It seems that in our increasingly health-conscious society, most of us know something about the long-term risks of sun exposure. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the US, and all three types of skin cancer (squamous, basal, and melanoma) have been associated in some way or another with sun damage. However, some may not realize that sun exposure actually does not need to be very prolonged at all to begin causing damage to the skin. According to the CDC, the sun’s UV rays can begin damaging your skin in as little as 15 minutes, while it may take much longer than that for you to notice the full effects.
Obviously, proper use of sunscreen is one way to help ensure that your skin remains healthy and undamaged from sun exposure. Nevertheless, the type of sunscreen you use may also have health consequences. Despite the fact that they may protect you from the sun, some sunscreen products include oxybenzone, avobenzone, parabens, and other chemicals that may also have negative health effects. You can consult an infographic regarding 12 potentially harmful chemicals your skin may be absorbing at What Toxic Chemicals is Your Body Absorbing-Infographic.
Using natural sunscreen products can help ensure that your skin stays safe from the sun as well as from potentially harmful chemicals. However, even sunscreen products that claim to be natural may still contain certain potentially harmful substances.
Below are 5 natural sun protection products designed for different types of uses that are some of the purer options on the market.
Included in the description of each product is the rating they receive from the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep® database. The lower the rating, the less toxic the product is assessed to be. In its assessment, the database gives a 0-2 rating to products with a low toxicity hazard , a 3-6 rating to moderately hazardous products, and a 7-10 rating to highly hazardous products.
1.TerraSport Spray 30 SPF Sunscreen for Active Lifestyles by All Terrain
Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep® Toxicity Rating: 1/10
TerraSport Spray for Active Lifestyles has a high SPF and offers broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection.
This product is great for those who spend a good deal of time in the water over the summer, as well as those who live a generally active lifestyle, as it is formulated to be especially water and sweat resistant. Specifically designed for watersports, TerraSport Spray for Active Lifestyles is actually effective after 80 minutes in the water. The water resistant properties of this product also cause help it to continue working even while you’re perspiring, unless, perhaps, you sweat more than the equivalent amount of water one might be in contact with while playing water polo for 80 minutes…
The pump spray on this product makes application rather easy and prevents excessive mess as well.
2. Sol Guard SPF 8 by Caribbean Solutions
Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep® Toxicity Rating: 2/10
Sol Guard SPF 8 by Caribbean Solutions is designed to offer UVA and UVB protection while allowing some UV exposure for a gradual tan.
For those who like to their sunscreen to provide additional benefits for the skin, this product includes a number of natural ingredients such as organic aloe leaf, cucumber extracts, organic jojoba and other tropical plant extracts for skin moisturization. It also includes green coffee bean. This product is also water resistant, another plus.
3. Natural Sun SPF 30+ Green Tea Sunscreen by Aubrey Organics
Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep® Toxicity Rating: 2/10
This all-natural product is meant for those who don’t really have tanning in mind and just want strong, natural protection from the sun. Along with other herbal emollients, it is formulated with green tea for its antioxidant properties.
Natural Sun SPF 30+ Green Tea Sunscreen by Aubrey Organics is intended to provide strong protection while still being sensitive enough for kids and for adults who simply have sensitive skin. For those who prefer a product that is unscented and specifically designed for sensitive skin, Aubrey Organics offers another great natural sunscreen as well.
4. Natural Sunscreen SPF 30 by Beyond Coastal
Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep® Toxicity Rating: 2/10
This product is another natural sunscreen option offering a high SPF for strong protection from the sun.
Natural Sunscreen SPF 30 by Beyond Coastal is designed to moisturize and nourish the skin too, as it also contains Aloe, Shea Butter and vitamins A, C, and E. Like other sunscreens in this list, this product also includes antioxidants: Yerba Mate and Green Tea.
To prevent excessive mess and unsightliness after application, this product is formulated to be transparent, non-greasy, and fast absorbing.
5. Â TerraSport FaceStick Skin Protectant w/SPF 28 by All Terrain
Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep® Toxicity Rating: 1/10
Another All Terrain product, this one is comes in a stick for easy application on the face.
A great feature about this product is that it is designed to offer the face more than just protection from the sun. It is meant to protect the face from the wind and cold and helps to prevent chafed, chapped, and cracked skin. Therefore, this product is great for year-round use.
Also, because this product is designed for the face, it is formulated to be eye-safe. It is designed to prevent eye sting for kids and athletes who may potentially get the sunscreen in their eyes.
There are a variety of great options for skin protection over the summer that do not include the potentially harmful chemicals that many common sunscreen products include.
Hopefully this list will offer you a sense of the variety of products out there so you can find a natural product that best suits your needs over the summer.
If you have any suggestions for natural sun protection products that have worked for you, feel free to comment below.
