As the thermometer climbs and we see more sun each day, it’s time to (sigh) reach for the sunscreen. 

As we all know by now, UV rays cause skin damage, accelerate aging and skin cancer. While there is some debate as to whether sunscreen prevents skin cancer,  it does, at the very least, reduce the incidence of sunburn and slows photo aging   caused by too much UV exposure. That said, some sun exposure is important to help your body produce vitamin D, so total avoidance is also not advised.

The key here is to prevent sunburn and skin damage while avoiding a slew of  chemicals used in many sunscreens that may pose significant health risks.  The most commonly used active chemical UV absorbers are Oxybenzone, Octyl / Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate (Octinoxate), Homosalate, Octisalate, Octocrylene, and Avobenzone.  The biggest offender is Oxybenzone, which has been shown to cause cellular changes, developmental and reproductive toxicity, allergies, immunotoxicity, and organ toxicity. It also tends to be persistent in the body and accumulate over time. Oxybenzone also acts as a penetration enhancer, which means it, and other less than desirable ingredients in the formula such as parabens, may be more readily absorbed by the skin. Translation?  Steer clear.

While a few of these chemical UV absorbers do rate a low risk level on the EWG’s cosmetics database, I still prefer to avoid them, opting for a mineral physical block instead. Part of the challenge of mineral sunscreens, though, is the ‘suck factor’ in using them.  They’re hard to put on, spread and get rubbed in, they’re uncomfortable to wear in warm weather, they’re tend to be sticky or really greasy, and often, they leave you looking chalky, which no doubt isn’t your preferred poolside look.  The solution?  A spray.

Spray sunscreens tend to lead to better compliance because the ‘suck factor’ is significantly reduced by lighter weight formulations that are easier to apply, spread and rub in.  They also tend to be more comfortable to wear in warm weather than their heavier, cream-based counterparts. But, a truly non-toxic spray sunscreen is hard to come by, since the only two options in the non-chemical realm are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide–minerals that act as physical UV blockers that reflect the sun instead of absorb it.

Ideally, you want to avoid products that use nano-sized minerals  as well, which are small enough to be absorbed into the blood stream or inhaled, which some feel post health risks. If a spray is what you want, your best bet is a non-nano sized, zinc oxide based formula, and honestly, there aren’t many out there. Here are the top 3 we’ve found:

1.  All Terrain Terra Sport SPF 30.  The winner here, this lightweight, easy to use formula is perfect for everyday use when spending long hours outdoors sweating, swimming and sporting. Proven to be highly water resistant, it’s also proven to still be effective after 80 minutes in the water, and is virtually sweat proof.  Uses 19 percent non-nano, transparent zinc oxide for UVA and UVB protection at 30 SPF, and won’t leave you looking chalky and white, though you will be a little shiny.  Free of fragrance and any other potentially harmful chemicals and it doesn’t sting the eyes if it happens to get in them.

2.  Aubrey Organics Unscented Natural Sun SPF 30. Made using 15 percent zinc oxide for broad spectrum UV protection, this spray lotion comes in a hand squeeze trigger bottle for easy of application. Highly moisturizing, it’s also water-resistant for up to 40 minutes of swimming and perspiring and free from any concerning chemicals. Virtually scent free other than the natural smell of the ingredients, it’s a great option for those who really prefer something with very little odor.

3.  Goddess Garden Kids Natural SPF & Continuous Spray. This continuous spray, 94 percent certified organic formula is super easy to apply to hard to reach places when you don’t have anyone on hand to get your back, so to speak. Made using sheer 6.4 percent titanium dioxide and 6 percent zinc oxide, it provides broad spectrum SPF of 30, but not quite as much protection as the higher concentration of zinc oxide in the All Terrain. It’s made using gluten-free, vegan and non-GMO ingredients.  The non-aerosol container is fully recyclable and it’s made in the USA.

Have fun in the sun, but keep your skin safe and remember to reapply any sunblock after any time spent in the water or sweating, despite claims of water resistance. Better safe than lobster.

 Top image: Youthful Sins

The post Top 3 All Natural, Mineral Spray Sunscreens appeared first on EcoSalon.

Not all sunscreens are created equal.

Every summer for the past decade, the media has issued staunch advisories reminding consumers to wear sunscreen. But this year, their tone has changed. Studies are showing that not only are many sunscreens filled with potentially harmful chemicals, but also that sunscreen wearers can actually be more susceptible to dangerous skin cancer strains like melanoma. Too much time in the sun can increase the risk of damage, but too little can lead to vitamin D deficiencies. What gives? This week’s Behind The Label attempts to explain the current debate around sunscreen, just in time for Skin Cancer Awareness Month.

The Good

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, more than two million people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year, a scary statistic that doctors and dermatologists say can be prevented through regular use of broad-spectrum sunscreen.

Broad-spectrum sunscreens are formulated to block two kinds of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun: UVA rays, which are associated with premature aging and skin damage, and UVB rays, which are linked with sunburns. The SPF level of a sunscreen specifies its level of protection against UVB: an SPF of 15 filters out about 93 percent of incoming UVB rays, while an SPF of 50 keeps out approximately 98 percent. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, most SPF 15 sunscreens do a sufficient job of protecting against UVB rays, but the added protection provided by sunscreens over SPF 50 is negligible.

It’s UVA rays that are trickier to understand and protect against. UVA rays penetrate the skin more deeply than UVB rays, damaging skin cells in the basal layer of the epidermis where most skin cancers occur. Sunscreens marked “broad spectrum”, “multi spectrum” or “UVA/UVB protection” usually contain UVA-blocking ingredients like stabilized avobenzone, ecamsule, oxybenzone, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide.

And now, those sunscreens will be easier to decipher thanks to a set of new regulations passed by the Food and Drug Administration last December. The new regulations introduce restrictions on using the terms “broad spectrum,” “waterproof,” and “sweatproof,” and it requires that any sunscreen under SPF 15 be labeled with a warning that reads. “Skin Cancer/Skin Aging Alert: Spending time in the sun increases your risk of skin cancer and early skin aging. This product has been shown only to help prevent sunburn, not skin cancer or early skin aging.” 

The Bad

Despite better labeling standards, the Environmental Working Group’s 2013 Guide to Safer Sunscreens, released earlier this year, cautions consumers against taking manufacturer claims at face value. The annual review found “only minimal improvements” in products on the shelves and concludes that “many sunscreens available on the U.S. market do not filter sun-damaging rays safely and effectively.”

The guide reports that melanoma rates have tripled over the past 35 years, despite the fact that Americans seem to be more aware of the sun’s dangers. The EWG believes that one reason for this paradox may be misleading sunscreen marketing – “hype that causes people to believe, wrongly, that their products are blocking harmful rays.”

While the FDA’s new regulations may help to mitigate the hype, the EWG points out that the FDA’s criteria are weak compared to European Union standards. “Half of the U.S. sunscreens that meet the FDA rules would not make it to store shelves in Europe,” states the report.

Then, there’s the recent obsession with high SPFs, which can lead consumers to believe that they can stay in the sun longer than usual. But while a high SPF sunscreen can effectively block against UVB rays, they do nothing for skin-damaging, cancer-causing UVA rays. The European Union already levies a cap on SPF claims at 50+, and the FDA is considering a proposal to do the same.

And finally, there is the preponderance of potentially harmful chemicals present in conventional sunscreens. A form of vitamin A called retinyl palmitate (or retinol) is present in 20 percent of sport sunscreens and has been linked to the acceleration of skin tumors and lesions when exposed to the sun, according to the EWG. Oxybenzone, found in 80 percent of chemical sunscreens, is a suspected hormone disruptor.

The Skin Cancer Foundation maintains that both retinyl palmitate and oxybenzone are safe and effective when used as directed, and that claims otherwise are based on “questionable science that is not properly reviewed by experts in the field of photo medicine.”

So What Now?

Look for broad-spectrum mineral sunscreens.

One thing that the Environmental Working Group and Skin Cancer Foundation can agree on is the continued need to include sunscreen as part of a comprehensive sun safety plan. But not all sunscreens are created equal. U.S. consumers have the choice between chemical sunscreens, which penetrate the skin and may contain hormone disruptors, and mineral sunscreens, which often contain micronized particles of zinc or titanium, which are suspected to be toxic if absorbed. While each option has its chemical downside, the EWG recommends broad-spectrum mineral sunscreens as the safest option, since they don’t appear to penetrate the skin, are stable in sunlight, and offer superior UVA protection. Check out EcoSalon’s list of Eco-Beauty Approved Sun Care Products for our recommendations, or the EWG’s 2013 Guide to Safer Sunscreens report for a full list of the 180 products that met its criteria this year.

Stock up on European formulations.

Unlike the United States, the European Union requires that all sunscreens offer UVA protection that is at least a third as potent as its SPF – meaning that if a sunscreen is SPF 30, its UVA protection must be at least 10. Europe allows manufacturers to use seven chemicals specifically designed to filter UVA rays; the U.S., in comparison, has only approved three. According to the EWG, three chemicals – Tinosorb S, Tinsorb M, and Mexoryl SX – are effective in blocking against UVA rays, but their use in America has been held up by delayed FDA approvals.

Apply enough.

Make sure that you’re applying at least one ounce (two tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body, a half hour before going into the sun. Reapply every two hours, or after swimming or sweating.

Dress appropriately.

That means dark clothing, a broad rimmed hat, and UV-blocking sunglasses. Some performance activewear lines also include sun protection, such as prAna.

Avoid sunlight during peak hours.

Seek shade between the sun’s peak hours, generally between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Sun exposure during this time can be particularly harmful.

Get a free skin cancer screening.

The Skin Cancer Foundation sponsors the annual Road to Healthy Skin Tour each May at Rite Aid Pharmacy locations across America. For this year’s dates, visit skincancer.org.

Images: Robert S. Donovan, nemuneko.jc 

The post Behind The Label: The Safe Sunscreen Debate appeared first on EcoSalon.

Consider these six EcoSalon-approved sunscreens for a safe summer glow.

Our relationship with the sun can be akin to hanging out with an ex-boyfriend or girlfriend. There was a time when he or she warmed you to the tips of your fingers. But if you let your guard down, you were toast. Consequently, it’s time for us to rise up and reclaim our defenses, and keep our outer layer of skin intact. The essential rules to sun care are simple. Hats, clothing, and shade are key in your defense against ultraviolet rays. Sunscreen remains an essential component in preserving our skins, but we have to be careful with which brands we’re slathering on.

Foremost, do not be lured into a false sense of security of sunscreen – aka spending the entire day in the sun with only one application, then expressing bewilderment that you’re burned. Be sure to reapply it every 90 minutes while you are in the sun, more if you are sweating or swimming. Look for both UVA and UVB protection. (Ultraviolet A is linked to skin cancer, while ultraviolet B causes sunburns.) And be sure to investigate whether its ingredients are as clean as you can get.

And finally, consider these six EcoSalon-approved sun products this summer.

Daily Repairing Moisturizer SPF 16 by Block Island Organics ($49)
This vegan-formulated moisturizer makes a great first line of defense against the sun. Made with certified organic ingredients, it offers both UVA and UVB protection. Best of all, it goes on light and absorbs as quickly as any regular moisturizer. Containing a light SPF, it’s a good choice for both face and body.

Brush-On Sun Defense SPF 30 by Mineral Fusion ($19.99)
The golden rule of sunscreen is that is must be reapplied throughout the day. And who likes to continually spackle on more product after already applying makeup? Mineral Fusion’s Brush-On Defense is a great solution for reapplication during a normal workday. Offering up a 30 SPF through its powder protection, you can literally sweep an SPF onto your face throughout the day in a convenient, self-contained applicator. It contains translucent powders good for all skin types. It is free of gluten, parabens, talc, artificial colors, synthetic fragrances, SLS, and phthalates. Further, the company utilizes wind power and recycled packaging.

Sun Shield SPF 28 by MyChelle Dermaceuticals ($19.19)
Vegan-friendly and gluten-free, this mineral-based sunscreen offers up a full spectrum of UVA/UVB sun defense. Like all the sunscreens featured here, it does not contain any retinyl palmitate, a common mainstream sunscreen ingredient which is now believed to speed the damage of skin exposed to sunlight. Cruelty-free, its box packaging is printed on 100% post-consumer paper.

Plant UV SPF 30 Face Moisturizer by Coola ($42.00)
The latest entry from organic sun care experts Coola, this product has been developed with naturally-protective plant cells such as anti-inflammatory lilac leaf. This 70% certified organic product contains a trademarked plant protection element which is said to boost its sun protection elements. Cruelty-free, this product is biodegradable/reef-friendly and arrives in a box “powered by wind.”

Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 30+ by Loving Naturals ($12.99)
This vegan sunscreen goes on thick but absorbs quickly. It offers up high-protection SPF while blocking both UVA and UVB rays. Loving Naturals takes pride in their product being non-nano, which means that its mineral protectors are unable to penetrate the deeper layers of the skin. Nanoparticles are commonly used in mainstream cosmetics and are believed to deliver questionable ingredients straight into your system. This sunscreen contains 100% natural ingredients.

Facial Sunscreen SPF 30 by Goddess Garden ($17.99)
Mineral sunscreens protect your skin by employing non nanoparticle-sized zinc and titanium. They are generally thought to be safer than chemical sunscreens containing ingredients like the hormone-disruptor oxybenzone. (However, if you don’t like mineral products, look for avobenzone.) This 92% organic sunscreen from Goddess Garden offers up SPF 30 broad-spectrum UVA/UVB coverage without the use of chemical sunscreens. It provides an intense moisture and is also biodegradable and “reef-safe,” meaning it won’t contaminate any environments you happen to swim through.

Check out some of our previous looks at sunscreens:

7 Favorite Green Sunscreens
Best Body Sunscreens
Best Face Sunscreens

Image: juicyverve

FTC Complaint

The post 6 Green Sunscreens for a Superb Summer Glow appeared first on EcoSalon.

Some lesser-known benefits of safely sitting in the sun.

I’m walking on sunshine, and don’t it feel good? Or so say the lyrics of peppy 1980s ditty by Katrina and the Waves. Turns out, awesome 80s pop music got it right. I live in sunny Southern California, but I spend much of my time in a writing cave populated by social media clicks and a chipped coffee mug I sometimes bang against the window pane at the outside world. When this happens, I just step outside to soak up the sun.

Why am I doing this? It turns out that that sunlight can have some great health benefits. So here’s ten lesser-known reasons to make sure you get some safe time in the sun.

Sunshine puts us in a better mood.
When you step outside and suddenly feel like smiling, odds are that the sun is smiling down on you. David Strohmetz is a psychologist at Monmouth University. As he told Psychology Today, “nice days put us in a good mood, which engenders helping and generosity. When we’re in a good mood, we want to maintain that mood.” This even makes us better tippers.

Sunshine helps you heal.
A 2007 study found that not getting enough direct sunlight could increase our chances of cancer by at least 70%. However, sitting in too much sun without protection can cause skin cancer. Happy mediums for all!

Sunshine influences the stock market for the better.
The stock market is three times as likely to go up if the city of the exchange is having a sunny day. No word on if traders have figured out a way to beam sunlight onto the floors of the New York Stock Exchange.

Sunshine helps you smoke less.
Psychology Today points out that on cloudy days, we “compensate artificially.” This means that those who smoke, drink, and do whatever else makes them feel “good,” really lay it on thick. Note to self: stop doing rain dances.

We eat less chocolate on sunny days.
Chocolate makes us happy, so we need less of it when the sun is shining. Because we’re already happy! But is this really a benefit? Only if you’re watching your weight.

If you are applying to college, you have a better chance of getting in with lesser grades on a sunny day.
Uri Simonsohn is the behavioral economist at the University of California at San Diego who conducted a study of the science of sun. As he told Psychology Today, “Applicants who are strong academically are more likely to be admitted on cloudy days, whereas candidates who are strong socially are more likely to be admitted on sunny ones. Cloudy days call to mind thoughts of staying inside to read or study.” No word on what snowy days say about academics.

Sunshine can influence your cholesterol.
Our bodies make Vitamin D from sunlight, which is necessary for a whole host of important health issues. Your body converts a type of cholesterol into Vitamin D.

Sunshine helps you sleep better.
If you get a lot of natural light during the day, your circadian rhythms will align. Natural light also increases melatonin which increases sleep. So good night, sweet sun.

Sunshine makes you play more.
In the sun, you feel better and want to get active. Consequently, you have more of an urge to frolic under the sun like wood nymphs in a Shakespearean comedy.

Sunshine can help clear up acne, eczema, psoriasis, athlete’s foot and more.
Some experts urge that getting moderate amounts of sun can help clear up skin disorders. And even still, sun may improve your digestion and metabolism.

*And as always, don’t overdo it, keep your sunblock handy, and talk to a medical professional before treating major ailments with sunshine.

Images: wanko,  johncohen, 33498942@N04, XLordashX, Cara Photography

The post 10 Benefits of Sunshine appeared first on EcoSalon.

There are pesticides on our food, so we eat organic. There are chemicals in our products, so we buy eco-friendly. There is danger in the sun, so we wear sunscreen. But a new study from the Environmental Working Group shows that skin cancer may be on the rise, partially from the overuse of chemical-laden sunscreens. Now everyone say it with me – “We. Can’t. Win.”

So the real dangers of the sun may not be from overexpose, but from the sunscreen we’ve been told to slather on since childhood? One fact is indisputable – melanoma, cancer of the skin, is on the rise. As we just reported, some experts feel this is because of the overuse of tanning beds.

But now authorities from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) propose that the extensive presence of chemicals in sunscreen may be causing damage on the cellular levels. And that the false sense of security provided by sunscreen may also be complicating the matter. In other words, people put on one coating of sunscreen and then spend the day in the sun sporting around chemically-sunscreen and a false sense of security. (So yes, you can either use too much sunscreen or too little. Your pick!)

Here are the facts as recently reported. Common sunscreens contain cinnamates, benzophenones and amino benzoic acid, which counteract sunlight when it is absorbed by the skin, thus causing genetic-material to damage. It doesn’t stop there. The EWG points out that 60 percent of beach and sport sunscreens contain the hormone-disrupting oxybenzene chemical. Another 40 percent include retinyl palmitate, a type of vitamin A that “may accelerate skin cancer-growth.”

So where is the FDA in all this? As Columbia Doctors East Side dermatologist Dr. Monica Halem told reporters, the FDA is developing a four star rating system for sunscreens – that they have been working on since 1978. Yes, the FDA has been writing this report for 32 years.

According to Dr. Halem, “The FDA is still trying to implement this four star monitoring system and hopefully within the next year or two this will be out so that patients are aware that they’re not just being covered by UVB but they are also being covered by UVA.”

The take-away from all this? It seems that safe guidelines to sun are about as complicated as a Real Housewives of New Jersey’s bank account. (Garden State love!) So we will try to keep it simple. Stay out for ten minutes without sunscreen, but slather on once you’ve gotten your allotment of vitamin D.

Keep your sunscreens and sun blocks eco-friendly. Why? Because they do contain less chemicals that traditional brands. Click here for safer face sunscreens. And here for safer body sunscreens. In the meantime, can someone please come hold my hand while we wait for the next news to break about the dangers of beauty?

For further reading:
Study reveals sunscreen’s darker side.

Image: Tom Purves

The post Now Even Your Sunscreen Will Kill You appeared first on EcoSalon.

The sun is our friend. Except when it gives us wrinkles. And sun spots. And skin cancer. But of course we love the sun and every wrinkle and blemish it gave us while we kayaked/hiked/skied/biked under its rays. But anyone who has peeled their skin off in black, burnt chunks (welcome to my childhood) knows what a bad burn will do to you. Yep, it ain’t pretty.

So what to do when you want to get a safe, healthy glow? Glows are important to good health – after all, sunlight contains vitamin D. Vitamin D is not present in very many foods, but it is necessary for bone growth and immune function. Apparently, people who are deficient in the D-V have an increased risk of heart attacks.

In the winter, it is impossible to get enough vitamin D from the sun. A little trick from space makes it hard for the sun’s ultraviolet B rays to get through the earth’s atmosphere. So now that it’s summertime, (at least in the Northern Hemisphere,) it’s time to stock up on our glow – carefully.

Spend a Few Minutes in Midday Sun Sans Sunscreen

You may have heard that skin cancer is on the rise. So why the heck would we tell you to stand in the sun without SPF? It’s tanning beds that is to blame for the rise in melanoma. In fact, some experts would tell you, (if you are fair skinned) to spend ten minutes in the midday sun in a tank top and shorts without sunscreen. This will give you enough radiation to produce “about 10,000 international units of vitamin D.” Too worried about burning? Start off slowly – first three minutes, then four, and so on – until you work your way up to ten. If you are elderly or dark-skinned, spend less time. You’ll get a nice, healthy glow and your necessary dose of vitamin D – just be sure to put the hat or sunscreen on after ten minutes.

Mix Up a Homemade Sun Protectant

Not ready to step out in the sun totally free of skin care product? You do need titanium dioxide and/or zinc to protect your skin from too much UVA/UVB rays, and these minerals make up the basis of most sunscreens. But you can spend your few minutes wearing a natural, homemade skin protectant. This oil will not act as a sunscreen, but it will support your skin’s own production of melanin. And its melanin which naturally protects your skin from the sun. Combine one tablespoon sesame oil, one tablespoon kukui seed oil, two tablespoons organic vitamin E, two drops of beta-carotene, and two drops of vitamin D. Mix together and apply to skin.

Now Pick a Non-Toxic Sunscreen

Okay, so you’ve shared your sunscreen-free skin with the sun for a few minutes. Now it’s time to cover up. Naturally, you want to pick a sunscreen that contains as little chemicals as possible. Beware of greenwashing in the sun care industry – a truly organic sunscreen is difficult, as sunscreens need titanium dioxide and zinc to protect your skin. These minerals cannot be classed as USDA organic because they are not grown. So you’re going to want your products to contain as many other organic ingredients as possible. Check out our comprehensive guides to eco-friendly face and body sunscreens here.

Mix Up a Mask of Glow

You’ve spent some time the sun, so now it’s time to naturally reward your skin. Take three tablespoons of organic honey. Carefully pulling your hair back from your face, slather your face with the organic honey for ten minutes. Wash it off with cold water. You may want to consider adding organic egg whites to the mix. Honey and eggs will moisturize and help brighten-up your face.

Choose a Natural Bronzer

Had enough sun for the day? Tarte has a great new product for summer to keep your skin a-glow. Check out Tarte’s Matte Waterproof Mineral Powder Bronze. This product is free of phthalates, parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate and synthetic dyes. It is also cruelty-free. How does it work? I powered it over my nose and cheeks and voila – instant glow. Hey, it beats bravely facing the sun with a timer in one hand and a hat in the other. (Which may or may not have been me, trying to get my ten minutes.)

Image: reebs*

The post Step Right Up for a Natural Summertime Glow appeared first on EcoSalon.

Oh, sunscreen, the bane of my summer existence. For me it’s like using condoms: annoying and inconvenient, but by golly, it has to be done.

And unless you like your skin done up like chicken-fried steak, you’d better pay attention to sunscreens that work. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) tested over 1,600 different sunscreens and found that only about 5% of those had safe, non-toxic ingredients and actually protected your skin.

Almost half of the sunscreens tested contain oxybenzone, an endocrine disruptor that may actually contribute to skin cancer. Yikes. Again, check those labels and know what you’re putting on your skin!

I highly recommend perusing EWG’s detailed studies. The information is very accessible and you can enter your favorite brands to see how they rate.

Image: lanuiop

The post You Wear Sunscreen, But Does It Actually Work? appeared first on EcoSalon.

So Memorial Day came and went, and we were left looking over our skin to see if we got any color over the weekend”¦despite six different organic sunscreens we continually slathered on our bods”¦between hiding under an umbrella and dodging into the sunlight like a crazy person. Wait, you didn’t do that? Well, I did, and allow me to share the fruits of my sunscreen obsession.

First, we brought you the world of organic face sunscreens. Now let’s take a look at the best protection for our bodies!

Total Body Plumeria SPF 30 by Coola

My favorite of the bunch, this product gets high props for three reasons. First, it smells fantastic with a sweet, floral scent. Second, it goes on smooth and doesn’t leave you feeling greased out or chalky. And finally, it works like Brad Pitt juggling babies! (That means well!) I wore one application for an entire afternoon and didn’t get burned, despite hopping in and out of the water. It is a certified organic product with a UVA/UVB broad spectrum. And it is hypoallergenic, water resistant and paba/paraben free.

Sun Lotion SPF 30+ by Jurlique

This product out of Australia is so light (not to mention delicately packaged in a glass bottle) that I’ve been using it for both my face and my body. It looks, smells and feels like a regular moisturizer. It also has an interesting, tangy scent. (Can scents be tangy? This one is.)  Jurlique specializes in their “living energy blend, which is a custom blend of our biodynamically and organically-grown herbs and flowers, that when combined in our formulas, re-balances skin, naturally.” They also source from biodynamic or organic farms.

Complete Sunblock Spray SPF 26 by Jason

This spray was the most classic of the bunch, as it reminded me the sunscreen you used as a kid. It has a beachy smell, (like something between coconut and pineapple) and it is intensely moisturizing. It also gets props for being easy to apply (yay spray). It offers full UV protection and contains certified organic ingredients. It is also paraben-free. Best of all? Only $7.

Natural Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 by John Masters Organics

If you want the visuals that your product is working, then this is the sunscreen for you. It goes on so white that you will need to work it in. And it will leave you as shimmery as a Twilight vampire. (This is not the worst thing when you’re worried if your sunscreen is still there”¦.)  There is a light, nondescript vitamin-y scent. This product contains certified organic extracts of green tea, shea butter and jojoba oil hydrate.

High Protection Sunscreen Emulsion for Children SPF 30 by Korres

This product is probably the thickest of the lot. It goes on white, but it doesn’t leave you chalky. (You know that feeling when your skin feels like a chalkboard and you feel like you want to go dip your entire body in oil? Yeah, that feeling.) It does have a nice, floral scent.  It contains a natural filter of titanium dioxide plus shea butter for broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sun protection and moisture.

Sun SPF 30 by Alba Botanica

If you want the heavy-duty experience, this is a good product for it. It goes on thick and you can feel it sitting on your skin. The smell is pleasant – I sampled the lavender – but it does leave you with that chalky feeling. This product contains an infusion of certified organic lavender, aloe vera, chamomile, ginkgo biloba and green tea. Retailing for around $10, it offers UVA/UVB protection and does the job well.

The post Best Eco Sunscreens for Your Beachy Body appeared first on EcoSalon.

There’s a lot of sunscreen out there, and there’s very little about it that makes sense. Between the sunscreens and the sun blocks, the UVA and the UBV, it’s easier to become more confused than a tourist during Mardi Gras. How confused is that? Let’s just say it involves a level of confusion that may cause someone to bolt across the parade route from one cop to another while that certain someone is just trying to catch the last bus back to Baton Rouge or is it Ponchatoula? Yeah, that confused.

At the center of this sunscreen spaz attack comes the seminal sun protection question – what the heck is in my sunscreen?

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (pdf), sunscreen “protects your skin by absorbing and/or reflecting UVA and UVB rays.” Further, “broad-spectrum sunscreens often contain”¦UVA-absorbing avobenzone or a benzophenone.” Sunblocks, which block instead of absorbing the sun’s ray, include chemicals like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.

They may not sound so healthy, but we need titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to protect our skin and the organic skin care world doesn’t seem to be offering up truly organic substitutes. So that means you want to be sure that the rest of the product is as organic as possible.

We have taken a look at the latest sun protection the green world has to offer. They are all eco-friendly or organic in some capacity. But we’ve also put them to a much more rigorous round of questioning. What do they smell like? How well do they absorb? And do they leave you looking like Bozo the Clown?

Ultra Light Facial Moisturizer SPF 25 by Kimberly Sayer

This product is marketed as a “day cream” and a “moisturizer.” It has also become my “all-time bestest most favorite-ist” face cream for the summer. With a wonderful lemon scent and a lightness that is comparable to whipped cream, this is best of the batch. It smells great, absorbs quickly and doesn’t leave you with a residue. It contains oat beta glucan to protect against UVA. And its lightness allows an easy application under makeup, making it a good place to start on your daily beauty regime. $32.

Cucumber Face SPF 30 by Coola (shown at top)

Want your sunscreen to evoke a cool glass of water at the high-end spa?  Then this is the product for you. With a fruity, cucumber scent, you can treat it more like perfume than a sunscreen. In fact, I liked the scent so much that I have worn it indoors while typing away at writing assignments with the shades drawn. It also absorbs quickly and doesn’t leave your skin feeling sticky.  This organic product covers a UVA/UVB broad spectrum and is PABA/paraben/petroleum free.

Sunscreen Watermelon Face Cream SPF 30 by Korres

This fantastic face product is like a mini-facial. It felt more like moisturizer than sunscreen. It has a fun fruity scent, and it smooths on without a white residue. It is free of mineral oil, silicone, propylene glycol and ethanolamine. It also has “natural filter titanium dioxide and shea butter for broad-spectrum sun protection (UVA-UVB-IR).”

Anti-Age Sunscreen SPF 20 by Lavera

This product has a light, almost candy-like scent. And it protects against UVA, UVB, and UVC rays, is biodegradable and is paraben- and PABA-free. However, it does leave your skin with a bit of a white sheen. At least you know it’s working!

Purely Age-Defying Day Cream SPF 15 by Jurlique

This is a lightweight, moisturizing sunscreen that has a vitamin-y aroma. It leaves your skin feeling a little sticky, but it does absorb quickly without leaving a white residue. It is made from organic herbs and flowers grown on the Jurlique farm. This includes rose hallica, licorice root, chamomile, pansy and sweet violet.

Dual Nature Face Protection SPF 15 by Aveda

Want a great smelling product? Then this is not the sunscreen for you. I am not a fan on the smell, which comes off a bit like sour fruit. It also leaves you with a bit of a chalky residue. But it does get props for quick absorption. It contains organic geranium, jasmine and orange for aroma, and the container is made from 35% post consumer HDPE.

All Day Moisture with SPF 15 by Noah’s Naturals

This product has an easy, pleasant smell. It absorbs quickly and without white residue, but it does leave you a little gunky. It is paraben-free and contains minimal amounts of chemicals. Noah’s Naturals also practices 1% for the Planet, which means they donate 1% of their sales to environmental organizations worldwide.

Vitamin C Moisture Plus Lotion SPF 15 by Avalon Organics

This product has a fresh, fruity aroma and it absorbs fast. Score and score! But it does require a bit of elbow grease to rub in, so make sure you work it to avoid the Casper effect. It provides UVA/UVB protection, and it has organic aloe, rose hips and sweet orange oils.

The post Best Organic Sunscreens for Your Face appeared first on EcoSalon.

Wanna rub yourself down in hippo sweat? Well, me neither, but there is something fascinating about the aforementioned fluid: it may be synthesized and used as sunblock.

Hippos exude an oily secretion that contains light-scattering crystalline structures, and this is what keeps them from getting burned in the unrelenting African sun. Making use of nature’s knowledge in a science known as biomimicry, researchers are trying to figure out how to replicate this substance into a form appropriate for humans. Pretty amazing if you ask me. Just so long as this doesn’t implicate a future in bizarre sweaty hippo exploitation.

Image: The Lizard Queen

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