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BANG FOR THE BITE
Natural sunscreens that don't leave a white sheen are a bit pricier and may irritate mineral-sensitive skin, but they won't make you look like Powder or his girlfriend.
COCKTAIL FACT
The ancient Greeks used olive oil to ward off sunburns. As you might expect, this wasn't very effective.
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home › tip library › Green Skin Care
Want to save your hide from sunburn?
The Bite
Rub on some mineral-based sunscreen. Healthy - not leathery - skin is what's in, but some sunscreens contain chems that do more harm than good. Luckily, natural, mineral-based versions are now widely available and better than ever.The Benefits
- Avoiding free radicals (associated with the sunscreen chem Parsol 1789), which has been linked to cancer, liver damage and Parkinson's disease.
- Effectiveness. Mineral-based options work just as well as old-school sunscreens without leaving toxins behind on your skin and in the surf.
- Cruelty-free protection. The production of our picks didn't harm a flea.
Personally Speaking
Heather loves Lavera's spray-on sunscreen. It smells like cinnamon heaven and is the first all-natural version that doesn't make her look like the guy in the movie Powder.Wanna Try?
- Lavera Family Sun Spray SPF 15 - a higher-end spray-on that does the job right with just one application ($26).
- Juice Beauty SPF 30 Tinted Moisturizer - a three-for-one: Even out your face's skin tone, hydrate, and protect at the same time ($29).
- California Baby SPF 30+ Sunscreen Lotion - made especially for sensitive skin, it's non-greasy and smells like fresh lemongrass ($18).
- Weleda Sun Lotion SPF 15 - great option for UK Biters ($18/£9).
- Skin Deep - see how safe your sunscreen is, ingredientswise.
Jun 26,2007
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All editorial suggestions in this tip are the result of testing and a preference for the tip topic. No advertiser has paid to have its company referenced in the tip. For more information, please read our Editorial Policy.
The Secret’s in the Sunkiss
Yesterday, I walked into the office, and Sara and Tosh said, "You look really good today! Sort of refreshed and rested."
The sad truth is that for the first time in ages I just didn't look pasty and white. I spent all of Sunday working outside in my garden and got the tiniest bit sunkissed. I hate to admit it, but I just look better with a touch of sun. I know it's bad for my skin (sarcoma, wrinkles...). I often wish I were one of those Nicole Kidman types (minus the freaky frozen botox) who look great when lily white, but I just don't.
So, it's lovely Lavera sunscreen and some outdoor time for me... apparently, it keeps me looking "refreshed and rested" instead of "Hey - you look lobstered and blistery!" (which you just know they wouldn't hesitate to say).
-Heather... off to pack for Montana next week...
The sad truth is that for the first time in ages I just didn't look pasty and white. I spent all of Sunday working outside in my garden and got the tiniest bit sunkissed. I hate to admit it, but I just look better with a touch of sun. I know it's bad for my skin (sarcoma, wrinkles...). I often wish I were one of those Nicole Kidman types (minus the freaky frozen botox) who look great when lily white, but I just don't.
So, it's lovely Lavera sunscreen and some outdoor time for me... apparently, it keeps me looking "refreshed and rested" instead of "Hey - you look lobstered and blistery!" (which you just know they wouldn't hesitate to say).
-Heather... off to pack for Montana next week...
Biter Comments...
Much of our population is vitamin D deficient because the sunscreen market and medical community has us running scared. The sun is a good thing. After all, it is a life giving source. Look at the flowers and trees for crying out loud. The best "sunscreen" is a diet full of antioxidents. I've noticed the difference in how my skin reacts to the sun. Of course, too much of anything is not good. Be sure to wait at least a month if you want to explore the diet thing and then know that in order to make vitamin D, you need 10-15 minutes per day on your face, hands and arms. Without enough vitamin D, taking calcium is a waste. Do some research on your own. The internet is great.
According to the Environmental working group's testing Badger sunscreen is the safest and most effective. The sunscreen is available in SPF 15 & SPF 30.
All those sunscreens are very expensive. We go through a few bottles over the summer alone with a family of 4. I buy healthy/earth friendly products for our family when I can but sometimes you have to bite the bullet and just buy the giant bottle of Target brand sunscreen. And thanks for bringing up the vitamin D deficeincy Deb. I am fully aware of this and me and the kids try to go out in the sun once a day for about 15 minutes without sunscreen. Be it a mini stroll, some weeding or plant watering.
Most people get enough "accidental" sun exposure by walking to their cars or sitting by a window to receive adequate amounts of Vitamin D. My dermatologist thinks it is very dangerous to advise people to go outside without sunscreen- when your skin darkens, it has been damaged.
Once a again, you recommend the more expensive, high-end natural products that many of us can't afford. What about the very serviceable sunscreens made by Jason, Nature's Gate, and others? Or the one I use, Avalon Botanicals Organic Lavender sunscreen?
This issue came up recently with your mascara bite: no mention of Beauty Without Cruelty or EcoBella or other more reasonably-priced options.
I understand the value of having eco-living seem hip and appealing to wealthy young urbanites, but that's really a small segment of the American population (which is who you seem to want to reach). If you really want Bite to have an impact, it will need to recommend at least some products that are accessible and affordable to more mainstream folks.
Sarah - thanks for writing.
With sunscreens, we tipped the brands that we did because they leave less of a sheen than many of the other titanium dioxide-based options (especially Lavera and Juice Beauty).
We've heard good things about the BWC and Ecco Bella mascaras. Unfortunately, both contain parabens, which we generally shy away from including in our Wanna Try selections.
Toshio, thanks for the response and the additional info on products. I hope you will consider the price issue, though, in future Wanna Try selections. Sometimes one has to compromise, and it's nice to at least be mostly or half-way Eco :-)
Dear B, of course your dermatologist thinks any sun exposure is dangerous. I've heard they receive financial kickbacks from the sunscreen companies. Our culture has become very fear based. Accidental exposure isn't enough to cause the body to make vitamin D. I don't believe darkening is damage; it is the body's way of providing protection naturally. The concern is when the skin is burned.
PS: I've heard that the reason that skin cancer numbers have risen over the years is in direct correlation with the decline of our diets.
miessence organics has just come out with a new products called REFLECT OUTDOOR BALM SPF 15:
"Reflect is a water-free nourishing balm with natural minerals that help reflect damaging ultraviolet radiation. Zinc oxide offers protection from harmful rays whilst organic olive oil keeps the skin supple. Potent antioxidants including natural vitamin E, beta carotene and polygonum extract, protect the skin from premature aging and prevent damage caused by the elements."
Unfortunately it is not available for purchase yet, but if you would like to be notified when it does become available in a few weeks, please contact me through my website:
www.anniesorganics.mionegroup.com
(click on the "contact us" link at the bottom of the page)
Cheers,
Annie
Independent Representative
I can't say enough good things about helping your skin out with nutrition. We live in Hawaii and I have a 15 month old who is VERY fair. We spend countless hours in the sun and rarely use sunscreen. In fact, I haven't put any on him in about 4 months. As long as he eats his oatmeal every day he never burns! One week he was on an oatmeal strike and I was supplementing with other whole grains and he got the tiniest bit red on his nose after we had been at the beach for about 3 hours mid day. That same day the kids who were wearing sunscreen got burned--go figure!
I know this sounds like I am some totally irresponsible mother by today's standards, but I think our bodies were built to handle these types of things as long as we take good care of them. A little color is natures sunscreen! It's the burning that is so dangerous!
I got through to the "Rate your sunscreen" website and could find no explaination of their Health Hazard, Sun Hazard and Combined Score rating system. Did I miss it? The stuff I use didn't do so well, but I'm not sure HOW it didn't do well.
Considering how few people apply sunscreen as a dermatologist would recommend, I don't think it's sunscreen that is leading to Vitamin D deficiency. I think it's that so many people don't go outside--not because they are afraid of sunburn, but because the indoors is often more comfortable physically, with plenty of entertainment.
As for darkening "protecting" your skin--well, I'm so pale that I burn very easily. My skin isn't doing a very good job of protecting me, so I'm going to keep using the sunscreen.
(And Nicole Kidman looks pasty, too, when her hair color doesn't contrast enough with her skin. Which is a lot of the time in the last decade or so, IMO.)
I missed this comment on the 26th (I was out in the sun... HA!) I completely agree with diet being a HUGE factor in how our bodies react to the sun. I have been steadily improving my diet for the last few years and have seen quite a difference in the way my skin reacts to the sun. My ND actually recommends being in the sun (not for hours, of course.) In small doses it is good for your skin and just makes you feel SOOOOO much better!
Okay I think it was Kathy that mentioned oatmeal? why oatmeal in the diet? I'm very courious to know this! Please explain!
thanks!
Jenn,
I can't be sure, but I think it is the antioxidants (vitamin E perhaps) in whole grains. I looked it up and found a couple of references to oatmeal, but usually it just mentions whole grains in general. Beyond that I am just going by experience. I also feed my son flax seed every day and that may have a lot of the same beneficial properties as a whole grain even though it is a seed. However, the only time he has ever gotten even slightly burned it has been after several days of not eating oatmeal. A lot of articles I have read about it mention Lycopene as being a good sunburn prevention, but I eat tomatoes like it is my full time job, and I don't seem to get the same results.
I do notice the same thing with my own skin with oatmeal but I really don't like oatmeal. I have to make myself eat it, but now I have one more reason to add to my mother's insistence to "eat your oatmeal".
I'm sorry I don't have any scientific proof for you, just my personal experience. I hope this helps.
Oh thanks Kathy! No I was just curious to learn more about it. I'm in Canada, so the sun is intense right now for the next few months and I've been wondering about sunscreens. I'm a reflexology practitioner and I know full well what we put on our skin soaks directly into our blood, so its had me really thinking about sunscreens of late. Thanks so much for answering me :)
jenn
The Environmental Working Group is an organization that has a REALLY neat and comprehensive database on skincare products including Sunscreens. It contains detailed health and effectiveness (in terms of blocking UVA/B rays) information on 785 products.
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/special/sunscreens/summary.php
I love Olivina’s hand creme and i slather on coconut body cream or shea butter before i go to sleep. It really helps the skin glow and feel all silky and smooth. Ive also notice since i started using the shea butter and coconut butter, my skin has become more receptive to tanning without the sizzling sunburn afterwards. And after every sunny day i moisterize to keep it all in. Ive been getting all my products from http://sensesandscents.com/ where i can get real good deals on products i love!!!
PHOTO ALBUMS
Posted by: Michelle Lynne Goodfellow | June 26, 2007 at 05:02 AM