Summer = more sun and more bugs. Therefore summer = more goop on your skin to protect from both. Unfortunately, what you can easily buy at pharmacies and departments stores to protect you from bugs and sun actually exposes you to other toxins. Honestly, there is a lot of conflicting information about the efficacy of the most popular chemical sunscreens and repellents versus the risks of using them.

But there is a way to protect yourself from sun and insect bites without having to worry about whether you’re inadvertently also priming cancer, which is to use natural products. It takes the slightest bit more effort, but when there are cost-comparable natural alternatives that humans have been using with good results since the dawn of man until about 50 years ago, you have to ask yourself, “Why would I put myself at unnecessary risk of chemical toxicity?” (Pausing now, so you can ask yourself that…)

There are actually many more choices in natural or low toxicity sunscreens than there are in the riskier name-brand kind, because the big names are made by a few large corporations. The natural or low-toxic varieties are made by a plethora of medium and small businesses. Nonetheless, many are available at convenient online stores like Amazon, such as our pick in sunscreen, the 30 SPF Kiss My Face Sun Spray Lotion – 8 oz. for $11.40, with free super saver shipping.

Stock up on bug spray at the same time, and you’ll have no trouble reaching Amazon’s $25 threshold for free shipping. Our pick for an all-natural and good-smelling bug spray – because it’s made with lots of essential oils such as geranium, cedarwood, peppermint and lemongrass – is All Terrain’s Natural Herbal Armor, 4-oz for $6.59 on Amazon, but we have linked you to their page at Vitacost.com because there is more product information and consumer reviews posted there. Vitacost.com also offers this product for just $5.49, but to get free-shipping you need to spend $49. That wouldn’t be so hard to do – and would be good for you – if you also stock up on natural lip balms, deodorants and cosmetics, reducing your overall chemical toxicity (Read “What are we smearing on our faces? Urban Myth vs. Harsh Reality of Cosmetics”).

If you’re the kind that likes to DIY, check out these recipes for making your own sunscreen and insect repellent.