Sunscreen season is here. We opt for the safest sun protection for ourselves and our little ones because chemical sunscreen is not the healthiest choice. And guess what, it’s not a day at the beach for marine life either.

My family and I took a vacation to Mexico a few years ago and did some snorkeling. Before we even set foot on the boat that would take us out to the reef where we’d get to see gorgeous fish and even a barracuda, the guides checked all of our sunscreen bottles and tubes.

No, they weren’t concerned with the number of SPF we’d chosen, but made sure everyone was using reef-friendly sunscreen. They even had a stand selling the stuff in case you’d toted along your chemical sun protection.

Chemical Sunscreen and Marine Life

Harmful chemical sunscreens, like oxybenzone and octinoxate, have a toxic effect on young coral, causing endocrine disruption, DNA damage, and death. Essentially, killing off coral.

Coral reefs support more species than any other marine environment. It is estimated that up to 14,000 tons of sunscreen washes off of swimmers, snorkelers, and scuba divers every year. Tons! That is huge exposure to these delicate and important ecosystems.

Even worse news, it only takes a small amount (the equivalent of a drop of water in six Olympic-sized pools!) to cause damage. Concentrations of oxybenzone in seawater near coral reef populated Hawaii and U.S. Virgin Islands have been estimated at 12 times what is needed to harm coral.

And it is not just the chemical sunscreen ingredients that are detrimental to the health of reefs. Synthetic preservatives, like parabens, have been linked to problems like coral bleaching.

Safe Sunscreen Ingredients

Zinc oxide is a mineral sunscreen that, unlike oxybenzone and other chemical sunscreens, dissolves in saltwater and eventually settles on the seafloor and becomes buried in sediment. This makes zinc a reef-friendly option.

Of course, it doesn’t stop with minerals. Choosing sun protection that is also free from other harmful ingredients, like synthetic preservatives and fragrance, and chemical emollients, is not only better for marine life but human bodies too.

Because sunscreen is important in protecting against premature aging and disease, we can’t simply go without during a day at the beach. The best way to protect coral reef life and ourselves at the same time is by using nontoxic mineral sunscreens. Water resistant options help sunscreen to stay on our bodies longer too.

Reef Safe Sunscreens for Days at the Beach

Here is a list of sunscreens that are made with zinc oxide and contain no parabens or other harmful ingredients. Reef safe claims are not regulated in the U.S. As with all cosmetic products, it is important to read beyond the front label, and check ingredient listings and brand information. All of the following sunscreens have been proven to be reef safe.

All Good: Makes A selection of sun protection for the whole family, from Sunsticks to Lip Balm. Broad spectrum and Sunscreen Butter is water resistant.

Badger Balm: This brand has been creating reef-friendly sunscreens since before we knew about the issue. A wide range of sun protection for the whole family in a variety of formulas. Active and Sport sunscreens are water-resistant and broad spectrum.

True Natural: Another extensive line of healthy sunscreens. This brand offers protection in a variety of SPFs and even a sunscreen stick for your beach loving pooch. All are broad spectrum and Sport Stick is water resistant.

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Image of woman snorkeling via Shutterstock

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Summer means lots of time spent enjoying the great outdoors. One drawback? This may mean sun spots. Learn how to lighten spots and brighten skin naturally.

Sunshine makes us feel good. Why does there have to be a downside? We know that overexposure means skin aging and can even lead to skin cancer. It also causes skin discoloration and those nasty dark spots we hate to see.

Obvi, the best way to deal with sun spots is to prevent them in the first place. Proper sun protection will help to ward off discoloration. Still, you may end up with a spot or two. Before you go running to the nearest laser spa or purchase a bullet proof concealer, read on.

It’s true. There are natural ingredients that do a great job of lightening spots and brightening skin. And most are gentle enough for sensitive skin. Regular use can help to lighten damage and get your glow back.

Natural Ingredients to Lighten Sun Spots (Plus Product Picks!)

Rosehip oil is nature’s Retin-A. It contains a healthy dose of retinol (Vitamin A)which is a great anti-ager and, you guessed it, skin lightener. Can be used on its own as a spot treatment or facial as part of a facial serum. One note of caution – when using a product that contains Vitamin A, avoid direct sunlight as it may form free radicals which accelerate skin aging and the spread of existing skin cancer. Dr. Alkaitis Organic Night Crème delivers this healing ingredient to skin while you sleep.

Vitamin C is another effective skin brightener. Try Dr. Alkaitis Organic Day Crème with Vitamin C complex to repair damage during the day. Aloe helps to soothe upset skin. This moisturizer is very light. For dry skin types, use in combination with a facial oil or serum.

Turmeric calms inflammation, slows skin aging, and promotes even skin tone. It also adds the lightest touch of natural glow. May Lindstrom Skin The Problem Solver is an antioxidant rich facial mask, which includes detoxifying charcoal, to bring skin back into balance.

Licorice Root extract lightens sun damage, hyperpigmentation, and lends overall brightness to skin. Also said to boost the mood, this ingredient is definitely worth a shot. Try Amala Rejuvenating Serum which also addresses anti-aging issues, decreasing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Can’t decide which of these fabulous ingredients to enlist first? No worries. The lovely RMS Beauty Oil contains Rosehip, Turmeric, Licorice, plus skin brightening Tamanu in a super light, divinely scented facial oil.

Seeing spots on backs of hands? Amala Hydrating Hand Cream contains Papaya Fruit extract. The fruit contains an enzyme called papain, said to boost cell turnover and brighten the skin.

Adequate SPF plus some of these natural power lighteners equal even, healthy skin. Now go enjoy your summer!

*Disclaimer: Help support EcoSalon! Our site is dedicated to helping people live a conscious lifestyle. We’ve provided some affiliate links above in case you wish to purchase any of these products.

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Image of bright skin girl in sun via Shutterstock

The post How to Lighten Sun Spots and Brighten Skin Naturally appeared first on EcoSalon.

You’ve got this whole mineral sunscreen thing. How difficult can it be? Mineral is safer than chemical, use a facial sunscreen on face, body sunscreen on body, choose your appropriate SPF/Broad Spectrum/Water Resistant option as needed, and make sure you use safe sunscreen ingredients. Off you go into the UV bathed sunset.

Then you wake up and realize you have an issue or two with your bare bones sunscreen selecting method. Are non-whitening sunscreens invisible even on darker complexions? Will your facial sunscreen give you zits or dry your skin out? What if your sensitive skin doesn’t like your sunscreen? Do you put foundation over or under your sunscreen? Is it okay to wear foundation with sunscreen, is that even done?

Yikes! You’ve gotten yourself into quite the sunscreen conundrum. Not to worry, we are here to help. Yes, mineral is the safe sunscreen choice. Yep, it is best to use products designed for face on your face. Sure, SPF and Broad Spectrum protection are valid concerns. And of course, avoid toxic chemicals.

But there are other concerns to take into account too. Like skin type and tone. You wouldn’t purchase any old facial moisturizer and expect to be happy with the results, would you? Of course not! You would make sure it is designed for your skin type. Same goes for makeup. A foundation has to match your skin tone and it is equally important to use a sunscreen that does the same.

Lucky for you, there are options. Products for every skin type and tone that provide serious UV protection. Oh, and you are going to love them.

Safe Sunscreens for Face by Skin Type

Oily/Acne: Consonant The Perfect Sunscreen SPF 30 is made with aloe and ultra light oils to provide non-greasy hydration and is fragrance-free, so ideal for sensitive skin too. Pratima Skincare Neem Rose Face Sunscreen SPF 30 provides anti-aging benefits in a light, breathable formula. Bonus product: Use Kahina Giving Beauty Serum while not in the sun for anti-aging benefits along with spot and sun damage diminishment, all in a breakout-proof formula.

Dry/Mature: A rich formula that absorbs into skin, True Natural Sunscreen: Face Broad Spectrum SPF 15 is perfect under makeup. Karen’s Botanicals Lovely Lavender Day Cream SPF 15 is thick and creamy, hydrating to mature skin, but also gentle enough for sensitive skin types. Bonus product: Get max anti-aging support with absolutely no irritation with Yuli Modern Alchemist.

Sensitive: RawSkinCeuticals Rosacea Day Cream SPF 30 is strong protection for delicate skin in a super mild formula. (Also see products marked sensitive in oily and dry categories) Bonus product: Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate Fruit & Seed Oil Blend calms and protects skin, while fading scars and spots. Perfect post-sun skin recoup.

Normal/Combo: Suntegrity Natural Moisturizing Face Sunscreen & Primer SPF 30 is a moisturizer, sunscreen, and makeup primer in one. Non-greasy and provides anti-aging benefits. Bonus product: Hailed as an anti-aging miracle, Tata Harper Rejuvenating Serum minimizes fine lines, improves texture and tone, and reduces inflammation.

Tinted Facial Sunscreens

Now about that makeup over or under sunscreen problem. How about nix the makeup and use a tinted, moisturizing sunscreen instead. If that sounds too good to be true, hold onto your bikini bottoms because these natural tinted mineral sunscreen moisturizers are going to makeover your summertime get ready sesh.

Suntegrity5-in- Natural Moisturizing Tinted Face Sunscreen SPF 30 offers high quality sun protection, super natural color, and feels great on skin. Use in place of your daily moisturizer and foundation for ultra natch UV protection with light coverage. These tints are so blendable, they easily match any skin tone. Suited to all skin types, especially good for mature, dry, and normal/combination.

Those with sensitive or oily skin will love Ilia Beauty Sheer Vivid Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20. A semi-matte facial moisturizer with mineral sun protection and easy to blend tint. Six natural shades to suit all skin tones.

*Disclaimer: Help support EcoSalon! Our site is dedicated to helping people live a conscious lifestyle. We’ve provided some affiliate links above in case you wish to purchase any of these products.

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Image of women having fun on the beach via Shutterstock

The post Safe Sunscreen for Every Skin Type and Tone appeared first on EcoSalon.

Chemical sunscreens, vitamin A, parabens, phthalates, petro-chems. At this point, it’s safe to say you know what you don’t want in a sunscreen. But have you thought about what you do want in a natural sunscreen?

It is not just about avoiding this nasty chemical or that risky ingredient. Think of sunscreen as you do skincare. You wouldn’t buy any old facial or body product just because it was free from harmful ingredients, right? Same goes for sunscreen. What you really want is optimum protection that also offers healthy ingredients in a product that suits your skin.

Sound like a dream? Not with natural sunscreens. High quality, nontoxic SPF products are designed with the betterment of your skin in mind. Brands dedicated to safety in cosmetics don’t just put up sunscreen that sounds healthy. They walk the talk, using nourishing, anti-aging, antioxidant ingredients to nurture and support skin.

It is not difficult to find information on what you should avoid in sunscreens. We know that chemical sunscreens oxybenzone and octinoxate can cause hormonal disruption and allergic reaction. We’ve heard plenty about vitamin A and its link to accelerated tumor growth when exposed to sunlight. And the usual synthetic suspects? We can see those coming a mile away.

We are talking about ingredients you do want to see when perusing sun protection product ingredient listings. Healthy plant oils, butters, and extracts that hydrate skin. Protective antioxidants and natural anti-aging ingredients to ward off further UV damage. There are even some natural plant ingredients with SPF.

Mineral Sunscreen Ingredients

So, what are these highly beneficial ingredients to look for? Let’s start at the top. Mineral sunscreens, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, are much safer than chemical sunscreens and provide far better protection against both UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays penetrate to deeper layers of skin and are responsible for more serious damage, like premature aging and skin cancer. UVB rays affect the top layers of skin and are the ones associated with sunburn.

Chemical sunscreens work by absorbing into the skin, allowing UVA rays to reach deeper layers. Common chemical sunscreen ingredients are oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate. All have been detected in human urine and/or breast milk, and most are linked to hormonal disruption and allergic reaction.

Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are derived from chalky minerals with reflective properties. Zinc is often used on its own in sunscreen products, while titanium dioxide is generally used in combination with zinc. Titanium dioxide has come under scrutiny by some critics as having health risks when inhaled. The FDA is currently doing more research on the health risks and effectiveness of spray and powder form sunscreens. For now, we advise staying with creams, lotions, butters, and stick sunscreens.

Mineral sunscreens provide a physical barrier on top of skin, providing immediate, effective protection and are less likely to cause allergic reaction. A much safer choice over chemical sunscreen ingredients. All products listed in our guide are mineral sunscreens.

Moisturizing Ingredients

Sun and wind tend to be drying, so hydration is key even in hot, humid months of summer. Sunscreens made with rich plant butters and oils keep skin supple and help to hold in natural moisture. Shea butter, mango butter, and sunflower seed oil contain fatty acids and skin-supportive vitamins, to soften and moisturize dry skin.

Try these moisturizing sunscreens:

True Natural Sunscreen: Face Broad Spectrum SPF 15 Unscented
Goddess Garden Facial Natural Sunscreen
Goddess Garden Everyday Natural Sunscreen Lotion

Calming Ingredients

Strong ingredients and sun exposure can upset delicate skin. Skin calming ingredients protect and soothe at the same time. Aloe vera lightly hydrates and soothes skin. Cucumber cools and reduces puffiness. Chamomile is ultra mild and helps to tone down redness or irritation.

Try these calming sunscreens:

Badger Balm Sunscreen Cream SPF 30 – Chamomile & Calendula
The Honest Co. SPF 30 Sunscreen
Erbaviva Sunscreen SPF 30

Balancing Ingredients

Sunscreen can present a whole new dilemma for those dealing with excess oil or acne. You don’t want to use a greasy moisturizer that could leave you with breakouts, but going unprotected is out of the question. Naturally balancing ingredients that offer antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties are best for this skin type. Rosemary is naturally antibacterial to help keep skin clear. Turmeric calms inflammation and evens skin tone. Light oils, like coconut and jojoba, offer oil-balancing hydration that won’t overwhelm oily skin.

Try these balancing sunscreens:

DeVita Solar Protective Moisturizer SPF 30+
Ilia Beauty Sheer Vivid Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20
100% Pure Green Tea Oil Free Hydration SPF 30

Firming Ingredients

Yes, you can have your sun protection and anti-aging benefits too. Products made with natural anti-agers, like hyaluronic acid and green or red algae, support skin and diminish the appearance of discoloration. Antioxidant rich pomegranate oil and green tea prevent further damage.

Try these firming sunscreens: 

Suntegrity Natural Moisturizing Face Sunscreen & Primer SPF 30
Suntegrity Skincare Natural Mineral Sunscreen For Body SPF 30
DeVita Solar Body Moisturizer SPF 30+

*You can check out and shop all of the sunscreens here:

image of woman on beach via Shutterstock

*Disclaimer: help support ecosalon! Our site is dedicated to helping people live a conscious lifestyle. We’ve provided some affiliate links above in case you need to purchase any of the products.

The post Healthy Sunscreen Ingredients: What You Want in an SPF appeared first on EcoSalon.

When the summer heat is on, sun protection is a must. But how do you determine a truly safe sunscreen from the many options out there?

Recently, the northeastern seaboard turned into a giant microwave oven, searing its occupants with 90-degree plus weather and, I’m pretty sure, 10,000 percent humidity. With sunscreen and summer still a novel concept, people frolicked care-free in the sun in madras pants and flowing dresses. I was one of them. Spending almost the entirety of Saturday in the sun, I diligently applied and reapplied my favorite certified organic sunscreen.

What happened? While my sunscreen held up, my applications skills did not. A bright red splotch still beams from the top of my foot. A streak of angry red runs along my neckline. There are actual thumb prints on my knees. I am an excellent walking public service announcement for why sunscreen matters.

Sun safety is paramount, and this includes safe sunscreen options. What do we mean by safe? As we recently outlined, some ingredients in conventional sunscreens might act as suspected hormone-disruptors and support the acceleration of tumors and lesions. Suddenly, a little sunburn doesn’t seem so bad—except sunburns, of course, may cause skin cancer.

Luckily, the safety-conscious sun worshippers among us have options. The Environmental Working Group recently released their 2013 Guide to Sunscreens, outlining their picks of the best sunscreen and SPF products on the market. This list includes 184 beach and sports sunscreen, as well as 22 moisturizers containing SPF.

Which ones to pick? We’d sign off on any of them, as well as these EcoSalon-approved protectors. Here are five of our favorite sunscreens from the EWG’s 2013 compilation.

1. John Masters Organics Natural Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 ($32.00)

From organic specialist John Masters Organics come this lovely, lightweight sunscreen suitable for all skin types. With titanium dioxide and zinc oxide offering a broad spectrum protection, it also acts as an excellent moisturizer. Made with extracts of green tea, shea butter and jojoba oil hydrate, this certified organic product is biodegradable and reef-friendly. The EWG gives it a 2 (a 1 is the highest rating), citing excellent sunscreen stability and a good UVA/UVB balance of protection.

2. Miessence Reflect Outdoor Balm, SPF 15 ($29.45)

This mineral sunscreen offers up a solid chemical-free protection. Acting as a physical sunblock that bounces the sun’s rays off your skin (chemical sunscreens absorb it), this balm brings an intense 22 percent zinc oxide protection. It also contains natural vitamin E, the gold-standard ingredient for skin health. The EWG gives it an overall rating of 2, citing an excellent balance of UVA/UVB protection and stability.

3. Aveeno Baby Natural Protection Face Stick SPF 50 ($9.99)

Aveeno—yes, that Aveeno—offers up this easy-to-use sun protection in a handy stick. Using titanium dioxide and zinc oxide for its protection, this product is both oil and fragrance free. The EWG gives it a rating of a 2, citing excellent sunscreen stability and good UVA protection. Who knew the aisle at your local drug store could be so EWG-friendly?

4. DeVita Solar Protective Moisturizer SPF 30+ ($20.76)

One of the best trends in sunscreen is light protection that doesn’t make you feel like a 1970s lifeguard smearing white streaks of zine oxide on her nose. (Though, 40 years later, said lifeguard likely has a lovely, sun-protected nose.) I, for one, am so adverse to that oily sunscreen feeling that I’d rather walking around in a personal radiation suit. So, three cheers for the moisturizer plus sunscreen from DeVita Solar. Given a rating of a 1 from the EWG, it offers up excellent UVA protection, as well as sunscreen stability.

5. Episencial Sunscreen SPF 35 ($15.00)

For “ages 0-150 years,” this broad spectrum sunscreen offers up a light, water-resistant protection. Made with organic green tea and zinc, it can be worn in the water (or sprinklers!) for up to 80 minutes. The EWG gives it the highest rating of a 1, citing its excellent stability, as well as good UVA and UVB balance.

Photo: Flickr/M00by

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