The Latest News on the Sunscreens

Plus Homemade Recipes to Make Your Own!

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Some of us are obsessed with sunscreen. And by some of us, I mean those whose skin is best equipped to handle about two seconds of direct sunlight before turning pinker than your Easter Peeps. Luckily, my sunburned skin is your benefit! Because here’s the latest news in sunscreen, a cool new eco-friendly product, and a recipe to make your own sunscreen. And all you have to do is keep reading.

There has been a ton of news as of late about sunscreens and how they are being retooled for our health. Skin cancer rates are on the rise, and the Environmental Working Group recently proposed that the extreme presence of chemicals in unregulated sunscreen may be damaging skin on a cellular level. But not to worry! The green beauty industry is producing an abundance of fantastic, healthy sunscreen. And importantly, they are widely available and relatively easy to find at area Whole Foods, health stores, and of course, online.

First off, don’t forget that a little sun is very good for you. We all need vitamin D to stay healthy, and this is best obtained through direct sunlight. In fact, a few minutes in the sun will give you enough radiation to produce “about 10,000 international units of vitamin D.”  While some experts urge as much as ten minutes a day without sunscreen, others suggest you start off slowly and work up your tolerance. And if you are darker skinned, you can spend even less time in the sun.


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So now you have your daily dose of vitamin D. It’s time to lather up with a healthy sunscreen. You want to pick a sunscreen that is free of parabens, preservatives, and chemicals, and is made with certified organic ingredients. But what to buy? Here’s a review of some of the best eco-friendly sunscreens on the market.

Luckily, there’s been a lot of new product for your skin this summer. Recently, I had to opportunity to check out Josie Maran’s Argan Oil SPF 40+. Josie Maran is free of paba, parabens, and it is cruelty-free. However, they do contain many chemicals found in drug-store sunblocks. For a more natural sunscreen, check out this product from California Baby, which the Skin Deep database rates a 2. Otherwise known as Moroccan Oil, this is Josie Maran’s organic take on an ancient product out of Morocco that has been used for centuries. It goes on a little thick – make sure you rub it in to avoid white residue. It is extremely hydrating and contains some organic ingredients. With a $32 price tag, you’ll want to use it sparingly. But little seems to go a long way. It is free of paba, parabens, and other nasty chemicals. And it is cruelty-free.

Want to make your own sunscreen? Sunscreen must contain titanium dioxide, which is the key ingredient to protect our skin. (Others contain zinc oxide, which has a higher hazard rating.) While some have linked titanium dioxide to cancer, the Environmental Working Group’s database Skin Deep gives it a low hazard rating. You can check out a recipe for a truly homemade sunscreen here.

And finally, check out this sun protection oil for your skin. While it does not replace a sunscreen, it does contain natural sun guards that will shield your skin from the mild rays.  Mix 1 tablespoon of sesame oil, 1 tablespoon of carrot seed oil, 1 tablespoon of kukui seed oil, and 3 tablespoons of vitamin E. (You can often find this is capsules – just break the capsules.) Mix in ½ teaspoon of jojoba oil. Place into a clear glass bottle, shake, and enjoy!