It’s the unofficial kickoff to summer this weekend, and there is no better time than now to talk about something we should all be concerned about – SUNSCREEN! It sort of sickens me to think that I used to use tanning oils in my younger years. What was I thinking!? Now I would not be caught dead using anything other than an SPF 30 all the time. Better late than never, right!?
Lately, sunscreen has been a big topic in the news. Some states are proposing bills to ban sunscreens containing the chemicals oxybenzone and octinoxate due to the damage they are causing to marine life. Oxybenzone has also been known to cause allergic skin reactions in humans, and can even be detected in the bloodstream of most Americans according to The Center for Disease Control and Preventation. If this chemical is harming coral reefs can you imagine what it may be doing in our bloomstream!? Yikes!
Most sunscreens in the US protect against UVB {ultraviolet rays} that cause sunburns, but nearly half neglect protection for UVA rays that go deeper into the skin causing aging and increasing the risk of cancer. The US Food and Drug Administration has not approved a sunscreen ingredient filtering method in years, which makes it even harder to test the safety of the ingredients used to create sunscreens. Scary stuff! What should we be using to protect ourselves and the environment?
What to look for When Choosing a Clean Sunscreen
First you want to make sure you are protecting your skin from both UVB and UVA rays. It’s best to go with a mineral sunscreen. Mineral sunscreens use zinc oxide to create a broad-spectrum of protection against the sun, basically shielding it from the harmful rays so it doesn’t go too deep beneath the surface of your skin. Avoid using sunblocks with SPF protection higher than 50+. These higher values do not necessarily give you the needed UVA protection. Beautycounter has a full line of sunscreen products that are all mineral based, protecting you from both harmful UVB and UVA rays.
Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30
I personally prefer a lotion when it comes to sunscreen. This lotion is water-resistant {up to 80 minutes}, and reef-friendly. It’s safe to use on your face too! It is recommended to apply this sunblock up to 15 minutes before sun exposure, then reapply every 40 minutes after swimming, sweating or towel drying. If you aren’t doing anything of those activities reapply every two hours. It also comes in a smaller 3.4 oz size perfect for keeping in your purse or carry-on!
Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 30
I’ve never used a sunscreen stick, but this product intrigues me! This stick is water-resistant {up to 80 minutes} and reef-friendly. It is recommended to apply this sunblock up to 15 minutes before sun exposure, then reapply every 40 minutes after swimming, sweating or towel drying. If you aren’t doing anything of those activities reapply every two hours.
Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Mist SPF 30
If you are into spray sunscreens this is the product for you! This spray is water-resistant {up to 80 minutes}, reef-friendly and it’s non-aerosol {air pressure powered}. Shake well before applying the spray product and hold 4-6 inches away from your body {spray with care to avoid clothes!}. It is recommended to apply this sunblock up to 15 minutes before sun exposure, then reapply every 40 minutes after swimming, sweating or towel drying. If you aren’t doing anything of those activities reapply every two hours. do not directly spray onto your face – spray in your hands and then apply. Also, make sure to rub the spray in after application to ensure all areas of your skin have adequate coverage. So many people neglect this simple step when using spray sunscreens. Oh, and avoid inhaling! This mist also comes in 3 oz. size – great for traveling and keeping in your purse.
Also check out this Tinted Mineral Sunscreen Mist if you are looking for a sunblock with a little more coverage to hide imperfections and even out your skin tone.
It’s such a good feeling to find products that aren’t bad for you or the environment! Let me know if you have questions, as I’d love to help you achieve your sun care or skincare goals. You can also fill out this quick form for personalized skincare recommendations from me.
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