Why Choose a Natural Sunscreen?

 

UV Radiation and the Skin 

There are two types of UV filters: natural mineral sunscreen filters and the synthetic variant. Let's first explain what UV radiation does to your skin. It's delightful to enjoy the first rays of sunshine, but what exactly does all that sun power do to your skin? There are two types of UV radiation that can damage the skin and potentially cause skin cancer: UVA and UVB radiation.   About 5% of UV radiation is UVB, which causes your skin to burn faster, increasing the risk of skin cancer. However, it also has positive effects, as your skin can produce vitamin D from it, which is very important for our health. UVB radiation cannot penetrate glass. The remaining 95% of UV radiation is UVA radiation, which penetrates deeply into the skin and can still damage your skin even after you've been out of the sun for a while. It can age your skin faster and cause skin cancer. UVA radiation can also damage your skin through clouds and glass. So even if you have an office job, it's important to protect your skin well. 

What Exactly Does Sunscreen Do? 

Sunscreen is essential to protect your skin from excessive UVA and UVB radiation from the sun. Creams with synthetic filters have the ability to penetrate your skin, where they absorb UV radiation and protect the skin from sun damage. This is also why you need to apply synthetic sunscreens well before sunbathing; it gives the filters time to penetrate the skin. Unfortunately, this is not entirely harmless to your health. Synthetic sun filters with a bad reputation are proven to be hormone-disrupting, have a high chance of causing skin irritation, and can induce free radical formation. This has to do with the permeability of the skin. 

The skin consists of three layers: the epidermis, the dermis, and the subcutaneous tissue (hypodermis).  

The epidermis mainly consists of keratinocytes, which you can see as a wall of bricks where sebum acts as the cement. The sebaceous glands ensure that there is an oily layer around the keratinocytes, making it difficult for water and other substances to penetrate. Despite this protection, the epidermis still allows substances to pass through to a limited extent, which then reach the capillaries in the dermis. Through the blood, the substance enters the body, where it can have a positive or negative effect. So, what should you do? We recommend a natural sunscreen. Natural filters are made based on minerals such as zinc and titanium dioxide. Mineral filters do not penetrate your skin but form a layer on your skin. This layer reflects the sun's rays before they can negatively affect the skin. You apply natural sunscreen with mineral filters at the moment you go sunbathing, as they are not absorbed by your skin. 

Natural Mineral Sunscreen Filters versus Synthetic Sunscreen Filters

Mineral sunscreen filters have the great advantage that they do not penetrate your skin and provide immediate protection as soon as you apply the cream. In the past, mineral filters left a white cast on the skin, which many people found annoying, but thanks to nanotechnology, this is a thing of the past.  With this technique, the molecules of the minerals are reduced in size, making the cream more transparent and easier to apply. A downside of these nanoparticles is that they can also penetrate the skin, but that depends on their form, how they react to sunlight, and the extent to which your body can break them down. Nanoparticles based on zinc oxide and titanium dioxide can be used as long as they are coated. Zinc oxide is preferable over titanium dioxide because the latter can sometimes cause allergic reactions, which may be mistakenly identified as sun allergy. For the connoisseurs among us: Nanoparticles that can barely penetrate the skin include Tinosorb M (Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol) and Tinosorb A2B (Tris Biphenyl Triazine). These nanoparticles are stable and do not have a hormone-disrupting effect on your body. The range of natural sunscreens continues to grow and offers a very good alternative to 'regular' sunscreens with synthetic filters. Opt for a broad-spectrum natural sunscreen, which protects the skin against both UVA and UVB radiation. 
 
Synthetic sunscreens contain various filters that can penetrate the skin and burden the body. These filters, as indicated on the 'INCI list', cause the release of toxins in the body and can cause complaints such as fatigue, allergies, and free radical formation. Which substances should you avoid in sunscreen? Toxins have a significant impact on hormone balance, which can lead to thyroid problems or cause a disruption in hormone balance in, for example, fertility hormones such as progesterone and estrogen. This can lead to estrogen dominance, which can cause PMS symptoms and an irregular cycle. Some of these substances can form free radicals, which are highly reactive molecules that can cause cell damage and accelerate the aging process of, among other things, the skin.   

The INCI list, which stands for International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients, provides a clear overview of the internationally standardized names for all substances used in cosmetics. We have created a list for you with INCI names of the burdensome sun filters. These substances are not found on the label of your healthy sunscreen.

Check the INCI List  

 

Sunscreen Without Nasty Ingredients and the Environment

So far, we have discussed the impact of sunscreen on your body, but what about the environment? By choosing a natural sunscreen without harmful substances, you are not only helping your health but also the environment. You can imagine that all those tonnes of sunscreen that end up in the sea each year do not positively contribute to the flora and fauna of our oceans. Research shows that synthetic UV filters like oxybenzone disrupt the ecosystem, contributing to the death of coral reefs. Before you go on holiday to an exotic destination, check which sunscreens are allowed. Some countries, such as Hawaii and Thailand, have banned sunscreens with these synthetic UV filters to protect the coral reefs.  

What to Use Instead of Sunscreen? 

It's clear that using a natural sunscreen without toxic substances can provide many health benefits. But what if you don't like applying sunscreen, whether natural or not? If it makes you feel sticky or sweaty, or worse, it even makes you itch? No worries, you can still soak up your daily dose of life energy from the sun.  
These tips provide a super healthy foundation for everyone, with or without sunscreen, here they come: 

• Take a 20-minute walk daily around noon when the sun is high to get your daily dose of vitamin D. 
• Seek shade and only go into the full sun after 4:00 PM. 
• Wearing a sun hat or cap is a great way to protect your face from the sun. 
• Using our natural astaxanthin with added antioxidants vitamin C and E helps protect your skin against air pollution and UV radiation. 

Good to Know

Natural sunscreen (without harmful substances) is the smartest choice for protecting yourself against harmful UV radiation. Synthetic sunscreen can contain unpleasant ingredients that you would rather not have on your skin, while natural variants form a protective layer without penetrating the skin. This is not only good for you but also for the environment. Choose wisely and enjoy the sun without worries! 
 
Want to apply sunscreen with a clear conscience? Here you'll find our suggestions for natural sunscreen from our top brands.  

TIP: Apply your natural sunscreen generously and reapply regularly, especially after swimming, sweating, or towel drying. Even if the sunscreen is water-resistant, it's important to reapply it frequently for maximum protection.