Whether you’re working round the clock or partying on the beach, protecting your skin from the sun is essential. And sunscreen is an ideal way to protect your skin from sun damage. We all have been using sunscreens to that end for decades now. But, we’ve never wondered what this sunscreen, that protects our skin, does to the environment. A simple activity such as swimming on the beach after applying sunscreen can harm the environment. Studies have shown that the chemicals present in sunscreens can harm marine life and vegetation, making our oceans and seas unsafe for their residents. However, recent developments in eco-friendly sunscreens have emerged as a viable solution to this dilemma. These mineral sunscreen gels and lotions use natural ingredients and avoid chemicals that harm the environment. Let us dive deep into the intricacies of eco-friendly sunscreens, explore their benefits, and learn how to choose the right mineral sunscreen for your skin.
Sunscreen and the Earth
Sun protection is an important part of skincare and beauty regimes. Regular sun protection is essential to prevent premature aging and protect the skin from various issues like sunburn, rashes, pigmentation, acne breakouts, etc. That’s why everyone, from our mothers to skin experts and dermatologists, always insists on applying sunscreen daily. But while sunscreens protect our skin from the harsh sun rays, they are pretty harsh on the environment, especially marine life.
Recent researches suggest that the active ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate, avobenzone, enzacamene, etc. in most regular sunscreens can harm the coral reefs. Long-time exposure to these highly concentrated chemicals causes coral reef bleaching. The weakened reefs cannot regenerate and their death means loss of food and shelter for marine and wildlife ecosystems. Many states in the USA like Hawaii and Florida have recently banned the sale of sunscreens containing these chemicals. And while taking such steps is necessary to protect the environment, it creates a dilemma of preventing sun damage in an eco-friendly way. This dilemma led to the emergence and popularity of environmentally friendly sunscreens.
What are Eco-Friendly Sunscreens?
Eco-friendly sunscreens are products designed to provide sun protection to the skin without harming the environment. Also called ‘reef-safe’ or ‘coral-safe’ sunscreens, they are made with natural ingredients that protect from the sun’s rays but do not damage the reefs and other marine life in the water. Eco-friendly sunscreens are usually mineral sunscreens made of zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. While they’ve been around for a long time, they’ve gained popularity recently due to their eco-friendly composition. Chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays while mineral sunscreens reflect them. Previously, mineral sunscreens used to leave a white residue on the skin’s surface but the latest advancements have resolved this issue too. Nowadays, mineral sunscreen gels and lotions are lightweight, easily absorbed, and provide broad-spectrum sun protection.
Benefits of Eco-Friendly Sunscreens
The biggest, most obvious benefit of switching to mineral sunscreens is that they are eco-friendly and do not harm the environment. However, these sunscreens also have other benefits. Made with mineral filters they form a layer on the skin’s surface. They don’t enter the bloodstream and do not cause toxicity in the blood. Moreover, sunscreens also help prevent premature aging and help your skin retain its elasticity and youthful look. Without harmful chemicals, mineral sunscreens are milder and don’t cause any irritation. Mineral sunscreen for oily skin can also help balance oil production and keep the skin hydrated. However, to get maximum benefits from mineral sunscreens, you must choose the product that best suits your skin.
How to Switch to Eco-Friendly Sunscreens
Switching your regular sunscreen for a mineral alternative is easy. You just need to make sure it contains minerals and natural ingredients. Ensure the label says ‘eco-friendly’ or ‘reef-safe’, and the composition does not contain harmful chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate.
Ingredients to Look For:
Zinc Oxide: Zinc oxide acts as a layer on the skin to reflect harmful UV rays. It gives broad-spectrum sun protection and prevents sun damage.
Titanium Dioxide: Titanium dioxide is also a powerful mineral sun-blocking agent that enhances the effects of zinc oxide. It absorbs UV rays and reflects them, shielding the skin from potential sun damage.
Kamree’s mineral sunscreen lotions and gels are made with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide and help keep your skin soft, bright, and dewy without worrying about damage due to sun exposure.
Protecting the skin while hurting the environment is like harming yourself in the long run. Switching to mineral sunscreen gels and lotions that are lightweight, non-comedogenic, and broad-spectrum can have many benefits for the skin. And it can also help you keep the environment safe. So, stop waiting and pondering. Grab your Kamree SPF 50 mineral sunscreen today and experience ultimate sun protection that’s tailor-made for you.