As we shared in a previous post about chemicals in sunscreen, the last thing you want to do is expose yourself to damaging chemicals in the process of trying to protect your skin from the damages of UV rays. Despite the suncare industry making great strides, what with the growth of UV wear and expansion of sun protection brands, there still aren't as many organic sunscreen options.
One of the fewer times sunscreen made front page headlines was over the summer when hundreds of consumers complained that the natural sunscreen from Jessica Alba's The Honest Company was ineffective. These angry customers took to social media to share pictures of their burned skin, claiming the sunscreen didn't suitably protect their skin.
The question remains, are there organic, all-natural sunscreens on the market that truly work as well as those with chemicals?
The two natural ingredients most readily available in sunscreens are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. However, these ingredients are notorious for their white sheen and heavy odor. While it may be fine when you're at the beach, no one wants pasty, ghostly skin when they are heading to work or going out shopping.
Recently, scientists and skincare experts have taken to the books to discover more natural sunscreen options. While they can't serve as sunscreen on their own, they do boast some protection - anywhere from SPF 4 to 28. Some more natural brands will actually use these ingredients so they can use fewer synthetic UV filters. So, while we are stuck with some chemicals, we can reduce the potency.
Let's look at five ingredients that can boost your sun protection:
Raspberry Oil
We already know that raspberries are packed with minerals and vitamins, so it should come as no surprise that raspberry oil can help protect your skin from UV rays and keep your skin hydrated.
Aloe Vera
There can't be a natural ingredients list without aloe vera. This plant can do just about anything. Not only does it soothe skin if you get a burn, but new studies show that applying aloe vera gel 24 hours before sun exposure can help boost your skin's immune system.
Walnuts
Who knew that a tasty snack can actually help protect your skin against UVB rays? Walnuts also help your skin produce more melanin. This extra boost in protection is great for fair skin ladies.
Caffeine
Ah, the magic of caffeine. We drink it in the morning, we use it in our eye cream, and now we can use it in our skincare, as it's known to help the skin eliminate sun damaged cells.
Shea Butter
Like walnuts, shea butter can help boost the efficacy of UVB filters. And, of course, it provides excellent hydration and elasticity to the skin.
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