It's Summer, bring on the Baby Oil and Iodine! Not!

I was a teenager in the 80's.  We were living in Southern Pennsylvania, where the Winter's were cold & icy, and the Summer's were hot and sweaty.  The first hint of warm weather signaled us to bring our the shorts, and baby oil. We were all about getting our tan on.  You either used one of those coconut smelling tanning concoctions, or if you were hard core (like me, and my girls) you used Grandma Helen's formula, baby oil and iodine.  We would slather that oily mess on from head to toe, squeeze lemons onto our hair (or later sprayed Sun-In all over it), grab the cordless phone, our favorite nail polish, and head out to the pool.

Now as a parent, and adult, my first thought is "oh no! don't get all of that crap in the pool!". My parents tried, believe me.  My sister and I would still get right in, get on the float and get our tan on. You couldn't lay on the side see.  You need the water to reflect and make sure you got the ultimate amount of sun. The only time we came out of the pool during the day was to pee, eat, and watch Days of our Lives.  There was no TiVo then, you had to stop everything at 1pm to watch.

So you have probably gathered that there was noooooo sunscreen involved in this plan.  Oh no, wouldn't want to hinder the bronzing process.  I don't even remember sunscreen being offered, suggested or insisted upon.  In fact, the typical approach to getting a good summer bronze was getting nice and crispy, then having it all peel off.  Isn't that what everyone did?  I did not embrace sunscreen until my 30's.  I finally realized that if I used it, not only would I not burn, bonus! -- but my tan would be prettier and last longer.

Now of course at almost 50 years old, I lament over the sun damage on my skin.  Not just my face, but my hands, legs, etc.. I never leave my house without at least 20 spf.  I only use natural sunscreens with no tiny molecules that deliver cancer causing agents to my deep dermal layers. Yeah, I have all kinds of wisdom now, helpful right??  I don't really have a favorite.  I made my own for a while, and I like that, though it can be a little zinc like. The essential oils make it smell fabulous.  I typically just pick up something at Sprouts, and check for nasties on the ingredient label.  I wear sunscreen on my hair too.  That is a little ironic considering I am a platinum blonde, but I figure why stress it further.

I am a long way from Southern Pennsylvania, I am a Southern California girl now.  We get way more sun.  I spend most every day getting exposure.  It's all good, I keep a nice bronze, but I am not worried so much about looking like an Island girl.  That was my teenage self.  I don't wear big hats like many of my friends, though it probably is a good idea.  Moderation is my motto.