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Living Strong In A Hostile World – The Realities of Skin Cancer

My 20 Year Journey to Feel Safer in a Hostile Environment

Hostile
Wendy Steele, Keys CEO & Founder

Twenty years ago I learned everything I could about how to protect my skin from ultra-violet radiation. Because I am a Melanoma skin cancer survivor UV awareness is critically important to me. Thus, my mission was to discover how to feel safer in a hostile daily environment.

The sun’s rays are a formidable foe. For millions of high-risk and sun sensitive people the sun is public enemy #1.

Moreover, many years ago, my early stage Melanoma diagnosis served as a fork in the road. With education, I consciously changed all of my thinking about sun exposure. First, the California tan faded. I stayed the course, even when many others were skeptical and even opposed my thinking.

Sometimes I Just Get Angry

Reflecting now on this 20-year journey, I realize I was ribbed and sometimes even ridiculed by others. Many proclaimed that I must have daily sun exposure for healthy Vitamin D levels.   And others lived by the ‘ignorance is bliss’ rule.

This was not an option for me. Based on my skin type and history, those behaviors were risky for me. Instead, I chose to supplement with a daily Vitamin D emulsion. In addition, I have my Vitamin D levels tested regularly.

Consequently, I redefined what I was willing to do to protect my skin and my life! Then I discovered my personal truth that ultimately made me feel safer.

You Have a Choice

hostile
Staying away from UV is the “trick” to Anti-Aging

I learned to change my habits. I shifted outdoor exercise to early morning or late in the day. I limited the amount of time I spent outside when the sun was at the highest UV index levels. Most importantly, I learned to keep my skin covered by wearing protective clothing. I researched and found the widest-brimmed hats with chin strings. I found the most comfortable fingerless gloves for driving and dog walking. I bought the best protective sunglasses I could find. And I applied zinc oxide to my face and neck.

Ultimately, I learned how to demonstrate daily what many should consciously practice. I have been told that I am a walking billboard for high-risk sun sensitive people. Therefore, I am not afraid to talk to people about why I do this.

Nevertheless, I know I am not super woman. I obviously cannot control the power of the sun. At the same time, the science of UV radiation is proven.   The danger is ever-present. Also, I know all too well how easily UVA penetrates through clouds and even rain. UVA-UV Aging and UVB –UV Burning is part of my vocabulary.

I Am Done With Opinions

Simultaneously, I learned that there are hostile people who strongly opposed the use of sunscreen. This hostile group believes that sunscreen use is the cause of more instances of skin cancer. Moreover, I believe I understand why they may believe this. Because I also believe that applying ‘sunscreen’ may give people a false sense of security. However, I also believe that ‘sunscreen’ is just one small part of the protection equation. It is not the ‘end all be all’ answer to UV protection.

hostileFinally the FDA agrees! Yes, the FDA has validated that in the US we live in a hostile UV environment. All sunscreen products now require the disclosure of UVA and UVB protection. The directive on all labels must be clearly stated.   Exposure to sun should be limited. AND to avoid skin cancer, sunscreen is to be COMBINED WITH shade and other protective measures i.e. clothing, hats and sunglasses.  The hostile ignore the data.

Saving Lives

hostileKeys developed Solar Rx over 15 years ago.   We pioneered Solar Rx as the best Moisturizer with Sunscreen. Solar Rx is for daily use on the face, neck and hands. At Keys we continue to educate about sun awareness. Also, we educate customers that our product is not for the beach or pool or for prolonged outside exercise activity.

It is self-evident that continued exposure to radiation from the sun is dangerous. Unfortunately, many have an acquaintance, a friend or a loved one who has been affected by Melanoma skin cancer. Early onset of skin cancer has been attributed to using tanning beds as teens. We read press stories about young adults whose melanoma diagnosis came too late to save their lives.

Moreover, personal experiences now serve as reminder of the horror stories of skin cancer surgery. Dermatology scars are the new normal while many are hidden as badges of stupidity.

As a result of my personal experience with Melanoma, I know so much more than I did 20 years ago. I believe adopting pro-active behaviors allow me to embrace a healthy and safe life. And even in the face of hostile adversity I am grateful and give thanks to everyday I can be outside and feel a little bit safer.

Most importantly, it is my hope that many more realize that knowing better can help you make better choices. With education you can also make better choices for yourself as well as your loved ones and help to save another life.

In closing, education, prevention and early detection are the gold standard to stamp out skin cancer.  Listening to the opinions of the hostile minority could kill you!

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Solar Rx – Top Ranked by EWG 2016 Sunscreen Report

Solar Rx Top Ranked Ten Years

by Wendy Steele, Keys CEO

srx-maskedI am always please to be ranked in the safest and most efficacious category for our products.  Solar Rx has been ranked by the EWG 2016 Sunscreen Report top in the “Moisturizer with Sunscreen group.  It has been at the top of the list since it was introduced over ten years ago.   We have made some improvements making it a primary moisturizer with SPF for thousands of people for everyday use.  Solar Rx has been in numerous movies, TV shows and commercials because of its luminescent properties that optically smooth the skin while also providing deep natural chemical-free moisture.

Solar Rx is completely and fully all-natural, vegan, gluten-free and free of man-made chemicals.  Punta!

Double Down On Anti-Aging

Solar Rx provides such good anti-aging for the skin in two distinct ways.  The UVB (burning) rays and the UVA (aging) are physically blocked by our spherical OptiFX® zinc oxide particle.  UV radiation is the number one cause of aging around the world.  Protecting your skin from UV is the #1 thing that you can do to never look your age.  Secondly, Solar Rx is a huge anti-aging product because it uses our Luminos™ Moisturizer as its base lotion.  The lotion is made with vegan oil and homogenized into a ultra smooth lotion.  Pharma grade avocado, carrot seed and black seed oil are blended with wild crafted Ghana Shea Butter to provide deep moisturizing.

No Pilling Under Makeup

Solar Rx OptiFX® Zinc Oxide particles are blended to provide the maximum UV protection.  They are spherical by design making them transparent to visible light while opaque to invisible UVA, UVB and UVC rays.  This means maximum protection with no white or blue cast.  Many makeup artists use it as a base foundation to layer makeup on top.  The fact that it has no silicone makes it play very well with both water and oil based makeup.

Solar Rx is Not for the Beach

What makes Solar Rx a great moisturizer providing everyday SPF protection is that it is water soluble.  It provides deep moisturizing  because of this design.  So, it works everyday and all day as long as you do not perspire.  It is not designed for Go To Beach, swimming or sports use.  And, no we do not make a regular sunscreen.

Cover Up! Stop Melanoma!

Solar Rx
Wendy wearing a SunBody Hat and Columbia Omni-Shade® Clothing

The reason we do not make a active life sunscreen is because as I am a Melanoma survivor.  19 years now free from skin cancer.  Some people consider me an expert in skin cancer prevention.  I am adamant that sunscreens give a false sense of protection.  I subscribe to wearing big brim UPF rated hat, UPF rated sun clothing and UVA rated sunglasses.  Only exposed skin should wear sunscreen.  Avoidance of peak sun hours will protect you from over exposure to UV and make you younger looking.  “Brown leather is out!  Skin that is!  So, it is time to get wise and avoid the sun.  Make your own shade!”  I say!

My personal favorites are SunBody Hats and Columbia Sportswear OmniShade® clothing.  I do have various brands of UVA rated sunglasses with Oakley being my long time loyal favorites.  When I started looking for sun clothing after my Melanoma surgery, it was hard to find anything to wear.  I started with Sun Precautions and Oakley. THEY WERE IT!  I now love love love my Columbia Omni-Shade® because they are stylish, cool and come in a wide range of colors.  My SunBody hats are as chic as a big sun hat can get.  I have tested them to over 100UPF.  I love them also because they have stampede straps for high wind situations.

To read more about sun protection and anti-aging, read an article I wrote Here

Solar Rx is available both in a 100ml airless container and in sealed foil packets.  It is the top selling Keys product.

To learn more about Keys “Clear Cosmetics,” Click Here

Click the Buy Button to go to our online store.  Solar Rx is available at natural markets, naturopathic MD’s, functional medicine MD’s and apothecaries.

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