SPF & Sun Protection — My Honest Thoughts (And What I Actually Do)

Let me just say it straight — the whole topic of SPF and sun protection is weirdly confusing. There’s so much conflicting info out there. Is the sun really harmful? Or are sunscreens the real problem? Can the sun cause cancer, or are we smearing chemicals on our skin that do more damage than good?

Honestly… I don’t know.
And I’m not afraid to say it.

We live in a world where it’s hard to trust the science, especially when someone’s making a profit from it. The sun isn’t selling us anything. But SPF brands? That’s a billion-dollar industry. The more we fear the sun, the more we spend. So yeah, I always question that. Who’s really benefiting from this advice?

But here’s what I do know — from my own skin, my own eyes.

When I spend hours in direct sun, my skin gets dry, my freckles start popping like spring daisies, and there’s an overall tiredness to the way my face looks after a long sun-filled day. Even if I don’t believe the sun is inherently dangerous, I can’t ignore what it does to my skin when I overdo it.

And let’s be real — almost everyone over 50 starts to show pigmentation from sun exposure. So whether or not it’s dangerous in the medical sense, it does something. You can see it. You can feel it.

I’ve always been prone to freckles, and during pregnancy and breastfeeding, that got even more intense. My hormones were doing their wild dance, and pigmentation just multiplied. Nobody warned me about this part of motherhood — so now I’m warning you, especially future mamas: avoid sunbathing too much when you’re pregnant or nursing. Your skin is extra sensitive, and you might get changes that are really hard to reverse later.

I’ll give you a little story. About a month and a half after giving birth, we went to Turkey. I was still breastfeeding, and we were spending time on the beach. It wasn’t extreme sun, and I didn’t sunbathe like crazy. But soon I noticed new freckles creeping onto my arms — not big spots, just those tiny, scattered ones. You might say “but freckles are cute!” — and they are, I agree — but when there’s a lot of them, and they start clustering on my face, it just begins to look messy. Especially when they’re uneven.

So let’s talk about what I actually do now.
Yes, I use sun protection.
Unfortunately. 😂

I still don’t love putting stuff on my skin. Especially chemical stuff. I’m pretty minimal when it comes to products — my skin likes to breathe. But I’ve learned that I need some form of protection, especially during high UV index days (which I now check daily in the iPhone weather app — so handy!).

I’m super picky with SPF. If I’m going to put something on my face or body, it needs to be mineral-based (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide only), without all those long unreadable ingredients. No oxybenzone, no avobenzone, no parabens, no fragrance. The fewer ingredients, the better.

BUT — even good mineral sunscreens are expensive. And you have to reapply all day, and who honestly remembers to do that every two hours? Especially with a baby in one arm and a diaper bag in the other? Let’s be honest.

So what’s my actual go-to sun protection strategy these days?

Long sleeves. Flowy pants. Natural fabrics. Real shade.

Yep. Just like that. I started building a summer wardrobe made from breathable natural fabrics — think cotton, linen, bamboo — that also give me UV protection. It’s wild how much better I feel in these clothes. I stay cooler and protected. Plus, these natural fabrics actually have more ability to block UV rays compared to synthetic ones, especially when woven tightly.

I look for loose silhouettes — think wide-leg linen pants, oversized shirts, long dresses with sleeves. Not only does it help protect my skin, but I also feel like I’m floating through the heat in my own little breeze cocoon.

Recently, I found a couple of clothing brands that make actual UPF-rated clothing (that’s like SPF, but for clothes). I’ll drop my favorite pieces here soon — they’re chic, comfy, breathable, and they don’t scream “technical sunblock gear.” Just cute summer looks that happen to protect you.

Honestly, clothes have become my favorite form of sun protection. I don’t have to reapply anything. I don’t have to second-guess what I’m putting on my skin. And I don’t feel like I’m poisoning myself in the name of “safety.” It’s a win-win.

I still keep a small mineral SPF for when I’m out in direct sun and can’t wear long sleeves — like the beach, or walking around the city. But I use it more sparingly now.

And again, I’m not here to tell you what’s right or wrong. I’m just sharing what’s worked for me. I don’t blindly trust the SPF industry. But I also can’t deny that my skin changes with sun exposure — especially during sensitive seasons like postpartum and breastfeeding.

So here’s what I recommend if you’re figuring out your own sun routine:

My Personal Sun Protection Tips:

1. Check the UV Index.
   If it’s 6 or higher, be extra mindful — wear a hat, cover up, or limit time outside.
2. Invest in a couple of UPF-rated clothing pieces.
   They’re not only stylish but practical — and you’ll feel the difference in how much cooler and safer your skin feels.
3. Go for natural fabrics.
   Loose, light-colored linen or cotton can be surprisingly effective in blocking UV rays — plus, they feel amazing on the skin.
4. Keep a clean mineral SPF on hand.
   Something simple with zinc oxide and nothing else. Use it on your face, shoulders, hands — any places that are hard to cover with clothes.
5. Avoid sunbathing during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
   Your skin is in hormone chaos mode — take it easy, and protect it as much as you can. Pigmentation is real and sometimes irreversible.

I’ll be sharing links to my favorite long-sleeve dresses, linen sets, and UPF shirts very soon. These are the pieces I wear on repeat during summer, especially when we’re traveling or at the beach.

And if you’ve found a clean sunscreen that you love (and doesn’t cost your entire grocery budget), I’d love to hear about it.
Do you trust SPF products? Or do you go the fabric-and-shade route like I do?
Tell me in the comments or DM me on Instagram — I always reply 💌

Let’s keep learning and experimenting together. There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to health and wellness — just honest experiences, shared with love.

With sun-kissed (but protected) skin,
Anastasia Holistic Sage 🌿

Just a heads-up – some of the links you find in my content are Amazon affiliate links, which means I might earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them.

No worries, though! It doesn’t cost you anything extra, and it helps me keep this holistic corner of the internet running. I only recommend products I genuinely believe in and think you might love too.

Your support means the world, and I appreciate each and every one of you! If you have any questions about this, feel free to drop me a message.