SPF – Natural vs. Chemical
It’s sun season. The beach beckons, with sun-kissed white sands, swaying palms, and azure waters. Time to get out and enjoy some downtime, right?
Not so fast.
First, you need to make sure you’ve got a way to protect your skin from damaging UV-A and UV-B rays – you know, the parts of sunlight that cause sunburn and increase your risk of developing skin cancer. You also need to choose the right formulation. A non-chemical SPF formulation is better than a conventional, chemical-based SPF product. Why, though?
What Is SPF, Anyway?
If you read the sunscreen bottle, you’ll see three little letters followed by a number – SPF 35, for instance. SPF stands for “sun protection factor”, and the number tells you how long the product will protect you from burning.
Why Choose Natural SPF Protection Rather Than Chemicals?
Sunscreens use active ingredients that act as shields against damaging sun rays. Those active ingredients can be chemicals, or they can be natural minerals. They both do the same job, but they are not created equal.
Chemicals – Chemical SPF ingredients do protect your skin from sunlight, but they may have the potential to cause harm to you and/or your family. Chemicals used include oxybenzone, octinoxate, octisalate, avobenzone, and others. At least one medical study has found that these chemicals can enter into the bloodstream once they’ve absorbed into the skin, where they act as endocrine disruptors.
These chemicals are not just harmful to the human body. They are also incredibly dangerous for the world around us. Many of them have been found to kill corals and damage the reproductive capabilities of many fish species. Even just a few minutes in the water is sufficient for enough sunscreen to wash off that it will cause damage.
Minerals – Mineral sunscreens, like our own SunPearls SPF 35, do not contain harmful chemicals. Instead, the filtering is done by minerals like zinc oxide. When dissolved in water, these minerals do not cause harm to sea life. Likewise, they don’t cause harm in the human body, either, meaning that you’re protecting your skin while preventing the potential for serious damage over time.
Finding the Right Natural Sunscreen
Finding the right natural SPF ingredients can be challenging, because not all manufacturers use the same ones. There are two primary options on the market – titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. It is also important that your sunscreen be able to offer additional benefits, such as replacing the vitamin D3 that your body would naturally produce when exposed to sunlight.
In addition to the ingredients, you’ll want to make sure that any natural SPF product you choose is 100% waterproof. Many formulations are not, or they are only waterproof after a very lengthy absorption period. A sunscreen that washes right off the body does you little good, as even a little bit of sweat may be enough to eliminate your protection.
Conclusion
Ultimately, natural SPF ingredients are better for you and your skin, and they’re also better for the environment. It’s the total package. However, not all products that claim “natural” ingredients really live up to their promise. At Tahitian Pearl, we never compromise on quality, performance, or protection. Our SunPearls SPF 35 is no exception to that mission.
Time for FUN in the SUN! https://tahitianpearlskincare.com/product/sunpearls-spf-35/
XOXOXOXOX
Your Pearl Fam
Source:
http://www.snf.ch/SiteCollectionDocuments/nfp/nfp50/nfp50_article_chimia_2008_345.pdf
https://www.shape.com/lifestyle/beauty-style/natural-mineral-sunscreen-vs-chemical-sunscreen
https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/report/the-trouble-with-sunscreen-chemicals/
https://www.icriforum.org/sites/default/files/ICRI_Sunscreen_0.pdf
https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/endocrine/index.cfm
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