I’m here today with two real life friends of mine, Kevin and Rachel, to dive into the conversation around sunscreen. Specifically myths, misconceptions, and what the data actually says. And in this episode, we dive into how this topic relates to and impacts the human body.
You probably know how much I love healthy, moderate sun exposure and natural light (definitely not pro sunburn though). The data is very clear that sun exposure has so many benefits, but sunburn is what causes damage. Kevin Gianni and Rachel share a melded perspective on the sunscreen conversation.
We talk about the ingredients in many sunscreens, especially conventional sunscreens and how these can be harmful to the body. What terms to actually look for if you do need sunscreen to show it’s going to work and be safe for the body and what data actually says on things like sunscreen and skin cancer. Plus we talk about vitamin D and so much more.
I love that I got to have a conversation with these two because Kevin is the co-founder and CEO of Annmarie Skincare, one of my favorite skincare brands. He and Rachel also founded a new company called Salt + Blue where they focus on safe sun care products. And while they’ve been dear friends, I love the attention and care they put into their products.
Episode Highlights with Salt + Blue
The fear messaging around the sun and around sunscreen
Common misconceptions about sunscreen and when it isn’t actually beneficial and can be harmful
Harmful ingredients found in many sunscreens
Chemical vs mineral sunscreen and how these impact the body differently
Why our culture has become so afraid of the sun and how we got here
Questioning the sunscreen prevents skin cancer narrative and what the data actually says
Why many sunscreens on the market aren’t actually broad spectrum and don’t block the damaging parts of UVA
What does broad spectrum mean in sunscreen and why to look for this
Physical sunscreen like zinc are naturally broad spectrum
What does the term waterproof on sunscreen actually mean
This podcast is brought to you by LMNT, and this is a company you might’ve heard me talk about before, and I really love their products because proper hydration leads to better sleep. It sharpens focus, it improves energy, and so much more. But hydration is not about just drinking water because being optimally hydrated, a state called euhydration is about optimizing your body’s fluid ratios. And this fluid balance depends on many factors, including the intake and excretion of electrolytes, which many people don’t get the right amounts of. Electrolytes are charged minerals that conduct electricity to power your nervous system. I talk a lot about nervous system on this podcast.
They also regulate hydration status by balancing fluids inside and outside of our cells. LMNT was created with a science-backed electrolyte ratio of 100 milligrams of sodium, 200 milligrams of potassium, and 60 milligrams of magnesium with no sugar. Since electrolytes are a key component of hydration, here’s what happens when we get our electrolytes dialed in.
We have more steady energy, improved cognitive function, suffer fewer headaches and muscle cramps, we can perform better for longer, and especially the support fasting or low carb diet because when we stop eating carbs like during a fast, the absence of insulin allows the kidneys to release sodium.
So replacing that lost sodium with electrolytes can help you feel good on a fast. Since LMNT is zero sugar, it also doesn’t break up fast. Electrolytes are also important for maintaining blood pressure, regulating digestion and proper fluid balance. Keeping skin hydrated, which is a big one that I feel like often gets missed and so much more.
I feel like proper electrolytes is a missing piece for a lot of people and I love LMNTs new canned drinks, which are sparkling water with all the same ratios and minerals I just talked about, and they are delicious. You can check it out and learn more here. And at that link you will receive a free sample pack with any order.
This episode is brought to you by Hiya Health. Everyone’s talking about their New Year’s resolutions, and while everyone else is promising to hit the gym in 2026, I am focusing on something much easier that’ll actually stick (gym’s already pretty well a habit for me) which is better nutrition for my younger kids.
And that is exactly why Hiya exists, to give parents a real solution in a market flooded with products that prioritize candy-like appeal over actual nutrition. Some children’s vitamins on the market have up to seven grams of sugar per serving and are stuffed with additives and petroleum based dyes.
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They’ve thought of everything. Plus, they’ve earned their clean label projects, highest purity award certification, and they put every batch of product through third party testing for heavy metals and contaminants. So it’s the kind of transparency that actually means something. They are designed for kids 2 and up, shipped straight to your door in a reusable bottle with refills that come every month.
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About Katie Wells
Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of seven, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.
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