If you are a sun worshipper like myself chances are you’ve got about a hundred bottles of sun block scattered through out your medicine cabinet. Spray on 8, zinc 30, sweat-proof 50, an SPF for every occasion. The persistent mantra from dermatologists around the globe pops into your thoughts every morning… “sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen…” Obviously prevention is key to beautiful, melanoma free skin, but with all that lotion slathering and thus absorption, it’s best if we know exactly what we are putting into our bodies.
Most sunscreens are latent with questionable chemicals and preservatives that us health nuts don’t want sitting in our cells wreaking silent damage. So with June in full swing I’ve dug up the goods on the latest and greatest green sun products and preventative tips.
What to look for:
Sunscreens that contain zinc dioxide or titanium dioxide. These minerals are great alternatives to blocks made with chemicals such as oxybenzone. Both offer broad spectrum coverage of UVA and UVB. No need to worry about the white zinc streaks from the past; today’s zinc and titanium screens are micronized to prevent the white out look. Be sure to double check the active ingredients though since some brands have a combination of these minerals mixed with chemicals.
Not all “natural/organic” block brands are created equal. If you want to take the next step in stellar natural skin care keep your eye peeled for harsher chemical preservatives like butylparaben and methylparaben. Opt for screens without preservatives or those with milder preservatives such as potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate.
The best products are those with all the above attributes that also lack petroleum-based ingredients such as mineral oil. Look for natural emollients such as olive, sunflower and jojoba oils, and shea and cocoa butter, to name a few.
Sunscreens that contain zinc dioxide or titanium dioxide. These minerals are great alternatives to blocks made with chemicals such as oxybenzone. Both offer broad spectrum coverage of UVA and UVB. No need to worry about the white zinc streaks from the past; today’s zinc and titanium screens are micronized to prevent the white out look. Be sure to double check the active ingredients though since some brands have a combination of these minerals mixed with chemicals.
Not all “natural/organic” block brands are created equal. If you want to take the next step in stellar natural skin care keep your eye peeled for harsher chemical preservatives like butylparaben and methylparaben. Opt for screens without preservatives or those with milder preservatives such as potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate.
The best products are those with all the above attributes that also lack petroleum-based ingredients such as mineral oil. Look for natural emollients such as olive, sunflower and jojoba oils, and shea and cocoa butter, to name a few.
Brands To Consider:
Rare Natural– 100% vegan, natural with certified organic and eco-certified ingredients, their products are free of potentially harmful ingredients, synthetic chemicals, parabens, alcohol, and other bad stuff.
Aubrey Organics– offers a great line of sun blocks that are environmentally safe and packaged in recyclable material. They are all natural, safe, and effective.
Kiss My Face line– is based completely on essential oils and eco-friendly ingredients. Smells fantastic to boot!
UV Natural line– has been ranked #1 by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). UV Natural claims to be the safest and most effective sunscreen sold in the world. The entire range of UV Natural sunscreens protect against the full spectrum of UV light – UV A1, A2, B and C.
Soleo Organics All Natural Sunscreen– my latest find created in Australia! It contains no chemicals or synthetic preservatives. It’s biodegradable so it won’t effect marine ecosystems (sunscreens cause the rapid and complete bleaching of hard corals, even at extremely low concentrations. A problem in the Great Barrier Reef) and contains 22% zinc.
Rare Natural– 100% vegan, natural with certified organic and eco-certified ingredients, their products are free of potentially harmful ingredients, synthetic chemicals, parabens, alcohol, and other bad stuff.
Aubrey Organics– offers a great line of sun blocks that are environmentally safe and packaged in recyclable material. They are all natural, safe, and effective.
Kiss My Face line– is based completely on essential oils and eco-friendly ingredients. Smells fantastic to boot!
UV Natural line– has been ranked #1 by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). UV Natural claims to be the safest and most effective sunscreen sold in the world. The entire range of UV Natural sunscreens protect against the full spectrum of UV light – UV A1, A2, B and C.
Soleo Organics All Natural Sunscreen– my latest find created in Australia! It contains no chemicals or synthetic preservatives. It’s biodegradable so it won’t effect marine ecosystems (sunscreens cause the rapid and complete bleaching of hard corals, even at extremely low concentrations. A problem in the Great Barrier Reef) and contains 22% zinc.
Celeb Sun Tips:
Actress-TV correspondent Maria Menounos drives with the top down, but never leaves home without a hat or sunglasses when she does. Her sunscreen of choice: “I love Dermalogica SPF 20 or 30,” she says.
Actress-TV correspondent Maria Menounos drives with the top down, but never leaves home without a hat or sunglasses when she does. Her sunscreen of choice: “I love Dermalogica SPF 20 or 30,” she says.
Fair skinned Marcia Cross swears by year round protection. “I walk around with a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen all the time,” says Cross. She’s also a spokesperson for Oil of Olay’s skin-cancer awareness program, using Olay Complete Defense SPF 30 daily.
Friday Night Lights star Connie Britton moisturizes, protects, and sunlessly tans her skin with products from Clarins and Coola, which, she raves, “are all-organic and feel great on your skin.”
Tis the season! Well maybe not here in Melbourne, but I’m gearing up for my trip to the Great Barrier Reef already. I will definitely pick up a bottle of Soleo’s block before embarking on sun drenched Queensland. Right now I’m good with my Palmer’s all natural tanning lotion. Why bake when you can fake naturally?
This post was sponsored by Only In A Woman’s World.
Friday Night Lights star Connie Britton moisturizes, protects, and sunlessly tans her skin with products from Clarins and Coola, which, she raves, “are all-organic and feel great on your skin.”
Tis the season! Well maybe not here in Melbourne, but I’m gearing up for my trip to the Great Barrier Reef already. I will definitely pick up a bottle of Soleo’s block before embarking on sun drenched Queensland. Right now I’m good with my Palmer’s all natural tanning lotion. Why bake when you can fake naturally?
This post was sponsored by Only In A Woman’s World.
