FOUND! My Summer-long mission to find an 100% natural, toxin-free, broad spectrum sunscreen that is lightweight, sits beautifully under makeup, and doesn't transform me into a slippery slimey oil-coated fish or dried out freakish-ghost has come to fruition. And I'm pumped.
As we roll in to Autumn in the Southern Hemisphere, I've noticed peeps putting the sunscreen away. Uh uh girlfriend. The Number 1 cause of premature ageing is the suns beautiful yet harmful rays. It's not often you'll find a photo of a dude on my Beauty Blog but I found this image intriguing.
The image demonstrates photoaging and the power of UVA rays in the premature ageing process.
This 69-year-old man had driven a delivery truck for 28 years. Ultraviolet A (UVA) rays transmit through window glass, penetrating the epidermis and upper layers of dermis. Chronic UVA exposure can result in thickening of the epidermis, as well as destruction of elastic fibres. Although exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) rays is linked to a higher rate of cancer, UVA has also been shown to induce substantial DNA mutations and direct toxicity, leading to the formation of skin cancer." The story was in the New England Journal of Medicine. Click here to read to the full article.
SLIP SLOP SLAP
Who remembers the Australian "Slip Slop Slap" campaign in the 1980's? Slip on a shirt, Slop on sunscreen and Slap on a hat. That simple, genius little jingle had a very simple message that is still relevant. Click here to see the original commercial on You Tube.
But it's bigger than just SLIP SLOP SLAP when ones heading to the beach in Summer. The photoaging man image highlights the need for daily sunscreen no matter what the time of year.
In a nutshell:
* UVA rays penetrate deep into the dermis of the skin, cause premature ageing, wrinkling and cancer.
* UVA rays are the same intensity all year around regardless of the weather and season. * UVA penetrates glass.
* UVB rays burn the superficial layers of the skin (and plays a key role in the development of skin cancer). * UVB ray intensity varies by location and season.
According to www.skincancer.org "By damaging the skin's cellular DNA, excessive UV radiation produces genetic mutations that can lead to skin cancer. Both the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the World Health Organisation have identified UV as a proven human carcinogen."
SPF Sun Protection Factor
The "factor" or SPF indicates how long before you start to burn compared to how long it would take skin to redden without product. For example, SPF 15 will take 15 times longer to burn than without sunscreen.
Are you still with me?
It's a no brainer, right? Slop on a broad spectrum sunscreen daily to combat premature ageing. Yep, even if you're walking to the shops, dropping the kids to school, or transiting to an office, sun protection is your Number 1 ammo in the "Battle of Premature Age-a-Thon". As for you chicks in the Northern Hemisphere enter the much-anticipated Summer season, it's time to sunscreen up.
THE NATURAL vs CHEMICAL SUNSCREEN DILEMMA
The quandary is this.
Regular "chemical" sunscreens contain toxic ingredients that mimic hormones and are potentially carcinogenic. The active ingredients in a chemical sunscreen are chemicals like oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate. Chemical sunscreens allow UVA and UVB to first be absorbed into the skin and then reflected.
"Physical" aka 100% natural sunscreens use a natural active ingredient, like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Non toxic. Safe. Plus they reflect UVA and UVB. If you'd like to learn more about the carcinogens found in chemical sunscreens, the EWG website is a superb resource.
For a long time I grappled with what's worse. The suns harmful rays or the carcinogens in chemical sunscreen?
But why don't I just choose a 100% natural sunscreen? Hence my Summer-long project to find the BEST 100% natural sunscreen that wasn't too gloopy or drying and sat beautifully under makeup.
TRIALLING 100% NATURAL TINTED MOISTURISER SUNSCREENS
Needless to say I've not tested every 100% natural, toxin-free, broad spectrum UVA and UVB tinted moisturiser with sunscreen for the face that's available on the market in Australia. I have trialled several options, below are a few:
AVOCADO ZINC
A broad spectrum high factor moisturising sunscreen, that's tinted. A great option if you have normal to dry skin. Available in the Amanda Ramsay online store Click HERE
https://shop.amandaramsay.com.au/collections/sunscreen/products/avocado-zinc-tinted-spf-50-sunscreen
EDIBLE BEAUTY BASKING BEAUTY SPF50
Bask in the beauty of this pure, ocean-friendly sunscreen formula providing broad spectrum SPF50 UVA/UVB protection with zinc oxide. This moisturising, age-defying sunscreen effortlessly glides onto the skin easily and is enriched with Vitamin E and Rosehip Oil to nourish the skin and provide a hydration boost. Basking Beauty is the ultimate plant-based, botanical and luxurious sunscreen.
Pure SPF50 Protection. The broad spectrum 100% natural zinc formula provides SPF50 sun protection from harmful UVA and UVB rays.
$39 Available at Amanda Ramsay online shop. Click HERE
This product rules. Naturally shields delicate and sensitive skin with non-nano particle Titanium Dioxiode. SUN PREP is formulated with skin caring ingredients such as organic sesame oil, organic aloe vera leaf, organic green tea leaf. Lightweight with a transparent, non-greasy finish, this Organic sun protectant, moisturizer and primer-in-one is free of all ingredients known to be irritating or increase skin’s sensitivity. Available at cleanbeautymarket.com.au
A spectacular multi-tasking moisturiser, foundation. Brill for hypersensitive skin or Rosacea, Eczema and Acne.
I think it's best suited to a normal/combination/oily skin. The SPF rating is very low and this is not recommended to replace your sunscreen - but to layer over your sunscreen. $45
Available in the Amanda Ramsay online store CLICK HERE https://shop.amandaramsay.com.au/collections/face/products/la-mav-certified-organic-bb-creme
THE BEST 100% NATURAL SUNSCREEN FOR THE FACE IS
JOSH ROSEBROOK NUTRIENT DAY CREAM SPF 30.
Finally I get to my announcement - the best 100% natural broad spectrum sunscreen to layer under makeup. Josh Rosebrook Nutrient Day Cream SPF 30 Tinted
This luxurious multi-tasking cream works as a primer, prepping and smoothing skin before make up, a moisturiser and a sunscreen. It leaves the skin with a beautiful glow - and at over 40 we need all the glowing help we can muster! It's lightweight texture sits beautifully under makeup. Not greasy. Not drying. Pretty darn perfect.... my only wish is that the tint provided a little more coverage.
All this 100% natural goodness comes at a price. The bad news is, it's expensive. But a little goes a long way and your health is the ultimate payoff. Smiley face.
WHERE TO BUY
Nutrient Day Cream Tinted SPF30 60ml is $136.
Nutrient Day Cream No Tint SPF 30 is $122.
For worldwide stockists go to www.joshrosebrook.com
CLICK HERE TO BUY
Congratulations if you've made it this far. It's an epic post. As always, I'm arming you with the info along with my professional know-how so that you can make your own informed choices.
If you missed my Facebook Live video on this amazing product, click here to see how I use it.
Love Amanda x
Check out my ONLINE MAKEUP MASTERCLASSES for WOMEN OVER 40.
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** Please note that there are some Affiliate links in this story. When you purchase using an Affiliate link, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. The advice given is my independent professional opinion and commentary is not paid for.
