The push for sustainable beauty has permeated into all types of skincare products, especially sunscreen. We are all fully aware that sunscreen is meant to protect our skin by preventing sunburns, preventing skin damage, and reducing our chances of developing skin cancer. So what is the issue with regular sunscreen? For one, it’s downright impossible to make sense of the product formulas, unless you have a background in chemistry. In a culture that now demands full transparency on product ingredients and how they affect us, this will simply not cut it. Instead of guessing, why not switch to something safer? Making the switch to natural sunscreen can keep you protected from the sun, along with a host of other benefits.
What is Natural Sunscreen?
Natural sunscreen AKA mineral or physical sunscreen uses a core combination of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. When paired together, it will block and reflect the sun’s harmful rays far and away from your skin. Many natural sunscreen products, including our own formula, are void of potentially harmful chemicals such as parabens and phthalates. Many of the chemical sunscreens found at your local supermarket or drugstore may use ingredients like oxybenzone and avobenzone to absorb UV rays. Emerging research from the FDA has shown that after a single application of sunblock, the chemicals in it can be detected in the body at harmful levels.
More on the Potentially-Dangerous Ingredients in Chemical Sunscreen
As time has passed, a variety of studies have concluded that several ingredients in chemical sunscreen are red flags. Some of which include:
- Parabens: Parabens are artificial preservatives that can cause significant damage to the cells. They can also disrupt hormones in the body, affect fertility and reproductive organs, hinder birth outcomes, and may increase risk for cancer.
- Phthalates: These chemicals might make products more flexible in their structure, but when absorbed by the body it can be harmful.
Benefits Of using Natural Sunscreen Products
Using natural sunscreen could offer you many benefits. Here are some reasons for giving this alternative a shot:
1- Less Likely to Irritate Sensitive Skin
If you have sensitive skin, mineral skin could serve you well as the ingredients are not absorbed into the skin. Instead, the physical filters in the sunscreen will sit on the surface of the skin and act as a barrier against UV radiation. On the other hand, chemical sunscreens can cause photo-allergic contact dermatitis since the ingredients deeply penetrate into the epidermis.
2- Provides Instant Protection after immediate Application
Chemical sunscreens have to be absorbed by the skin, and need about 20-30 minutes to work. Mineral sunscreens are much more streamlined and work hard to physically screen the sun’s rays, meaning they provide instant protection as soon as they are applied.
3- Unlikely to Further Aggravate Acne-Prone Skin
Many acne sufferers avoid using sunscreen in fear of it exacerbating their conditions. This isn’t just mere conjecture, as chemical sunscreen can contribute to massive acne breakouts. With mineral formulas, there is still a possibility for aggravation. To counter this, we recommend looking for products that are “non-comedogenic”. Non-comedogenic products do not have the potential to clog pores.
Switching to Natural Sunscreen Products: Phoenix Chemical
Natural cosmetics, apart from being sustainable for our environment, also keep your personal health in mind. If you have any questions on our extensive list of cosmetic raw materials and how they can benefit you, contact us today! We’d love to educate you more on these matters.
