Safer Sunscreen

*PSA: This is not medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare provider if you have questions or concerns. Do your own research and do what you feel is best for you and your family.

I absolutely love the sun! This may sound controversial to some - but I don't always wear sunscreen. There are just so many great benefits to getting natural sunlight, you just have to be smart about your exposure. Even when I was younger and didn’t care about ingredients, I was always slow to put the sunscreen on. Something even back then didn’t seem right to me. I felt like the lotion was just getting baked into my skin?! IDK. I’ve just always had reservations about it. Luckily over the years, there has been some

To this day, I’m still wait to put the sunscreen on. Like I said, it’s about safe exposure. We need that natural vitamin D! When I need a break from the sun, I’ll grab a hat, put a tshirt or coverup on and look for a shady spot! When I do reach for sunscreen, it needs to be mineral based and it can’t leave a “white cast”.

So whats the difference between chemical and mineral sunscreen?

Chemical (or synthetic) sunscreen is what most of us grew up using. That distinct “sunscreen” smell and it usually rubbed in fairly easily. A lot of these “traditional” chemical sunscreens usually contain oxybenzone, octocrylene, ecamsule, avobenzone (and others) that is ABSORBED into the skin and then these particles block the UV rays from burning you. The issue is that many of these ingredients have potentially risky side effects when absorbed into your bloodstream such as hormone disruption, skin reactions, cancer and even its negative effect on marine life. Remember hearing about recall after recall over the years?

Mineral sunscreen is made zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These ingredients work as a physical barrier between your skin and the suns UVA/UVB rays. It basically sits ON TOP of your skin (and not absorbed into) and it reflects the rays away in order to protect your skin. This is why many times you’ll find them harder to rub in and they leave a “white cast”.

My current favorite safer option

You know these companies out here are being tricky, so even if the active ingredients ARE mineral, make sure the formula isn’t loaded with other toxic ingredients! Some red flags include phthalates, parabens, SLS (sodium laureth sulfate) and fragrance* (if not properly disclosed). That’s why my current favorite is from Beautycounter — more specifically their sunscreen lotion! It’s SPF 30, reef safe and it rubs in so well and doesn’t leave a white cast. I’m also a big fan of the facial sunscreen. It’s so lightweight and sheer and layers nicely under makeup. There is a spray option, but it’s not my favorite. I think it’s kind of hard to rub in, so that’s why I stick with the lotion.

And I'm not saying this because I'm a consultant. I've tried SEVERAL mineral sunscreens and HATED them all! I have wasted a lot of $$$$$ trying different ones, and I’m so glad I found one that I love!

You can shop Beautycounter sunscreen (and all their amazing skincare) here.