Natural Sunscreens: Do They Work?
There's been a lot in the news about sunscreens lately, and as the FDA take a closer look at ingredients and the claims on the bottles, you may be wondering: Are so-called "natural" sunscreens healthier, and do they actually work? I have details ...
The Los Angeles Times took a look at natural sunscreens recently, and raised the question: Do they work?
It's easy to feel funny about all the weird chemically sounding ingredients in mainstream sunscreens (hello avobenzone, oxybenzone, octisalate, diethylexyl and triethanolamine!). Natural sunscreens often contain ingredients that are easier to stomach: organic macadamia nut or hemp seed oils, green tea extracts, beeswax and purified water.
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To understand the difference between natural and "chemical" sunscreens, here's a brief primer:
*Mainstream or "chemical" sunscreens work by using chemicals to absorb UVB and UVA rays. Drawback: People are sometimes sensitive to the chemicals.
*Natural or "barrier" sunscreens use the active ingredients titanium dioxide or zinc oxide to form a barrier between the skin and the sun. Drawback: Natural sunscreens often look really white and thick when you put them on and take a while to absorb (not always the best look, I admit).
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But do natural sunscreens work? "Yes," says Jeffrey Dover, president of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. But here's the catch: For natural sunscreens to do the job, you must use enough. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that people use an entire shot glass worth for the exposed skin on your body.
Personally, I tend to like natural sunscreens best, particularly those made with zinc oxide (just my preference), and I think Badger Sunscreens are pretty terrific.
How about you? What's your experience been like with natural sunscreens?
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Photo Credit: Badger
