With spring’s arrival, and summer quickly approaching, sunscreen is a hot topic. Many are touting the SPF effects of natural oils. Sounds good, but is it too good to be true?

We know that personal care products sans chemicals are better for our skin and health. This goes for sunscreen too. Chemical sunscreens easily absorb into skin and are linked to hormonal disruption and skin allergies.

Natural minerals, like zinc oxide, provide serious sun protection and are not harmful to our health. There are other natural ingredients that contain some sun protection, like some plant and essential oils, but are they effective enough to replace your sunscreen?

You’ve likely seen articles on creating your own sunscreen or simply using natural oils in place of a sun protection product. A simple, organic plant oil to protect you from damaging rays? Sounds good but before you replace that sunscreen with a bottle of olive oil, let’s take a closer look.

Do Natural SPF Oils Really Provide UV Protection?

Short answer…yes. But it’s how much protection they provide that is important.

There are two types of natural oils, volatile and nonvolatile. Volatile oils are extracted from plants and have an aroma or flavor, also known as essential oils. Nonvolatile oils are all other plant oils, like olive and almond oil. The main difference between the two is that volatile oils evaporate more easily, allowing us to experience their scent.

There are certain oils in both groups that contain some natural UV protection. Olive trees, red raspberries, and blue berries all have their own natural sunscreen and this benefit carries over to us when we use them on our skin. Theses oils are healthy and help to protect us from the sun. But don’t slather yourself in them and head out to the beach just yet.

The amount of SPF these oils contain is far from what we need to adequately protect ourselves from UV damage. Studies show that SPF values for nonvolatile oils are in the 2-8 range, volatile oils are in the 1-7 range. For instance, olive and coconut oils ranked about an SPF 8, while sesame oil is only about a 2. Peppermint essential oil contains about an SPF 7, while rose oil is only about a 1. Cool facts, but these won’t do you much good in the sun on their own.

Raspberry seed oil is currently making blog headlines as having sunscreen powers that rival mineral protection, as high as SPF 25. This would be great, but until scientific measures have been done it is best not to rely on this oil solely as sun protection.

Natural SPF oils help to keep skin hydrated and many protect against free radical damage due to sun exposure. When used in a nontoxic sunscreen natural oils are super valuable. As we’ve seen, mineral sunscreens are the best choice for our health and sun protection. They protect against both UVA and UVB rays and don’t carry the health concerns of chemical sunscreens.

So for now, pass on the oils as sunscreen or diy methods and opt for safe sunscreens instead. Following are my faves. These work like a charm, offer safe protection, and won’t leave skin greasy or white.

Suntegrity 5-in-1 Natural Moisturizing Tinted Face Sunscreen SPF 30

Suntegrity Skincare Natural Mineral Sunscreen For Body SPF 30

True Natural Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Caribbean Coconut

Related on EcoSalon

Super Sweet Sustainable Sneakers for Spring

4 Liquid Lipsticks to Rock this Spring

4 Fair Trade Clothing Brands We Love for Spring

The post Natural SPF Oils: Do They Provide Real UV Protection? appeared first on EcoSalon.

There has been much ado about everything lately in the world of sunscreens. First, you have to stay out of the sun. Then you have to stay in the sun for at least a few minutes of the day. Then you have to be careful what kind of sunscreen you buy, how much you use it, and how well you use it. Because if you don’t, clearly the media is going to come after you waving sticks tipped with cancer. Or so it seems.

We’ve already learned about the dangers of sunscreen. As we recently reported, the Environmental Working Group has put the world on notice that the excessive amount of chemicals in sunscreens may be doing damage on a cellular level. As we discussed “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.” Further, experts point out that sunscreen can create a false sense of security amongst its users. You still need to cover up and watch your time in the sun, regardless of what sunscreen you may or may not have put on your body.

But news out of the health world shows that doctors are starting to take notice about these chemicals. Harvard Health Publications reports that the FDA is requiring new rules for sunscreens, which are set to take effect in October of 2010. According to the experts, “UVB is the main cause of sunburn and the more carcinogenic of the two, although both contribute to skin cancer. UVA, which moves at a longer wavelength and is more penetrating, is responsible for tanning and contributes to skin aging.” Companies would be required to test and rank UVA protection claims, and not just UVB. And UVA and UVB will get “equal billing.”

Further, the FDA would make sure reapplication is emphasized while discouraging claims that sunscreens reduce aging and skin cancer risks. SPF ratings would also top off at 50+. Want to know more? You can read in detail about these requirements here.

But what does this mean for the chemicals in sunscreen? At present, not much – though Congress has just introduced the Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010, which will give the FDA authority to make sure dangerous chemicals are not present in our beauty products. (Because right now they don’t have that right. Seriously.)

In the meantime, keep your eye on the prize when it comes to reading your labels. Look for eco-friendly packaging, titanium oxide over zinc oxide, (which Skin Deep rates as less hazardous) and less chemicals in the labels, especially cinnamates, benzophenones and amino benzoic acid.

Image: unconstructive_bry

The post Hooray FDA: New Rules for Sunscreen Are Finally on the Way 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.