Best Mineral Sunscreen

1. Chapter 1: Best Mineral Sunscreens Safer Beauty Products... One of the things that shocked me when I moved to Canada from Europe, was how unregulated the skincare and beauty industry in Canada is. Whenever I bought a skincare product, I would read the ingredient labels on the back and just couldn’t believe some of the very harmful chemicals used inside them. Which is one of the key things that drew me to BeautyCounter – a beauty and skincare company focused on making safer products. The BeautyCounter products I invested in first were their sunscreens. Here is a quick breakdown of two of their popular products and why you should use them: the BeautyCounter sunscreen lotion and their Countersun mist. Best Mineral Based Sunscreens Reviewed Check your sunscreen label. If the active ingredients include one or more of the chemicals listed in this article, you need to look into a mineral based alternative. In 1927, 12,745 physicians endorsed smoking Lucky Strike® cigarettes as a healthful activity; by 1999 smoking-related illness had become the number one cause of death in United States. Similarly, the rate of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, has been on the rise since the first sunscreen arrived on the market in the late 1960's. Worldwide, the greatest rise in melanoma has been experienced in countries where chemical based sunscreens have been heavily promoted. While it is important to protect your skin from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation, it may be just as important to protect yourself from the chemicals used in most sunscreens. Chemical-based sunscreens include ingredients that absorb UV radiation from the sun. These chemicals get into the skin and absorb UV radiation which leads to free radical release. Free radicals can damage cells and are believed to accelerate the progression of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and aging. Health-related U.S. government agencies including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Centers for Disease Control and prevention (CDC), and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) all have important information about potential dangers of these chemicals.

2. Chapter 1: Best Mineral Sunscreens The good news is avoiding chemical-based sunscreens may be easier than you think. Below is a list of some potentially dangerous sunscreen chemicals. Oxybenzone Oxybenzone is a chemical that can be absorbed by the body and mimic or block hormones thereby disrupting their normal functions. Oxybenzone was found in 96.8% of human urine samples analyzed as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2008. The same study found a lower birth weight in baby girls whose mothers were exposed to Oxybenzone during pregnancy. Oxybenzone is a photo-carcinogen, a chemical that can potentially cause cancer when exposed to light. Known as a powerful free radical generator, oxybenzone is used to destabilize chemicals in a number of industrial processes. In addition Oxybenzone has been known to trigger photo-allergic reactions. These allergic reactions are caused by exposure to UV radiation. The Environmental Working Group (EWG), an organization that specializes in environmental research and advocacy, identified nearly 600 sunscreens sold in the U.S. that contain Oxybenzone, including leading brand names like Hawaiian Tropic, Coppertone, and Banana Boat, and many facial moisturizers as well. Avobenzone Similar to Oxybenzone, Avobenzone is a chemical that absorbs UV radiation and is easily absorbed through the skin, potentially releasing free radicals. Avobenzone has been shown to degrade significantly in light, resulting in less UV protection over time. Octocrylene According to recent studies, Octocrylene, causes bleaching in the algae that lives on coral, often killing the entire structure. The UN World Trade Organization estimates 78 million tourists visit coral reefs each year, releasing between 4,000 to 6,000 tons of sunscreen into the water. Several marine reserves in Mexico have banned sunscreens that use oils and chemical ingredients. Octinoxate The little amount of data on Octinoxate noted estrogenic effects as well as disruption of the thyroid hormone and brain signaling. Estrogenic effects can potentially increase cancers, cause birth defects in children, and cause fertility and other developmental problems.

3. Chapter 1: Best Mineral Sunscreens Homosalate Homosalate is a penetration enhancer that may promote the absorption of other harmful chemicals. Very little data exist on the effects of homosalate exposure, but preliminary data has found it to be a possible carcinogen. Octisalate Alone, octisalate may not be harmful. However, similar to homosalate, octisalate is a penetration enhancer and may promote the penetration of other harmful chemicals. Solution Although these reports are alarming, safer sunscreens do exist. Most physicians continue to support the use of sunscreen, but now advocate using physical barrier sunscreens instead of chemical based sunscreens. Rather than absorbing into the skin, a physical barrier sunscreen reflects or scatters UV radiation. It's like wearing millions of tiny mirrors. Most physical barrier sunscreens contain either zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. Click on any of the sunscreen ads located in this blog to purchase a safe and healthy sunscreen.

4. Chapter 1: Best Mineral Sunscreens Mineral Sunscreen Spray VS Sunscreen Lotion What are the Best Sunscreen Sprays? Summer means beaches, pools, cookouts, and time in the sun without a hat. For millions of Americans struggling with hair loss, this brings the challenge of protecting the scalp from the dangerous sun. Products designed for thinning hair, such as Scalp Saver Sunblock developed by Hair Loss Control Clinic, protect the delicate skin of your scalp, and maintain your hairstyle. Look for these four things when choosing a hair loss sunscreen for thinning hair. #1 Sun Cancer Protection Don't sacrifice protection for appearance. Look for a product with UVA/UVB protection. Scalp Saver SPF 46 is a natural, zinc-based formulation which blocks UVA and UVB rays. #2 Designed for Sensitive Skin The skin of the scalp is sensitive, and regular sunscreen can irritate it. For thinning hair, look for a sunscreen without parabens or sulfates. The best sunscreens for thin hair free of all irritants and is dermatologist tested. Scalp Saver can be used on sensitive skin because it is free of fragrances, parabens, colorants and sulfates.

5. Chapter 1: Best Mineral Sunscreens #3 Ease of Use Sunscreen for thinning hair should be applicable without altering the hair style. A greasy sunscreen weighs down hair and shows more scalp, so look for a spray applicator. Some products have additional components to make use easy. Scalp Saver SPF 46 sprays on white to ensure complete coverage before it dries clear for invisible protection. #4 Works with different types of thinning hair Different hair thins differently. For men, the top and back of the head is more likely to have thinning hair. Because this area is hard to reach and see, look for a sunscreen that sprays on in color and dries clear so that it is easy to tell where the sunscreen has been applied and where does not require coverage. Women's hair thins more at their part. Look for a hair loss sunscreen that sprays on so that it does not affect hair style. Children need a gentle sunscreen that dries quickly and won't drip into their eyes. Scalp Saver SPF 46 Sunscreen dries without dripping and children like watching it "magically" change color. Using the four criteria above can help you find a sunscreen for thinning hair that works well with your lifestyle and hairstyle. Sunscreens, such as Scalp Saver SPF 46, allow anyone with hair loss to continue to have an active and enjoyable summer without worrying about a sunburn or the risk of skin cancer.

6. Chapter 1: Best Mineral Sunscreens What are the best Sunscreen Lotions? With the increase in skin ailments like skin cancer and allergies to sun, it has become very important to use a sunscreen lotion when going out in the sun. Many branded companies have launched sunscreens with varying SPF powers to benefit each skin type. Fair skins are more prone to sunburns and other skin damages, so it is very necessary to use a sunscreen with high SPF factor. A good amount of sun protecting lotions should be applied in summer especially, when the rays are more powerful. Those with darker skin are less affected by sun, than those with lighter skin. However, both skin types need protection, but in varying degrees.

7. Chapter 1: Best Mineral Sunscreens All skin types have one factor in common; all of them tan when exposed to the sun, so the right kind of sun protecting lotion should be applied. This is because of the formation of melanin in our skin from sun rays. This is an essence which is the skin's natural protection against the sun and makes it darker. Different skins have rates of the formation of melanin; this is the reason why some skins tan faster than the others. The skins which create very less melanin are the ones which are very prone to skin cancer. The effect of the UV rays also depends a lot on the location where you reside, the power of the radiation and the type of skin you have. The sun is most powerful near the equator. A sunscreen lotion will work in various ways to protect your skin from the sun rays. Sun protecting lotions usually have a physical or a chemical filter against the sun, or a blend of both. Chemical filters work by penetrating the skin to absorb the harmful rays of the sun, to prevent it from reaching the lower layers of the skin to stop any damage to it. The physical filter in sunscreen lotions are a thin membrane on the surface of the skin that reflects back the sun rays. This mostly consists of zinc oxide, hence, the white coloring of this lotion. The best protection offered by a sunscreen lotion is the one which guards against ultra violet A and ultra violet B radiation. These sunscreen lotions are known as "broad spectrum" sunscreens. The chemical sun filters protect the skin from only UVB rays of the sun, while physical filters are good in guarding against UVA and UVB rays of the sun. The sun protection factor (SPF) is the way a sunscreen lotion's strength is measure against the sun. The SPF that you select or need depends a lot on the type of skin that you have. Normally, a sunscreen lotion with a SPF of 15 will suffice for most of us. However, adults who have eczema and children need to use sunscreen lotions with a SPF of 27 or more for ample protection from the sun. To get a more effective benefit from sun protecting lotions, you have to apply it 15-20 minutes before venturing out into the sun. If you are continuously exposed to the sun, then you should reapply the lotion after every two hours. Before going out in the sun, question that strikes the brain is how to prevent the skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun. The answer is simple- by using sunscreen lotions.