Would it surprise you to learn that many skin care products contain damaging toxins and questionable ingredients that can be harmful to our health and the health of our environment?

If we’re trying to mitigate the effects of UV rays, then why not mitigate the effects of harmful chemicals as well? In this blog post, we compare and contrast natural and commercial sunscreens to help you make an informed decision about the right sunscreen for you.

What is Natural Sunscreen?

Natural sunscreen products are made with natural ingredients, such as minerals, oils, and plant extracts. They are formulated to offer broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Natural sunscreens block harmful UV rays by forming a physical barrier between your skin and the sun, which means they work by reflecting or dispersing the UV rays.

What are Commercial Sunscreens?

Commercial sunscreens, on the other hand, are usually made with synthetic chemicals and they work by absorbing the UV rays before they can penetrate your skin. Commercial sunscreens offer broad-spectrum protection and come in various forms, including lotions, sprays, and gels.

Ingredients Used

One of the most significant differences between natural sunscreens and commercial sunscreens is the ingredients used. Natural sunscreens use natural minerals like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These minerals are not absorbed into the skin and sit on top of the skin to form a protective barrier. They are also less likely to cause skin irritation or allergic reactions. Natural sunscreens may also contain natural oils like coconut oil, jojoba oil, or almond oil, which provide moisture to the skin and help prevent dryness.

Commercial sunscreens, on the other hand, contain synthetic chemicals, such as octinoxate, oxybenzone, and homosalate, which are absorbed into the skin and work by absorbing UV rays. While these chemicals are considered “safe” by the FDA, studies have suggested that some of these ingredients can be harmful when absorbed into the body in large quantities.

Environmental Impact

Natural sunscreens are generally better for the environment than commercial sunscreens. Commercial sunscreens contain chemicals like oxybenzone, which can be toxic to coral reefs. When we swim in the ocean or take a shower after applying commercial sunscreen, these toxic chemicals can end up in the water supply and harm marine life. In contrast, natural sunscreens are made with biodegradable ingredients that are less harmful to the environment.

Effectiveness

The effectiveness of a sunscreen depends on various factors like skin type, the intensity of the sun, and the duration of exposure. However, natural sunscreens are generally considered to be more effective than commercial sunscreens. This is because natural sunscreens work by reflecting and dispersing UV rays, while commercial sunscreens work by absorbing UV rays. When exposed to sunlight, commercial sunscreens can break down and become less effective over time.

Price

Natural sunscreens are usually more expensive than commercial sunscreens. This is because natural sunscreens are made with higher quality, more expensive ingredients, and are often produced in smaller batches. Commercial sunscreens, on the other hand, are mass-produced and contain cheaper ingredients, making them more affordable.  

Conclusion

At Health Street we recommend skin conditioning (click here to see our blog on this topic) for sun protection.  However, if you find you need to use a sunscreen, then natural sunscreens are they way to go.  Although natural sunscreens maybe more expensive, they are worth is to avoid the toxic chemicals in the commercial sunscreens.  Regardless of which type of sun protection method you use, the most important thing is to protect yourself from harmful UV rays to keep your skin healthy and safe.