We all know that sunscreen is one of, if not most, the most important part of our skincare routine. It is not only ideal for preventing sunburn, but it also helps prevent premature aging, uneven skin tone, dark spots, and even skin cancer. There are so many different types of sunscreen nowadays, ranging from natural to chemical. One of the best natural sunscreens on the market is Butterbean Organic Sunscreen.
There are now more options on sunscreens than ever before, especially in the natural sunscreen category. Sunscreens are classified as natural when they are mineral-based and non-toxic. However, the choices available on the market can overwhelm anyone especially if it’s their first time to try sunscreen. This article will break down all the options for you so you can make the right choice of sunscreen for you and your family.
It should be noted that science and the beauty industry use very different terminologies. Technically speaking, and according to science, everything is made up of chemicals: water, trees, sunscreen, everyone. When it comes to beauty products, the term chemical’ refers to anything man-made or non-natural. So, in this article, we’ll be using chemical and the more technically correct term synthetic synonymously.
Why Go for a Natural Sunscreen?
People who choose a natural sunscreen do so for their own reasons, but below are some of the most popular ones:
- Less exposure to synthetic chemicals Most people choose natural sunscreens because they want to reduce their day-to-day exposure to chemicals. Some people simply do not have faith in chemical products and ingredients and refuse to apply them on their skin. Some ingredients found in chemical sunscreens have been placed under a lot of scrutiny lately. Oxybenzone, for example, has been discovered to disrupt hormones, in lab rats. Other active ingredients found in chemical sunscreens have been associated with cancer and possible hormone disruption. It should be noted, however, that there is no conclusive evidence that these ingredients are unsafe; there’s no proof that any of the synthetic ingredients used in sunscreens can be harmful to humans.
- Reduce negative impact to the environment Chemical-based sunscreens have been proven to pollute the environment. In fact, some exotic local beaches around the world require the use of only natural-based sunscreens, to prevent potential harm to fragile ecosystems.
- To avoid skin irritation Synthetic sunscreens can irritate the skin. If you have sensitive skin, suffering from psoriasis, have eczema, or irritation from chemical sunscreens, then going the natural route may be the best choice for you. Active ingredients in natural sunscreens, like Butterbean organic sunscreen, are less likely to cause irritation to the skin unlike chemical sunscreens. With natural sunscreens people with highly sensitive skin can get sun protection without triggering skin problems.
What Constitutes a Natural Sunscreen?
To put it simply, the active ingredients found in sunscreens are what determine whether it is natural or not. In the U.S., the only natural sunscreen ingredients approved by the FDA are zinc oxide and titanium oxide. If you find any of these two ingredients in your sunscreen, then you can say the sunscreen is natural’. If it contains oxybenzone, avobenzone, or octinoxate as active ingredients, then it is a chemical sunscreen, since these ingredients are synthetic.
However, don’t let the natural’ trick fool you into thinking that the product you’re getting is 100% natural. Remember, the word natural’ in the natural sunscreen only refers to the active ingredients. The rest of the ingredients can be synthetic.
What’s the Difference Between Organic Sunscreen and Natural Sunscreen?
The word organic’ is mostly just a marketing term and generally has no relation to the active ingredients in the sunscreen. To explore this matter further, we have to take a look at where the beauty industry and scientific community stand on this subject.
Scientifically speaking, organic compounds contain carbon. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide do not contain carbonthey are non-organic materials. Most of the synthetic ingredients found in sunscreens do not contain carbon, so technically they are considered organic.
There is no specific guideline from the FDA explaining what makes up an organic product. Therefore, it seems illogical, but natural ingredients are basically inorganic’, and synthetic sunscreens can also be considered organic’.
Note that the organic label on sunscreens usually implies that it contains some sort of botanical ingredients that was produced without pesticides. Organic doesn’t have to mean that the product is 100% natural or non-synthetic.
How to Choose a Natural Sunscreen?
Now that we have an idea about natural and synthetic sunscreens and how they work, how do we get started with choosing one that works for you? We’ve come up with this checklist below to help you out:
- Check the active ingredients You have to specifically look for zinc oxide, either on its own or together with titanium dioxide. Zinc oxide is what gives sunscreen broad-spectrum SPF, which means it can provide protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Titanium dioxide is effective only against UVB, so it won’t protect you across the full spectrum so it shouldn’t be used as a stand-alone active ingredient.
- Choose a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more You’ll want your sunscreen to give you enough protection for a reasonable amount of time, so go for one that has an SPF of 30 or higher. SPF can go up to 50+, but once you get above SPF 30, the sun protection you get is incremental.
- Check the other ingredients if you’re looking for all-natural There is no fixed standard for what makes cosmetics (skincare products and makeup) or over-the-counter drugs (like anti-acne products and sunscreen) natural’. Therefore, if you’re looking for a more natural option for sunscreen (or any skincare product) you’ll need to dig deep and do more research. Just because a sunscreen claims to have natural ingredients does not mean that it is 100% natural. All other ingredients in the sunscreen could still be made up of synthetic ingredients. But this doesn’t mean that the sunscreen is better or worse than others. It simply boils down to what kind of product you’re looking for and what works best for you.
- Do you want a micronized or non-nanoparticles product? – A micronized product, either on the front or in the active ingredients, results in a sunscreen that absorbs completely and leaves little opacity on your skin. This gives you a sunscreen that looks and feels more like synthetic sunscreen. Non-micronized or non-nano products, on the other hand, leaves a white cast across the skin’s surface that you can’t rub in. But if you’re concerned about the dangers of nanoparticles, this may be a reasonable tradeoff.
Conclusion
There is a lot of information on sun protection and sunscreen out there today. Both natural and synthetic sunscreens have their pros and cons. The topic of natural or synthetic sunscreen can be confusing because there is so much conflicting information and a myriad of product options.
However, you must remember that the best sunscreen product for you is one that you like and matches well with your skin because it is a product you’ll actually use. Whether it is a synthetic or natural sunscreen like Butterbean organic sunscreen, consistently using one every day will give your skin the best protection it needs.
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