Natural sunscreens

By using 100% natural sunscreens you don't have to damage your skin with chemicals, when all you wanted to do was avoid getting sun burnt. Many people are now turning to natural sunscreens for this reason. Sunscreen formulas today use ingredients that are approved by various health authorities across the globe. These ingredients are either mineral or chemical. Formulas will use many combinations of these chemical or physical sunscreens and sometimes a combination of both. However, it is possible to use mineral sunscreens only, which are 100% natural, provide high level protection from both UVA and UVB rays and where Zinc Oxide is concerned, provide excellent healing qualities as well.

Sunscreen regulations

Sunscreens are approved by various authorities in the world such as the Food and Drug and Administration (FDA) in the USA, or the Australian Govt Dept Health and Aging, Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). There are sunscreen regulations that apply in Japan, the United States, Canada, the European Union, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, South Korea, China and Thailand. Formulas for sunscreen lotions, gels, sprays or creams are made from one of these sunscreens listed, or a combination of a few of them. Harmonization has still not been achieved either in the composition of approved sunscreen formulas or in the maximum content of these approved individual sunscreen ingredients within the formulas.

Natural, mineral sunscreen

The mineral sunscreens within these lists that are approved globally consist of just 2:

• Zinc Oxide
• Titanium Dioxide 

They are both considered to be natural, as by definition they exist in, or are caused by nature and are not made or caused by humankind. They are relatively pure in that the only processing that occurs is the cleaning out of all other impurities.

So, for those people looking for healthier options in their personal care, the natural sunscreen option is increasingly appealing.

Toxic chemical sunscreens

Medical studies have found the following commonly used sunscreen ingredients to be potentially harmful because they act as endocrine disrupters, which means that these ingredients trick the body into treating them as natural hormones, leading to possible reproductive problems...

• Homosalate
• Octyl-dimenthyl-PABA
• Parabens
• Benzophenone-3
• Butyl-methoxydibenzoylmethane
• Octyl-methoxycinnamate
• 4-methyl-benzylidene camphor

Parabens are the most commonly used preservatives and they act in a similar way.

Non-toxic, natural sunscreen options

Because of findings such as these, consumers are now putting their trust in sunscreens with natural ingredients that are free of harsh chemicals or toxic effects. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are replacing traditional chemical ingredients. Also of huge importance is the fact that they provide protection from both UVA and UVB rays.

Many brands of natural sunscreens also include the use of botanical extracts and antioxidants that provide great benefits to the health of the skin and boost the body's own natural abilities to combat damage from the sun. Many of these botanical extracts have delved into the use of plants through centuries of cultural tradition. Ancient cultural remedies are being tested in science laboratories and universities in various places in the world and the healing qualities of plants are being re-discovered in modern science. Eg. Kigelia extract is being used in many cosmetic creams for its skin healing qualities.

So there is much benefit to be had by doing the homework and research to look for natural sunscreens, preferably with additional organic ingredients. You can search for special natural sunscreens online or at your local store. If you have any questions about what type of sunscreen would be best for you or your family, you can talk to your doctor or dermatologist or explore this website.