With the weather warming up, it's time to think about sunscreen!
Before you reach for the cheapest and/or biggest bottle at the pharmacy, have you ever thought about the chemicals in your sunscreen?
When it comes to sun protection – especially in Australia – we need to be extra vigilant about the strength and quality of the product we are applying to our skin.
Chemicals In Conventional Sunscreen
Conventional sunscreens are designed so that when UV rays hit the sunscreen the molecules in the compounds absorb the radiation through their chemical bonds. The components of the sunscreen then slowly break down and dissipate heat.
Every time you apply sunscreen, you have a chemical reaction taking place on your skin. However, while this is happening, there is the possibility that your skin will absorb chemicals that are linked to cancer and hormonal issues.
Ingredients to avoid in the more common sunscreens include Oxybenzone, Octocrylene and Octyl Methoxycinnamate. These chemicals can be absorbed by the skin and have been linked to hormone disruption. Oxybenzone is also damaging to our oceans and coral and has been banned in places like Hawaii.
So, what’s the solution?
Natural! Natural Sunscreens are made with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide – both of which are generally recognised as safe and effective (GRASE) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These natural minerals work immediately and don’t seep into your skin like other chemicals in conventional sunscreens.
Here at F&F, we believe that there’s no need to apply harsh chemicals to your skin to protect yourself from the sun’s rays; we stock some wonderful natural sunscreens for the face and body – and yes – they actually work!
A Great All-Rounder (For Face & Body)
Our Green + Kind SPF 50 Natural Sunscreen is our newest sunscreen addition to F&F and we are loving it. It provides broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection and is formulated with zinc oxide and avocado oil to protect and nourish the skin. It also comes in a tube made from sugar cane and is recyclable and is a member of 1% for the Planet.
SunButter is another favourite the whole family will love. It’s water-resistant for 4 hours, high protection, reef safe, cruelty-free, vegan, and comes packaged in a handy little plastic-free tin which is perfect to pop in your beach bag! This sunscreen uses zinc oxide as its active ingredient and is free from oxybenzone's and other harsh chemicals.
We also love the Simple As That SPF30 Sunscreen due to its non-greasy finish! This sunscreen has been specially formulated by a pharmacist to provide high protection from the sun, using zinc oxide as its active ingredient. This sunscreen contains Green Tea and Rosehip Oil as well as Raspberry Seed Oil.
An Everyday Facial Sunscreen
Our Wotnot Facial Sunscreen is a great option for everyday use. It’s a sunscreen, primer, and moisturiser in one. It’s SPF30, free from chemical UV absorbers, PEGS, parabens, artificial fragrances, and is made with Certified Organic Ingredients. With zinc oxide as its active ingredient, it also enriches the skin with aloe vera, jojoba oil and green tea extract to brighten the skin.
The Mukti Daily Moisturiser with Sunscreen and Mukti Tinted Moisturiser with Sunscreen are both SPF15, non-greasy, and reef safe. The zinc oxide-based formula provides protection from environmental factors whilst also providing sun protection. The latter combines Zinc Oxide with a light coverage pigment, doubles as a primer and evens out the skin tone.
We also have the wonderful Eco By Sonya Face Sunscreen. This sunscreen is lightweight, rubs in clear and is perfect to apply before makeup. It's non-comedogenic so it won't block pores, making it an excellent sunscreen for oily and acne-prone skin.
Sunscreen For The Little Ones
The Simple As That Sunscreen For Children was specially formulated for the delicate skin of children to provide high protection from the sun. Babies shouldn’t spend too much time in direct sunlight, but this wonderful sunscreen is gentle enough to use for them as well. This gentle sunscreen is made with zinc oxide, green tea, rosehip oil, and chamomile oil to nourish the skin.
Grahams Natural SunClear Sunscreen SPF40 is vegan and cruelty-free. It is formulated for all skin types, especially those with sensitive skin, dry skin, eczema, psoriasis and rosacea. It is UVA and UVB broad-spectrum with 2 hours water resistant and is free of harsh chemicals so no oxybenzone, octocrylene, parabens or SLS's. So if your child has sensitive skin, we highly recommend this one.
If you’re considering buying a new sunscreen, think natural and mineral-based first – your skin and long-term health will thank you for it.
Stay safe and have fun in the sun! You can shop all our sunscreen here.
For more information on sun safety and when you should apply sunscreen, take a look at the blogs below.
