SPF Sources Straight From Nature

More and more, scientists and skincare experts alike are questioning the safety of many of the chemicals found in mass market sunscreens, not just for the environment but also for our own health. These chemicals commonly found in conventional sunscreens, avobenzone, oxybenzone and octinoxate, and many others, are absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream. This means when used over time, these ingredients could lead to serious health problems such as chronic skin disease,, immunodeficiency, hormone imbalance, and an increased risk of certain cancers, including, ironically, skin cancer due to these chemicals interfering with proper absorption of Vitamin D.

Of course, it is equally known that exposing our skin to too much sunlight over too long a time also can cause skin cancer and also give us painful burns and peeling skin in the short term. But how do we effectively protect skin from the sun on he outside without putting our internal health at risk? Many dermatologists and beauty brand formulators alike are investigating the sunblocking powers of many plants and other naturally-derived substances. Interestingly, some of these emerging forms of SPF are already prevalent components in skincare and, therefore, would provide many more benefits in addition to sun protection if they also could be refined for that purpose. Among the ingredients being undergoing further research are--

Zinc Oxide : This is probably the most well-known of natural sunblocks currently in use, and it is often blended in many more traditional sunscreens which also contain the possibly risky synthetic chemical ingredients mentioned above. On its own, however, zinc oxide has an SPF rating of 2 to 20 depending on the amount used. Zinc oxide works by literally blocking the sun’s rays from ever reaching the skin and is also believed to have somewhat an anti-inflammatory effect and can also work to calm minor breakouts in some people as well as have a skin-firming quality. Many scientists recommend, if you are wanting to try a blend of any of the other ingredients listed below to make your own homemade sunscreen, that they should be combined with some amount of zinc oxide for maximal, longest lasting results, especially since the other ingredients mentioned will be absorbed into the skin more quickly to work in the deeper layers but leaving the surface unprotected.

Carrot Seed Oil: The potential SPF rating of carrot seed oil is estimated around the equivalent of a SPF 35 sunscreen. Carrot seed oil is full of antioxidants, which help guard against environmental stressors and premature aging to the skin, and is also a natural source of Vitamin A, which helps to promote firmer skin with less wrinkles in the long run.

Red Raspberry Seed Oil: Natural SPF levels of red raspberry seed oil are thought to rank possibly even as high as an SPF 50. Like carrot seed oil, red raspberry seed oil is also high in antioxidants, and it is also rich in Vitamin C which purportedly can assist the body help prevent sun damage and also lighten any pre-existing sunspots and help to boost the body’s production of collagen for a stronger skin barrier overall.

Rosewater: Along with the popular aloe vera, rosewater is often used as a soothing after-sun spray to help calm the redness and peeling associated with sunburn. But some suggest that this ingredient could also have some sun protection benefits. Its estimated SPF rating is fairly low, being only around SPF 4, but it could be added to a sunscreen to help enhance the penetration and therefore the effectiveness of the other ingredients, while also adding a soothing boost of hydration to the skin as well as helping to reduce inflammation and flushing, which is common to get when exposed to the heat, even if we don't get burned.

Shea Butter and Coconut Oil: Both of these have an estimated natural SPF ability ranking around 4 to 6. Like the rating for rosewater,this is obviously not a high number. But both coconut oil and shea butter could be quite effective creamy bases to deliver other, more powerful SPF ingredients in a smoother and more easily applied manner, Both of these ingredients are well-celebrated for their moisturizing and also antimicrobial and antifungal properties too, which only could further serve the skin by keeping its barrier supple and strong and keep it from being weakened by any environmental damage, including sun damage,

We all want the best for our health and wellness inside and out, and this includes being aware of how to best protect our skin from the sun. As discoveries evolve, it is the hope of many that we will be able to find and cultivate many more viable alternatives to our common sunscreens to keep ourselves protect while avoiding any harmful side effects. For more information on these and other natural sunscreen alternatives (including on how to combine them to make your own homemade sunscreen) and on sun protection in general, check out this article from WellnessMama.com.