Safe sunscreens / sun lotion

[Ringo]

Hi,

Can anyone recommend a non toxic sunscreen, or similar alternative lotion available in the UK? At present it certainly doesn't look possible to buy anything off the shelf that's not laced with toxic petrochemicals.

Couldn't find a thread on the subject, so just to pass on the very basics after a little reading on the topic. The 2 main ingredients used in sunscreens to absorb and scatter UV light are Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide.
The sunscreens to stay clear of are the ones that contain Titanium Dioxide (most products usually contain both). The titanium in Titanium Dioxide is a heavy metal that is adsorbed straight into the body and stored as a toxic burden, also creates more free radicals that do oxidative damage to your body and skin cells, and increases aging processes. Zinc Oxide however seems to be much safer, cannot be absorbed into the blood (non-nanoparticle) and reflects a far wider range spectrum of light, so is far more protective.


Still looking around for natural Zinc Oxide based product (for kids mainly), so far the only decent popular looking range i've seen are made by a company called Badger health and body care, but thought i'd see what other people have found though before giving them a go..

I know obviously the safest way is to have 25mins or so of sun then just cover up, but with kids in schools these days if you don't provide an alternative they get covered in god only knows what!

cheers,
R

 

[truth seeker]

I know obviously the safest way is to have 25mins or so of sun then just cover up, but with kids in schools these days if you don't provide an alternative they get covered in god only knows what!

Do you mean that they'll force the child to wear sunscreen?

 

[Stranger]

This is an excerpt from the book "The Paleo Diet" from Loran Cordain about sun exposure and skin cancer:

"Scientists know that excessive sunlight exposure is linked to all three [skin] cancers. But this does not mean you should avoid sunlight in any amount. Here again, the experience of our hunter-gatherer ancestors proves helpful. Ironically, many studies have shown that people with high lifetime sunlight exposure (similar to that of hunter-gatherers) have lower rates of melanoma than those with low sunlight exposure. Also, indoor workers have a greater risk of developing melanoma than outdoor workers do. Even more puzzling, melanomas often arise in body areas that are infrequently or intermittently exposed to the sun. These unexpected findins have led researches to believe that severe sunburn during childhood, or intense burn in body areas that are infrequently or intermittently exposed to the sun, may be more important in the development of melanoma than cumulative exposure during adulthood.
When your exposure to sunlight is gradual, moderate, and continuous - if you don't get excessive sunburn - you body responds in a manner guided by evolutionary wisdom. The skin begins to tan from increased production of melanin, and the darkenend skin provides protection from the sunlight's damaging ultraviolet rays. Also, vitamin D levels in the blood begin to rise as ultraviolet light strikes the skin, causing it to convert cholesterol into vitamin D.
Vitamin D is a potent inhibitor of the cancer-causing process. In fact, vitamin D has been shown to prevent the growth of melanomas in experimental animals and cultured tissue lines.
An unexpected bonus of vitamin D is that it may also be one of our most important allies in the war against prostate, breast, and colon cancers. Evidence from population studies confirms that people with the greatest lifetime sun exposures have the lowest rates of these cancers.
Skin cancer is a complex disease, with several factors influencing its ultimate course. In laboratory animals, scientists have found that excessive omega 6 fats promote the development of skin cancer - but omega 3 fats slow it down. Furthermore, antioxidants like beta-carotene, vitamin D, and vitamin E tend to prevent the sun's ultraviolet damage to the skin. You can get these same dietary advantages when you adopt the dietary principles I have laid out in the Paleo Diet.
Exposure to sunlight is natural for human beings. It is part of our evolutionary heritage. Without sunlight, it is virtually impossible to achieve an adequate intake of vitamin D from the natural foods that were available to our hunter-gatherer ancestors. Our food supply has been a significant source of vitamin D for a very short time - less than a century, when dairy producers began adding it to milk and, later, margarine. Sunlight exposure is healthy as long as it occurs in a slow, gradual, and limited dose over the course of a lifetime."

The chemicals in most sunscreens promote cancer growing because these chemicals act as oestrogens and also the added vitamin A probably does the same.

In my search for natural alternatives I came across one which looked good to me. I used it a couple of times only to discover that it contains aluminium, probably to absorb or reflect the uv sunlight. Since then I just don't use it at all. It is completely worthless.

When searching for "natural sunscreen" I found these one, which may useful for your kids which is completely without minerals or chemicals:

MelanSol Ingredients:

* Water
* Sunflower Seed Oil
* Vegetable Glycerin
* Sweet Almond Oil
* Coconut Oil
* Jojoba Seed Oil
* Natural Lecithin
* Cocoa Butter
* Clay Mineral
* Grapefruit Extract
* Natural Vitamin E
* Bio-Melanin
* Green Tea Leaf Extract
* Date Fruit Extract
* Rice Bran Oil
* Lanolin Oil
* Xanthan Gum
* Geranium Flower Oil
* Lemon Peel Oil
* Lavender Flower Extract
* Natural Beeswax
* Eucalyptus Citriodora Oil
* Potassium Sorbate
* Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Powder
* Vitamin B2

Unfortunatley it is only their Moisturizer which is free of aluminium and nano size titanium or zinc oxide. But it may be great in combination with zinc oxide sunscreens or maybe just alone, because those antioxidants prevent most damage down by UV rays.

If you want to use mineral containing sunblockers, those with (not nano size) zinc oxide seem to be the safest (You will find some here). And this is a review of sunscreens only with zinc oxide with some recommendations. (scroll down)

 

[Gimpy]

If your children are allergic to sunscreens (and I know many who are allergic to certain ingredients, like sweet almond oil and cocoa butter) finding places that stock sunblocking clothing are another option:


http://www.sungrubbies.com/index.htm

http://www.coolibar.com/kids-sunhats.html?s_kwcid=TC|8789|sun%20hats%20for%20kids||S|e|6371301974

http://www.solartex.com/

http://www.amazon.com/Sunday-Afternoons-Childrens-Sun-Hat/dp/B000OFJFSE

 

[Gonzo]

I was under the impression that the fear of sun exposure was another recent myth to ensure our decline in health.

I vaguely recall seeing articles in the news recently that have indicted that only the rarest of skin cancers is of concern and the benefits of sunlight outweigh the risk of developing a rare cancerous melanoma. Unfortunately, I couldn't find them.

However, here's an interesting article from 2005 I found:

- Health and economic benefits from sun exposure are much greater than risks: study
(_http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/30769.php)

And then on Mercola's site:
- Does Sun Exposure Really Cause Melanoma
(_http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/03/24/Does-Sun-Exposure-Really-Cause-Melanoma.aspx)

I recall 15 years ago, our kids being forced the wear sunscreen at school, especially on school trips where the kids would be in the sun. I wish I knew about the benefits of the sun or the hazards of sunblock back then. I would have put something else on their skin and lied about it being sunblock.

Gonzo

 

[Ringo]

I know obviously the safest way is to have 25mins or so of sun then just cover up, but with kids in schools these days if you don't provide an alternative they get covered in god only knows what!

Do you mean that they'll force the child to wear sunscreen?

They request sunscreen is provided during the summer as a policy for when children play out, and apply their own if you forget. I could request none to be applied, but that'll just reduce their time out in the fresh air.

If your children are allergic to sunscreens (and I know many who are allergic to certain ingredients, like sweet almond oil and cocoa butter) finding places that stock sunblocking clothing are another option:

They're not allergic thankfully. Have had some sunblocking swim clothes when they were really young for when they were around and in water. Just glad i went that route through ease back then, and wasn't caking them in falsly advertised waterproof suncreens.

If you want to use mineral containing sunblockers, those with (not nano size) zinc oxide seem to be the safest (You will find some here). And this is a review of sunscreens only with zinc oxide with some recommendations. (scroll down)

Cheers, will have a good look through that list..

I recall 15 years ago, our kids being forced the wear sunscreen at school, especially on school trips where the kids would be in the sun. I wish I knew about the benefits of the sun or the hazards of sunblock back then. I would have put something else on their skin and lied about it being sunblock.

Didn't think about using a placebo sunscreen! Might have to try that in the meantime :)

 

[Stranger]

Didn't think about using a placebo sunscreen! Might have to try that in the meantime Smiley

Maybe just use the one I mentioned above (Or another beneficial cream with antioxidative effect.) ! :)

 

[Jacques]

Hi,

Can anyone recommend a non toxic sunscreen, or similar alternative lotion available in the UK? At present it certainly doesn't look possible to buy anything off the shelf that's not laced with toxic petrochemicals.

Maybe this one from Dr Mercola : _http://products.mercola.com/summer-survival-kit/

But you have to order it from the USA.

 

[Guardian]

I don't ordinarily use sun screen, just brown up slowly as the season changes, but I just went to Hawaii, rode on a catamaran, and my nose turned as red as a clown's. It got fried on day two.

A local friend took me to their health food store and I got:

Soleo Organic All Natural Sunscreen SPF 30

Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide (22.3%); Inactive Ingredients: Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Oil, Capric/Caprylic Triglycerides, Vegetable Oil, Candelilla Cera (Euphorbia Cerifolia Wax), Cera Alba (Beeswax), Macadamia Ternifolia (Nut) Seed Oil, Theobroma Grandiflorum (Cupaucu) Seed Butter, Green Tea Extract, Chamomilla Roman Extract, Lecithin, Safflower (Carthamus Tinctorius) Oil, Cucumber (Cucumis Sativus) Extract, Vitamin E Oil

The ingredients looked pretty good to me...but I'm no expert? I used it repeatedly for over a week, mostly on my face and it worked great...with no noticeable issues.

Edited to add:
Found it here:
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=DgB&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&q=organic+sunscreen&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=17852688998129008501&sa=X&ei=Ng-lTen4BMG20QHplOH1CA&ved=0CEUQ8wIwAg#

 

[Nimue]

Hi,

I try to increase the time in the sun from day to day, so my skin can adapt the
more often shafts of sunlight, and the emerging pigments build a natural sunscreen ( but I try not to distend the time in the sun),
for further natural protection and care I use coconut oil, and this works very good for me, maybe this could be an option for your children if
they tolerate coconut oil.. But to take the location into account could be important, maybe in other lines of latitude there could be a special protection appropriate.

 

[Ringo]

A local friend took me to their health food store and I got:

Soleo Organic All Natural Sunscreen SPF 30

Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide (22.3%); Inactive Ingredients: Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Oil, Capric/Caprylic Triglycerides, Vegetable Oil, Candelilla Cera (Euphorbia Cerifolia Wax), Cera Alba (Beeswax), Macadamia Ternifolia (Nut) Seed Oil, Theobroma Grandiflorum (Cupaucu) Seed Butter, Green Tea Extract, Chamomilla Roman Extract, Lecithin, Safflower (Carthamus Tinctorius) Oil, Cucumber (Cucumis Sativus) Extract, Vitamin E Oil

The ingredients looked pretty good to me...but I'm no expert? I used it repeatedly for over a week, mostly on my face and it worked great...with no noticeable issues.

Edited to add:
Found it here:
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=DgB&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&q=organic+sunscreen&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=17852688998129008501&sa=X&ei=Ng-lTen4BMG20QHplOH1CA&ved=0CEUQ8wIwAg#

Managed to find a UK provider of Soleo Natural Sunscreen, think i'll give that one a go too. Certainly ticks what looks to be the main boxes when looking for a good sunscreen:

NO chemical UV-absorbers
NO synthetic preservatives
NO titanium dioxide
NO benzoates
NO petrochemicals
NO artificial fragrances

For people in the UK here's a couple of suppliers.
_http://www.natural-alternative-products.co.uk/soleo-sun-screen-factor-30-water-resistant-75-g-p-191.html
_http://www.thegreenstop.co.uk/soleo-organics-sunscreen-30spf-new-family-size-150g-21-p.asp

I try to increase the time in the sun from day to day, so my skin can adapt the
more often shafts of sunlight, and the emerging pigments build a natural sunscreen ( but I try not to distend the time in the sun),
for further natural protection and care I use coconut oil, and this works very good for me[...]

Will get a good coconut oil bases cream too i think, mild days that can go in a little unlabeled container, hotter days the natural sunscreen can go in there, now that sounds like a plan! :)

 

[EGVG]

OMG I use sun block everyday!! On my face and body!! :O I also use vitamin A creams as retinoic acid! I guess I'll have to buy new ones.

 

[Gertrudes]

Another article just came up on Dr. Mercola's website on sunscreens: _http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/04/22/new-study-shows-many-sunscreens-are-accelerating-not-preventing-cancer.aspx

Although he says:

To get natural sun protection from both UVA and UVB rays, you will want to use a sunscreen product that contains the active ingredients of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.

So, I'm not sure of what to think of it.

He also adds:

You want to be cautious not to include any vitamin A in your sunscreen, or its derivatives retinol and retinyl palmitate.

Other safe ingredients that will nourish your skin include:

Coconut oil Jojoba oil
Sunflower oil Shea butter
Vitamins D and E Eucalyptus oil

Nourish doesn't specifically mean protection, but since it is inserted within this context they might offer some protection. Nimue also mentioned using coconut oil as protection.

The article has a link for a website including what are considered safe sunscreens: _http://www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen/best-beach-sport-sunscreens/
Quote from the website:

Our top-rated sunscreens all contain the minerals zinc or titanium. They are the right choice for people who are looking for the best UVA protection without any sunscreen chemical considered to be a potential hormone disruptor. None of the products contain oxybenzone or vitamin A and none are sprayed or powdered.

One of their sunscreens is by Badger, a product that I have used in the past with very good results.
Ingredients include:
Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Micronized Zinc Oxide 12.5%, Natural Beeswax, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Cocoa Butter, Wild African Shea Butter, Organic CO2 Extract of Seabuckthorn Berry and Essential Oils of Lavender, Moroccan Blue Tansy, Ylang Ylang, Lime and Orange.

For UK members, you can find Badger sunscreen spf15 here: _http://www.lovelula.com/pd_badger_spf_15_sunscreen.cfm
Or if you prefer spf 30 it is also offered on that same website, just search on _www.lovelula.com
By the way, Badger's after sun care is the best after sun care cream I have used so far (I'm starting to feel like a saleswoman..) particularly useful if you happen to get sunburnt. But that was before I found coconut oil and shea butter, so I might try these two this year as they are all natural and much cheaper.

 

[EGVG]

Hi! Just wanted to share this video I found on Youtube of How to make your own natural sunscreen, I hope it's helpful!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2rZRYG1vYM

 

[Gertrudes]

Hi! Just wanted to share this video I found on Youtube of How to make your own natural sunscreen, I hope it's helpful!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2rZRYG1vYM

Thanks EGVG, this fits nicely with many of the ingredients already mentioned in this thread. I'll try that!