Ok, so I know it’s almost August and I’m just getting around to sharing my favorite Summer Safe Swaps, but better late than never, right?! If you’re new around here, I did an entire safe swap series where I shared why you should care about making safe swaps and also where to start. I then went room by room and gave my favorite safe and affordable swaps. So I’m here to share my favorite summer safe swaps now!
Changing out the products in my home has been a long process. It’s not something I did all at once, but something that has happened slowly over the course of a few years. Back in February when we did our Safe Swap Challenge, I encouraged you all to start slow and we went room by room. I encouraged you to make one safe swap per room to start.
Well, the same applies here! Don’t feel like you need to make all of these at once. Go at your own pace! You don’t need to throw everything away immediately (or you could if you want to). You can replace things as you run out of them with safer options. Our goal is never to overwhelm you, but to be a resource and make things feel doable and affordable.
Summer Safe Swaps – Sunscreen
So most of these safe swaps have to do with bugs and sun! I’ve linked up a few of my favorite sun screen options. It’s important to understand that there are two types of sunscreens. Chemical sunscreens are absorbed into the skin, absorb the sun’s rays, convert them and they are released back out. Mineral sunscreens or sunblock sit on the top of the skin and reflect the rays away.
The Journal of the American Medical Association published a study that looked at the absorption of sunscreen ingredients into the body. I have linked the article if you’d like to read the entire thing, but in short, they found that within 24 hours of applying a chemical sunscreen (specifically those with avobenzone), the active chemical ingredient was found in the bloodstream. I think there is the misconception that what we put on our skin stays there. This study proves that what we put on our skin does get into our bodies.
Summer Safe Swaps – Bug Spray
I’ve also linked a few of my favorite bug spray alternatives. Everyone hates bug and mosquito bites! My welts can get to be the size of a dime or even quarter at times. It’s awful. I have found a few bug sprays that I find really work! They contain a blend of effective essential oils and leave out all of the harmful junk that can be absorbed into your skin.
Summer Safe Swaps – Misc.
The last two items I listed are my favorite leave-in conditioner and topical colloidal silver. With all of the swimming we do in the summer, this leave-in conditioner is a life saver when it comes to brushing through my thick hair. Lastly, this topical colloidal silver is like a magic gel! Seriously. I put it on bug bites, burns, cuts, everything! It has anti-bacterial properties and helps to fight infection. It also helps reduce itching and burning. It’s amazing stuff and we always have some around. Especially in the summer when cuts and bites are happening more often!
I’m sure I’m missing quite a few things that I’ll think of later, but these are our summer staples. I’m happy to answer questions – feel free to email us ([email protected]) or reach out on social media! We hope you enjoy your last month of summer. It’s kind of crazy to think how fast it has gone by!
