Sunburn care

What should I know about sunburn care?

Over the past twenty years the correlation between sunburn and skin cancer has grown exponentially. Speculation about the causes includes thinning of the ozone layer, greater sun exposure, and even whether the sunscreening agents we apply play a role.

Human immune cells, particularly the macrophages, when activated seek to destroy tumor cells and other foreign hostile matters, such as free radicals, in the blood and tissue. The foundation cells of the immune cascade, activated macrophages are crucial in the body’s ability to heal wounds and produce the ground substances of normal tissue. They support the skin’s natural production of epidermal growth factor (EGF), which in turn increases the production of collagen and elastin. Activated macrophages are thus vital in meeting the challenges of over-exposure to sun. Chemical sunscreens may suppress the production of EGF, so even without actually burning the skin, it may be necessary for us to supplement with immune-supporting ingredients.

Polysaccharides such as glucans and mannans activate the surface receptors of macrophages. Beta-1,3-glucan (also known as sodium carboxymethyl beta-glucan) stimulates the immune system response of the Langerhans cells, activating the macrophage that seeks and destroys free radicals and other foreign hostile matters to the skin. Aloe vera, a mannoprotein, also exhibits a high affinity to specific receptors on both macrophages and fibroblasts.

A successful combination of these two chemistries can have significantly beneficial results — in the short term for supporting healing of sunburn, abrasions and wounds, and in the long term for overall skin health, youthfulness, and immune-strengthening to prevent skin cancer.

There have been over 1,000 scientific studies on beta glucan and its immune activating properties. Beta-glucan, a polysaccharide derived from the cell walls of yeast and composed of glucose molecules, and aloe vera create a powerful sunburn treatment.

What to do for a sunburn?

As soon as possible after overexposure to the sun, shower or bathe (with the coolest water tolerable) to remove sunscreen, salt, and dirt from the skin. Then apply a lotion or gel containing aloe vera and beta glucan. This will soothe the burn and support the skin’s natural ability to heal itself. Double your normal intake of fresh water until the sunburn subsides.

What to look (out) for in your aloe/beta-glucan lotion or gel?

DO NOT use lotions that contain any of the following: propylene glycol, mineral oil, parabens, menthol, artificial colors or fragrances, essential oils. Heavy, occlusive oils should be avoided: castor oil, coconut oil, olive oil, etc.

Jojoba oil is beneficial in small amounts, primarily because of its Vitamin E content. Vitamin E is helpful in wound healing and scar prevention, but Vitamin E oil by itself is too heavy to apply to a burn. Jojoba is a wax ester that closely matches the skin’s natural sebum, does not form a barrier on the surface of the skin, and in small amounts combined with aloe vera and beta-glucan can soothe the burn and keep it from drying out.

What product should be applied to the burn?

A necessary addition to any medicine chest, NovAurora Repairing & Toning Lotion meets all of the above criteria. When applied to a sunburn as soon as possible after over-exposure, it will prevent any peeling, relieve the pain and reduce the redness almost immediately. It is available in natural products retailers in the Rocky Mountain Region and online (http://www.skincarebyNovAurora.com).

What does Natural really mean?

At NovAurora we take a much broader stance than simply to say ‘Natural.” All of our ingredients are plant-based (botanicals) — no animal, mineral or petroleum ingredients or by-products. [Mineral-based make-up is the newest thing, but there are some concerns whether these nano-particles may have some of the same effects as asbestos, ending up in the lung tissue. The same with nano-sized titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. There is more testing needed before they are proven safe.]
We also believe skin and body care should support the body’s natural, healthy functions. Since the skin is a membrane that allows us to eliminate toxins while respiring water, we believe we should put nothing on the skin that occludes that exit. Thus, heavy oils and waxes that soften the skin by holding the water in are actually inhibiting the skin’s healthy function. So we leave out “natural” ingredients that form an occlusive layer over the skin, like coconut oils or beeswax (also an animal-derived ingredient). There are long lists of these ingredients: just Google “Occlusivity.”
Of course we also want to avoid “natural” ingredients that are comedogenic, or pore-clogging, as they cause blackheads and other skin challenges.
It’s important to avoid all of the endocrine-disrupters, most of which are also not botanical: parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, glycols and sulfates. (Some propylene glycol, e.g., is actually plant-based, so it’s important to look beyond the common names to see the chemical, or INCI, names on ingredient lists.)
Finally, it’s important to look for skin care that actually nourishes the skin and helps it to look and feel good. Otherwise, why use it?
We invite you to read more about this in the articles listed on our website: http://www.skincarebyNovAurora.com
We’ve done extensive research into the question of “Natural,” and are very proud of the standards we’ve set.

Visit the Denver Green Festival May 2-3.

This is the first time the Green Festival, which I believe began in San Francisco, will come to Denver. This is where eco-conscious companies of all kinds come together to share their work and their wares with the awakening public. Many Boulder companies will be there, and friends from other states have called to tell me they’re exhibiting there, too. There are so far over 200 exhibitors, and 20,000 people are expected to attend. If you’re looking for free tickets, be sure to call me soon, as we have 20 to give away.

Thank you to all the visitors to the Green Festival Booth. It was wonderful to know there are so many people who already know and love NovAurora!

We’re Blogging!

Just getting started in this new sphere. Visit us at http://www.skincarebynovaurora.com.

Hello world!

Welcome to Skin Care by NovAurora. This is our first post. We invite you to join us on a journey of discovery about healthy living, especially but not exclusively as it relates to skin care. We believe it’s vitally important to consciously review the toxicity in our lives, with the goal of reducing and eventually eliminating it! Not just for ourselves, but for our children and grandchildren and the wildlife that lives downstream from us.

Whenever I feel tempted to use up an old bottle of skin cream that contains propylene glycol rather than toss it (in a sustainable way), I think about that endocrine disruptor rinsing off my legs in the shower, heading into our wastewater stream, not getting filtered out at the wastewater treatment plant, then flowing into the North Platte River and altering the reproductive urges of the river otters living there. Don’t Do It, my conscience screams!

Hopefully I can help zillions of others to make choices that are good for ourselves and our human and wild neighbors on the earth. Come, join me!!