Go get some sunshine!

This week I want to dismiss fallacies about the sun, sunscreen and sun exposure.

We need exposure to the sun so our bodies can synthesize Vitamin D.  Minimal exposure over time will build a base to our skin to protect it for later in the summer when the sun is the strongest and we are generally exposed for longer periods of time naturally.

Start with 5-10 minutes of exposure on as much skin as you are willing to expose.  No sunscreen.  Between the hours of 10a- 2p.  Don't let yourself get pink.  Michael Holick's "The Vitamin D Solution" is great read for more on this and includes charts to help you determine your optimal exposure per your skin type.  http://drholick.com/ 

That said I always wear sunscreen on my face.  It's in my day cream and part of my routine.  Wake, brush teeth, wash face, moisturize (with sunscreen).

This isn't sun bathing for hours, ever.  As with everything related to wellness, we need to make conscious choices, better choices, daily.