreen and help undo some of the damage that’s been done to the cells. When zinc oxide or titanium dioxide is included in the ingredients of a product, then it has some degree of sun protection. A lot of the topical acne treatments that are available in drugstores actually have ingredients in them that prime the skin for more pimples later. The ingredients that are in cosmetics are becoming a women’s health issue because they affect hormones so strongly. Our skin is not a sponge. It’s a great barrier that’s meant and designed to block things from being absorbed. Unfortunately, synthetically-produced ingredients that are causing hormonal imbalances often act as accelerators and amplify the absorption of other ingredients. Action Steps: Wear at least SPF 15 sunscreen on a daily basis even when it’s cloudy. Use aloe vera on sunburns. Choose a moisturizer that contains antioxidants. Keep yourself hydrated. Use clean beauty products. Dr. Newell says: “Your skin is a great barometer of internal health.” “Eating every color of the rainbow is key.” Thanks for listening! Check out my six-week online program, CleanBeautyU, where I guide women through how to holistically and naturally take care of both the internal and external side of skin care. It’s currently on sale and you can start as soon as you sign up! As always, I would love to hear from you! Find me over on Instagram, @holisticwellnessfoodie, or come hang out with me in my Holistic Wellness Private Community on Facebook. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes and leave us a review so I know how you’re liking the podcast! Recommended brands and products: Alima Pure Satin Matte Foundation Bite Beauty Consonant Skincare COOLA Suncare Double Happiness Fitglow Beauty Graydon Skincare Province Apothecary Suntegrity Skincare Urban Minerals ZuZu Luxe   More from Dr. Jen Newell: Dr. Jen Newell’s Facebook Dr. Jen Newell’s Instagram Dr. Jen Newell’s Website More from Samantha Gladish: Samantha’s Facebook Samantha’s Instagram Samantha’s Website Holistic Wellness Private Community on Facebook