Have you been concerned about the chemicals that you and your children may absorb into your body by using sunscreen? Are you worried that “natural” sunscreens won’t offer enough protection?
4 reasons to choose a mineral sun cream this summer
If you know us at Vibrant Life, you’ll know we are passionate about empowering people to make choices for long term healthy living. This of course includes taking care of your body physically, managing mental and emotional stress and being conscious of what you put into and onto your body.
Any products that you use on your body (think skin, hair and teeth), will penetrate your skin and enter your blood stream. Some of the most chemical laden products we use are those we choose to protect ourselves from the sun at this time of year.
We would like to share with you 4 reasons why choosing a mineral sun cream over a chemical sun cream could be better for you and better for the environment.
1. Mineral sunscreens come without many of the potentially harmful effects of chemical sunscreen.
These two sun screens work in different ways. Chemical sun creams penetrate the skin and rely on chemically based UV filters to dissipate the suns rays. The problem is that some of these chemicals have been associated not only with skin irritation in sensitive people but also serious issues like hormone disruption and cancer.
Mineral sun creams sit on top of the skin and block or reflect the suns UV rays using naturally derived ingredients like zinc oxide, that are safer for use on people of all ages. Mineral sunscreens are generally very stable in UV light.
2. Mineral sun creams offer good protection from both UVA and UVB rays.
It can be confusing to find the right sunscreen and with so many on offer you may just assume that the higher the SPF the better the sun screen. The Sun Protection Factor or SPF is a rating given to indicate protection from UVB rays only. Any SPF above 30 can only be achieved by adding chemicals or nano particles to the lotion that are absorbed into the skin and blood stream.
Any sun protection using more natural ingredients will only ever be labelled SPF 30 maximum. You would not be alone if you have assumed that you are getting almost twice the amount of protection from an SPF 50 as an SPF 30. However, this is not exactly true. SPF 50 should offer 98% block of UVB rays. Compared to a 97% block for SPF 30.
3. Mineral sun creams are a better choice for the environment.
In recent years there has been evidence to show that the chemical oxybenzone which is commonly used in chemical sun creams causes bleaching of coral reefs. The chemicals in sun creams have also been shown to affect hormones in marine animals.
Two commonly used mineral filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are considered safer and less harmful alternatives. Better for you and better for the environment.
4. Mineral sun creams provide immediate protection from the sun. Because mineral sun creams form a physical barrier they give you protection from harmful UVA and UVB rays from the time you put them on. It is recommended that chemical sun creams are applied before sun exposure and entering the sea or pool to give them time to be absorbed into the skin to become effective.
And finally, if you think that using a mineral sun cream will leave you looking covered in a thick white film think again! New formulations are now easily applied with the latest developments in zinc oxide plus beneficial ingredients leave your skin soft and natural looking.
We have tried and tested Arbonne’s fun sun and can highly recommend it for a natural, safe option for this summer’s holiday fun.
Click here to view Fun Sun suncream