Safeguarding Your Skin and the Seas: The Power of Natural Sunscreen

 On the quest for healthier skin, it’s important to understand how a natural sunscreen differs from that dollar store one you’ve been using. Your conventional sunscreen works by absorbing the sun’s UV rays with chemicals. That’s right, these chemicals are actually reacting with UV rays right on your skin’s surface, and are turned into heat that is then released from your skin. This can spell bad news for those of you with sensitive skin. The chemical reaction and heat release caused by chemical sunscreen can irritate skin and trigger the formation of dark spots.

What’s more terrifying are the chemicals that are used in conventional sunscreens: oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate, octinoxate. These chemicals have been linked to hormone disruption and skin allergies with prolonged use. Research has suggested that for nursing mothers, these chemicals can be especially dangerous. Since chemicals in sunscreens applied to skin can be absorbed into the body, they can be passed on to their babies through nursing. Traces of these chemicals can be found in any chemical sunscreen user’s blood, urine, and breast milk of nursing moms.

As opposed to a ‘chemical sunscreen’, our natural sunscreen would be categorized as a ‘physical’ sunscreen. This is because it works by physically blocking (instead of reacting with) UVA and UVB rays. You might also see it called ‘mineral sunscreen’, because it uses minerals like zinc oxide and titanium oxide as physical shields against UV rays. In addition to minerals, we also use the protective antioxidant lycopene, which we source from tomatoes for our Tomato Lycopene SPF 20 Moisturizer. Tomato lycopene has also been praised for minimizing sun damage in skin, which is why we made it this sunscreen’s star ingredient.

Another thing you may notice with any truly natural sunscreen is that it will leave a slight white-cast upon application. This is actually great news for your skin! It’s a sign that the mineral particles are large enough to shield your skin. If they were small enough to be transparent (this is what we call the paradox of nanoparticles, and we’ll talk more about that in another blog post), they’d actually get absorbed into your skin and not be a mineral or physical sunscreen anymore. That said, for full skin loving protection, we don’t use nanoparticles in our natural sunscreen. If a white-cast bothers you, massage sunscreen into skin for an extra 30 seconds to blend more seamlessly into your skin tone.

Why Choose a Natural Sunscreen?

Because our natural sunscreen works by shielding your skin against UV rays, we eliminate harmful chemical reactions and potential irritation. Another perk is that synthetic preservatives like methylisothiazolinone — commonly found in conventional sunscreen — are a huge no-no in our products. We’ve dedicated ourselves to creating toxin free sunscreen without any synthetic ingredients. Why? We don’t think it makes sense for us to protect you against the sun, while endangering your health with potentially hazardous toxins. Have we mentioned that our natural sunscreen collection is entirely cruelty free, too?

Chemical Sunscreens Are Destroying Coral Reefs

Another big factor in choosing your sunscreen is how it can affect the planet. Do you think sunscreens just stick to your skin when you jump into the ocean? Wrong! As you’re splishing and splashing amongst the waves, your sunscreen is gradually slipping off your skin (that’s why you should always reapply after swimming). So where does that sunscreen formula go? Into the water you’re swimming in, of course! The runoff from chemical sunscreens we wear while swimming has damaged natural ecosystems and wildlife that live in oceans, rivers, and lakes. Each year, 6,000–14,000 tons of sunscreen enters the ocean, endangering and even killing delicate coral reef ecosystems.

If you’re wearing chemical sunscreens that contain oxybenzone or octinoxate, you’re carrying these harmful chemicals right into the water with you. Hawaii has even gone so far as to ban the sales and distribution of these chemical sunscreens on their islands, in order to protect their coral reefs.

Titanium is another sunscreen ingredient you should avoid wearing near the ocean. While it’s a safe, natural alternative to chemical ingredients, high amounts of titanium dioxide can react with salt water and turn to form hydrogen peroxide, which is harmful for all sea creatures. So if you’re planning a tropical getaway where you’ll be in the water, consider the environmental effects of using a chemical, not natural sunscreen!

Sun Safety

Using sunscreen properly is a must for dodging some serious side effects like burnt skin, dark spots, and skin cancer. Our natural sunscreen collection will provide the sun protection and skin nourishment you’ll need this summer, to ensure you’re enjoying super-safe fun in the sun. But remember: you’ll need to follow a strict sunscreen regimen anytime your plans include being outdoors. That means wearing SPF even on cloudy days, reapplying after swimming and sweating, and reapplying again at least every 2 hours. And of course, keep a parasol handy, and your sunnies and hat in your beach bag for maximum protection.

How to Choose a Natural Sunscreen

We’re not just protecting you from the sun. Our natural sunscreens work full duty by nourishing your skin all day long. Our natural sunscreen collection helps keep skin youthful, protected, and hydrated with a powerful blend of plant derived nutrients, oils, and vitamins. The perfect percentage of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide means safe protection against harmful UVA and UVB rays. All of our natural sunscreens are non comedogenic and fragrance free, so you can wear under or over makeup and reapply throughout the day, without worrying about clogging your pores or irritating your skin.

Choosing a natural sunscreen over a conventional one can be a game-changer for your skin’s health and the environment. Natural sunscreens, also known as physical or mineral sunscreens, use minerals like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to physically block UV rays without the risks associated with chemical reactions. They are gentle on sensitive skin, free from harmful chemicals, and safer for coral reefs and marine life. By opting for a natural sunscreen, you not only protect your skin but also contribute to a healthier planet.