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This guide will help you choose the best natural & eco-friendly sunscreen. We will show you how to choose a sunscreen that will provide a good value for money, while being safe, eco-friendly and protect your skin.
This is a long post, if you can’t get through the whole thing just remember this:
If you can’t say it, don’t spray it.
The article is organized as an FAQ (frequently asked questions) and their answers, to help you understand everything you need to know on how to choose a natural sunscreen.
Why should I use a natural & eco-friendly sunscreen?
First, why should you use sunscreen at all? The sunlight contains ultraviolet (UV) rays, which can lead anywhere from direct DNA damage (and eventually wrinkles) to skin tumors. In fact, excessive UV radiation is the leading cause of skin tumors. Sunscreen helps preventing the UV rays to reach your skin and get absorbed in your cell.
Now, why should you choose natural sunscreens? Many sunscreen manufacturers use synthetic unnatural ingredients in their sunscreens, some of which are not even proven to be safe.
As more people become aware of the health problems that can arise from chemicals absorbed through our skin, they are choosing to use a natural sunscreen product to protect their skin.
The best natural sunscreens have safe to use natural ingredients, provide great skin protection and offer good value for the money.
What types of sunscreen are there?
There are two types of sunscreen:
- Physical sunscreens, which reflect the sunlight.
- Chemical sunscreens, which absorb UV radiation.
Physical sunscreens provide great skin protection, and are safer to use.
On the other hand, many chemical sunscreens have unnatural (synthetic) ingredients which may be unsafe to use. This is because they may cause allergic reactions, disrupt hormonal balance (especially in kids), reduce sperm count in men, and many other things you wish to avoid.
What ingredients to look for in a natural & eco-friendly sunscreen?
There are only two ingredients that are FDA approved and block the sun’s UV radiation: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
What ingredients to avoid in a natural sunscreen?
Many sunscreen manufacturers will use synthetic active ingredients, which may cause side effects, especially if you have a sensitive skin or other skin conditions.
If you are comparing sunscreens and seeking to avoid the ones that use synthetic ingredients, avoid the sunscreens that list dioxybenzone, oxybenzone, para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), and sulisobenzone as ingredients.
Some of these ingredients, like PABA, are banned in Europe.
Which claims should you be careful with about sunscreen?
- Many sunscreen brands promote their sunscreen by saying they are organic. While this may be the case, it doesn’t necessarily mean they will protect your skin better.
- There are sunscreens that are also bug repellents. You want to apply the sunscreen often, and this is why we don’t recommend getting the combo sunscreen-bug repellent.
Which claims should I look for in my eco-friendly sunscreen?
UV radiation splits to two kinds, UVA and UVB rays. Make sure the label says “broad spectrum” or “full spectrum“, which means it will protect you from both UVA and UVB radiation.
What does SPF mean on my sunscreen?
Sun Protection Factor (SPF) is a way to rate the protection of sunscreens. The SPF measures the fraction UV rays that reach the skin.
For example, “SPF 30” means that 1/30th (3.33%) of the UV radiation can actually reach the skin through a typical application of the sunscreen.
Which SPF should you pick for your eco-friendly sunscreen?
Sunscreens with higher SPF tend to provide better production, but are also more expansive. In many cases you don’t need to get the highest SPF, and can find an affordable sunscreen that provides great protection.
An SPF of 30 should block 97% of the sun’s UV radiation, while SPF of 60 blocks 98% of the UV radiation. This translates to 1% extra protection, for what can be significantly more expansive.
We recommend SPF 30-50 for the best value for your money.
Can sunscreen cause vitamin D deficiency?
Typical usage of sunscreen shouldn’t cause vitamin D deficiency. However, sunscreens block UV rays.
Since the body produces vitamin D when UV radiation reaches the skin, the more sunscreen you apply the less vitamin D your body can produce. This is why you should not use excessive amount of sunscreen (simply follow the instructions on the label).
What is the difference between sunscreen and sunblock?
Sunblock typically refers to opaque sunscreen. In 2013 the FDA banned the use of the word sunblock, because the FDA was worried that the word “Sunblock” may make people think that sunblock is more effective that sunscreen in blocking UV rays. Don’t make this error!
Even today, most people use the word sunscreen and sunblock interchangeably when in fact they don’t offer the same level of skin protection.
What are the environmental affects of sunscreen?
While sunscreens protect your skin, some of them may hinder the environment. There is growing concern over what happens to the artificial chemicals as they are absorbed into the environment:
- The synthetic material oxybenzone damages corals.
- When titanium dioxide and zinc oxide dissolve in water under UV rays they may increase the production of hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide damages phytoplankton.
- Titanium dioxide tends to accumulate in coastal waters and marine animals may ingest it.
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A few more recommendations:
Any other tips?
- Use sunglasses, wear a hat, and even pants or long-sleeved shirts for additional protection.
- Stay out of the sun at peak times (around noon).
- Find shade!
Well, if you are already trying to protect yourself from the sun, make sure to limit your direct exposure to sunlight:
Other resources
- https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/report/the-trouble-with-sunscreen-chemicals/#.Wvu4m9MvyL4
- https://wellnessmama.com/55366/sunscreen-is-harmful/
- https://www.womenshealthmag.com/beauty/a19919520/6-scary-sunscreen-ingredients-and-6-safe-spf-products/