WHAT'S MINERAL SUNSCREEN?

Not all sunscreens are created equal.

Our bodies need vitamin D the sun provides, but there are definitely certain times when we should avoid direct sun in the summer.

If you are in the sun for prolonged periods of time, you may be applying sunscreen a few times a day. Considering how much we wear, it's important to understand what we are putting on our bodies, and ultimately absorbing into our blood stream.

Conventional / chemical creams available in Big Box retailers, that smell like coconut or perfume, use chemical blockers. Usually some combination of oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and/or octinoxate. Remember, if you can smell them strongly it means a chemical was used. With any creams, unless it's essential oils or essence of fruit and flowers organically grown - you are applying chemicals.

These active ingredients absorb the sun’s UV rays into your skin and through a chemical reaction, dissipates the UV. Oxybenzone, has been linked with a higher risk of endometriosis in women, skin allergies and aggravates acne. These chemical soups can cause hormone disruptions and cell damage. Oxybenzone & Octinoxate have also been scientifically proven to bleach the coral reef and are now banned in Australia.

Given that oxybenzone is added to nearly 65 percent of the non-mineral sunscreens, we really need to consider alternatives.

Mineral-based creams use physical blockers -zinc oxide and titanium dioxide- which create an actual physical barrier on your skin to reflect BOTH UVA and UVB rays. This means nothing is absorbed into the skin and zinc-oxide and titanium-oxide are minerals naturally found in our ground. They are also REEF SAFE.

In the past, zinc had a reputation for being a thick white cream not absorbed into the skin- but times have changed!

Now easily applied they "move" along your skin like any other cream, some even come tinted to be worn as a light make up foundation. They are breathable, waterproof and don't come with a heavy perfume smell. There is no down time with mineral sunscreen as it is effective immediately, while chemical sunscreens need 20-30 mins to be absorbed prior to sun exposure. People prone to acne breakouts can rest assured that minerals allow the skin to breath allowing it to stay cooler and less aggravated.

Mineral based sunscreens are safe for you and your family.

The choice seems clear - avoid heavy chemicals, apply instant protection - Use Mineral Based Sun protection!

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