Understand SPF, And Why It Matters

by | Apr 18, 2023

If you were born in the 80’s or 90’s (or anytime before that), you may be guilty of basking in the sun for hours to get a tan. If you are like me, I would burn and that burn would turn to a tan, and I would not think too much about it. I cringe now thinking about this strategy lol!

Now I know all skin types are different, so not everyone is able to lay outside for hours, nor is this safe for your skin. On the flip side, you have other people who avoid the sun because they burn so easily.

The LAST thing we should be doing is avoiding the sun.

We need vitamin D and the healing powers of the sun for our health is incredible. 

What we ALL need (no matter the skin type) is a good SPF; one that is safe for our skin, but one that actually works and keeps us from burning. 1 out of 5 Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer. Also, did you know that the #1 Anti-Aging product out there is sunscreen? Even though we need the sun and it’s wonderful, it doesn’t do great things for the aging process of our skin. I haven’t always been good about this, but as I get older, I realize the importance. I have become obsessed with taking care of my skin and finding a good, non-greasy SPF is crucial. 

Only two active ingredients have been proven safe and also provide adequate protection: (Non-Nano) Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide.

These ingredients act like a shield, sitting on the surface of your skin and deflect the sun’s rays. These are typically marked as mineral or physical based sunscreens. Here are some simple things to watch out for when choosing a sunscreen for yourself and your kids! Active chemical ingredients such as Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Homosalate and/or Octocrylene. Unfortunately, these ingredients can absorb into the skin and bloodstream with the ability to disrupt the endocrine system and alter reproductive and thyroid hormones.

As something we apply almost daily, make the easy swap to a mineral/physical based sunscreen. And watch out for other preservatives such as, Phenoxyethenol and also fragrance (parfum) that is added to most. 

Just a short list of sunscreen brands that I personally would NOT recommend or feel comfortable using because of harmful ingredients are Neutragena, Coppertone, Banana Boat, Australian Gold, or generic brands that mimic these brands. Even if a sunscreen is specifically branded for “kids,” does NOT mean it is safe or even better in effectiveness. Oftentimes, this is a marketing tactic and the ingredients are not better. 

Crunchi has the best facial sunscreen I have ever used. Their Sunlight SPF not only does it check the boxes of safety and quality ingredients, it works so well and isn’t greasy like other ones I have tried. (also rubs in so well with no white residue) It has received many awards at top facial sunscreen and the nourishing ingredients will not clog your pores or have any negative effect on your skin.

Here is the link to Sunlight SPF and I will also link another brand your whole family can use for a body sunscreen here. We like “Badger” and the All Good” brand.

Now get out in that sunshine, but protect yourself! 

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