It is a known fact that our skin is porous and absorbs whatever we put on it. As temperatures rise and the sun begins to sizzle, we reach for our trusty bottle of sunscreen (because who wants skin cancer and premature aging?) As we slather it on every summer, do we know what’s REALLY in this protective necessity?
“Sunscreen works by combining organic and inorganic active ingredients. Inorganic ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium oxide reflect or scatter ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Organic ingredients like octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC) or oxybenzone absorb UV radiation, dissipating it as heat. Some sunscreens protect us from the two types of damaging UV radiation: UV-A and UV-B. Both UV-A and UV-B cause sunburns and damaging effects such as skin cancer” (Library of Congress). Mineral sunscreens are insoluble, protect against the entire spectrum of UVA/UVB radiation and will not break down over time; organic sunscreens are soluble and therefore more resistant to wiping, sweating and abrasion. The combination of mineral and organic ingredients make up most sunscreens but it’s the additives that make each brand different- for the better and worse.
Just a few things to keep in mind before your next sunscreen purchase:
*Spray sunscreens can be inhaled and they don’t cover your skin completely
*SPFs above 50+ trick you into thinking they prevent sun damage- they don’t
*SPF protection tops out at 30-50
*Oxybenzone can disrupt the hormone system
*Retinyl Palmitate (contains Vitamin A) may trigger damage, possibly cancer. Tumors and lesions develop sooner on skin coated with creams laced with vitamin A.
*General sunscreen only protects you from UV-B rays (which cause sunburns). Broad spectrum sunscreen protects against both UV-B and UV-A rays (which penetrate into your dermis and cause skin cancer)
The Best
-Blue Lizard
-Burt’s Bees
-COOLA
-Jason Natural
-MD Solar Sciences
-Nature’s Gate
-Sun Bum
-Sunumbra
-The Honest Company
-Yes to Cucumbers
The Worst
-Banana Boat Clear UltraMist Ultra Defense MAX Skin Protect Continuous Spray Sunscreen, SPF 110
-Coppertone Sport High Performance AccuSpray Sunscreen, SPF 70
-CVS Sun Lotion Sunscreen, SPF 70
-Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen Spray, SPF 70
-Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Daily Liquid Sunscreen, SPF 70
-Coppertone Water Babies Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 70+
-Equate Kids Sunscreen Stick, SPF 55
-Coppertone Sport High-Performance Sunscreen, SPF 75
-Coppertone Sport High-Performance Clear Continuous Spray Sunscreen, SPF 100+
-Neutrogena Wet Skin Sunscreen Spray, SPF 85+
Your skin is the body’s largest organ- protect and nourish it with safe, natural, and organic products.
Love,
Tanique
“Sunscreen works by combining organic and inorganic active ingredients. Inorganic ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium oxide reflect or scatter ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Organic ingredients like octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC) or oxybenzone absorb UV radiation, dissipating it as heat. Some sunscreens protect us from the two types of damaging UV radiation: UV-A and UV-B. Both UV-A and UV-B cause sunburns and damaging effects such as skin cancer” (Library of Congress). Mineral sunscreens are insoluble, protect against the entire spectrum of UVA/UVB radiation and will not break down over time; organic sunscreens are soluble and therefore more resistant to wiping, sweating and abrasion. The combination of mineral and organic ingredients make up most sunscreens but it’s the additives that make each brand different- for the better and worse.
Just a few things to keep in mind before your next sunscreen purchase:
*Spray sunscreens can be inhaled and they don’t cover your skin completely
*SPFs above 50+ trick you into thinking they prevent sun damage- they don’t
*SPF protection tops out at 30-50
*Oxybenzone can disrupt the hormone system
*Retinyl Palmitate (contains Vitamin A) may trigger damage, possibly cancer. Tumors and lesions develop sooner on skin coated with creams laced with vitamin A.
*General sunscreen only protects you from UV-B rays (which cause sunburns). Broad spectrum sunscreen protects against both UV-B and UV-A rays (which penetrate into your dermis and cause skin cancer)
The Best
-Blue Lizard
-Burt’s Bees
-COOLA
-Jason Natural
-MD Solar Sciences
-Nature’s Gate
-Sun Bum
-Sunumbra
-The Honest Company
-Yes to Cucumbers
The Worst
-Banana Boat Clear UltraMist Ultra Defense MAX Skin Protect Continuous Spray Sunscreen, SPF 110
-Coppertone Sport High Performance AccuSpray Sunscreen, SPF 70
-CVS Sun Lotion Sunscreen, SPF 70
-Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen Spray, SPF 70
-Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Daily Liquid Sunscreen, SPF 70
-Coppertone Water Babies Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 70+
-Equate Kids Sunscreen Stick, SPF 55
-Coppertone Sport High-Performance Sunscreen, SPF 75
-Coppertone Sport High-Performance Clear Continuous Spray Sunscreen, SPF 100+
-Neutrogena Wet Skin Sunscreen Spray, SPF 85+
Your skin is the body’s largest organ- protect and nourish it with safe, natural, and organic products.
Love,
Tanique