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You don’t need research studies to tell you that getting adequate vitamin D is good for you. Most of us will know that scenario of sitting in an office all day, looking out of a window and staring longingly at the beautiful sunshine. It’s just the best feeling when we finally get some time off to go to the beach; kicking off our shoes, feeling the sand between our toes and that warming sensation of the sun’s glorious rays on our skin. Just don’t forget your natural sunscreen!
Yes, we know...it’s the last thing you want to think about as you’re running towards the sea with your surfboard under one arm. However, whilst Vitamin D is good for both your body and your soul, too much sunshine is a bad thing. Prolonged periods of direct sun exposure can cause premature ageing and is the leading cause of skin cancers, such as squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma and melanoma. Therefore, you should always slap on some natural sunscreen before you expose yourself to the sun.
With that being said, you shouldn’t rely solely on sunscreen - make sure you use clothing, sunglasses and the shade for the best protection during the hottest part of the day.
Natural (otherwise known as physical) sunscreen, is made from minerals, such as zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide UV blockers. They sit on top of the skin and reflect the UV rays like a mirror, giving broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection. Moreover, this means that natural sunscreen provides an immediate UV barrier, as it doesn’t need time to be absorbed by the skin. We still recommend you apply at least 20 minutes before charging around the beach - just to be safe!
Unnatural sunscreens are those that are made out of chemicals, which work by being absorbed by the skin. Consequently, they can take about 20 minutes before they begin to provide protection. To ensure they work effectively, unnatural sunscreens need myriad chemicals, because individually they only offer narrow spectrum protection.
Once the chemicals have comfortably taken up residence inside your skin, they soak up the UV rays like a sponge. In doing so, they may release heat and free radicals. In fact, studies have found that sunscreen users have measurable traces of these chemicals inside their blood, urine and breast milk. Furthermore, they can also cause hormone disruption and trigger skin allergies and irritation.
As you can probably tell, unnatural sunscreen doesn’t sound like the best option. Still not convinced about why you should use natural sunscreen instead? Without further ado, here are the top 3 reasons a mineral-based skin protection is the best:
Natural sunscreens don’t penetrate the skin and thus there are no foreign entities for your body to react to; studies suggest that few, if any, mineral particles get absorbed. Therefore, we can confidently say that zinc oxide and titanium dioxide will not have the same effect on our bodily functions as chemical sunscreens. That means less irritation and skin allergies and no hormone disruption. Plus, there won’t be any traces in your blood, urine or breast milk!
SunButter SPF50 is made from non-nanoparticle zinc oxide and also contains other natural ingredients, which are designed to nurture, protect and replenish your skin. For example, it uses various derivatives of coconut oil and vitamin E, to ensure your skin gets the care it deserves.
The minerals in natural sunscreen protect against broad-spectrum UVA and UVB. Plus, because it acts like a mirror, the UV rays aren’t able to penetrate your skin at all - so it really is the best option!
Our SunButter SPF50 also offers water resistance, so you can stay protected whilst participating in your favourite activities.
If you’ve read our previous article, then you will know how chemical sunscreens are damaging coral reefs. According to the New Scientist, coral reefs are disappearing twice as fast as rainforests! Fortunately, natural sunscreens do not contain chemicals that are harmful for marine life. In fact, non-nanoparticle zinc oxide has been classified as the least-damaging UV protector. That’s why SunButter SPF50 has been formulated to use this mineral.
Hopefully, we’ve provided some insight into why natural sunscreens are the best option. If you’ve got any more thoughts on this, then we would love to hear from you! Please don’t hesitate to send us a message.
Related Tag: vegan sunscreen
