The Truth About Natural Sunscreen Ingredients

The Truth About Natural Sunscreen Ingredients

Sunscreen is essential for protecting our skin from the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays. However, the claims made from some of these natural ingredients are proved to not be as effective as we thought.

UVA and UVB Rays

UVA and UVB are the two types of ultraviolet radiation that come from the sun. UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin, causing long-term damage such as wrinkles and age spots. UVB rays affect the surface of the skin, causing short-term damage such as sunburns. Both types of rays can lead to skin cancer.

 

The efficacy of natural ingredients- Zinc Oxide

Zinc oxide is one of the most common ingredients used in sunscreens. Even though zinc oxide is a chemical, sunscreens that contain zinc oxide are often referred to as natural, or physical. This means that the ingredient does not penetrate the skin but rather block the sun by sitting on top of skin.

Surprisingly, not all sunscreen ingredients protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Zinc oxide, however, does. “It’s a photostable, broad-spectrum sunscreen, so it has one of the broadest UVA coverages of all the sunscreen ingredients.

“Zinc oxide can be ‘micronized,’ meaning it’s processed into very small particles, so small that the preparation appears clear when applied on the skin.” Non-micronized formulations, she explains, are often less cosmetically elegant and are more opaque or white. So, if you’ve ever applied a sunscreen that left a white, powdery cast on your body, it most likely contained zinc oxide as a key ingredient.

Carrot seed oil

Carrot seed oil does have health benefits, but protection from the sun is not one of them. Carrot seed oil has an SPF of 38 but it does block the harmful UVA and UVB rays, and should not be used on it's own as a sunscreen.

Red raspberry seed oil

Red raspberry seed oil is a natural sunscreen with an SPF of around 28 to 50. However, it has not been proven to be effective against UVA rays. Because raspberry seed oil doesn’t offer UVA protection — which is responsible for 95 percent of UV rays — raspberry seed oil alone isn’t recommended as a sunscreen. Given its other beneficial characteristics, however, it can be used as a healing agent for other skin conditions.

Almond oil

Almond oil does have SPF, but it’s not very high. The SPF of almond oil is only 2 to 6. This means that you would need to apply a lot of almond oil to your skin to get the desired level of protection. Almond oil is also not water-resistant, so it’s not a good choice for activities like swimming or sweating.

Coconut oil

Coconut oil has an SPF of around 4 to 6. The Mayo Clinic also mentions that coconut oil only blocks 20 percent of the sun’s ultraviolet rays compared to sunscreen’s 97 percent.

It’s imperative that a sunscreen provides either UV-absorbing or UV-blocking protection to be effective. There is not one scientific study proving coconut oil, or any other natural oil for that matter, provided any adequate UV-absorbing or UV-blocking protection. But as far as zinc oxide (the main ingredient for sun protection in these DIY recipes), mixing active cosmetics isn’t as simple as adding the recommended amount.

Shea butter

Shea butter has an SPF of around 6, also not enough protection against harmful UVA rays. However, shea butter is known for its high concentrations of fatty acids and vitamins, an ideal cosmetic ingredient for softening skin. Shea butter also has anti-inflammatory and healing properties.

Bottom Line

There are many natural ingredients that can be effective for sunscreen. Some of the most popular include zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, and avobenzone. Each of these ingredients has its own unique set of benefits and drawbacks, so it is important to choose the one that is best suited for your needs. Zinc oxide is a physical barrier against the sun's rays, making it a good option for those with sensitive skin. It is also effective at blocking both UVA and UVB radiation. Titanium dioxide is another physical blocker that is less likely to cause irritation. It is not as effective as zinc oxide at blocking UVA radiation, but it is better at blocking UVB radiation. Avobenzone is a chemical blocker that protects against UVA and UVB radiation. However, it can be unstable in sunlight and can cause skin irritation. Ultimately, the best natural sunscreen ingredient will depend on your individual needs and preferences.

 

The Best Anti-Aging Essential Oils

The Best Anti-Aging Essential Oils

If you're looking for an effective way to reduce the signs of aging, you may want to consider using essential oils. Essential oils can help to improve the appearance of wrinkles, age spots, and other signs of aging. They are also a great way to keep your skin healthy and hydrated. In this article, we'll discuss the benefits of using essential oils for anti-aging care. We'll also provide a list of the top oils to use for this purpose.

Essential Oils for Anti-Aging: What You Need to Know

Rosehip oil is a great anti-aging oil. It is high in essential fatty acids, which help to nourish the skin. It is also rich in antioxidants, which help to fight free radicals. Rosehip oil can be used on its own or combined with other oils such as jojoba oil or evening primrose oil.

Jojoba oil is another great anti-aging oil. It is rich in beneficial fatty acids and vitamin E, which helps to nourish the skin and protect it from damage.

Grapeseed oil is another great anti-aging oil. It is rich in vitamins C and E, which help to protect the skin from oxidative damage. It is also a good source of omega-6 fatty acids, which help to keep the skin hydrated.

Avocado oil is another great anti-aging oil. It is rich in antioxidants, including vitamin E and carotenoids. It is also high in monounsaturated fats, which help to keep the skin hydrated.

Evening primrose oil is another great anti-aging oil. It is high in gamma-linolenic acid, which helps to reduce inflammation. It is also a good source of omega-6 fatty acids, which help to keep the skin hydrated.

 

The anti-aging properties of essential oils have been well known for centuries. Essential oils offer a natural and effective way to help improve the appearance of aging skin.

Here are 10 of the best essential oils for younger-looking skin:

 

Helychrisium italicum, also known as helichrysum oil, is a great anti-aging essential oil. It helps to improve the appearance of aging skin by reducing inflammation and promoting healing. Helichrysum oil is also known for its ability to reduce the appearance of scars and wrinkles.

 

Neroli essential oil is another great anti-aging essential oil. It helps to improve the appearance of aging skin by reducing wrinkles and fine lines. Neroli oil is also known for its ability to reduce the appearance of age spots and sun damage. There are several properties that make Neroli oil a savior to acne-prone skin, including antibacterial, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.

 

Patchouli essential oil is hailed for its use in skin cell regeneration. Blessed with umpteen active ingredients and anti-bacterial properties, it facilitates wound healing, effectively reduces wrinkles, scars, blemishes, and other signs of aging.

 

Rose essential oil has anti-inflammatory, cooling and soothing properties which can help with stress-related conditions in more mature skin types. It is usually extracted by gentle steam distillation from Rosa Damascena, the Damask Rose.

 

Lime essential oil is a powerful anti-oxidant agent that helps delay the signs of aging, such as wrinkles and fine lines. It also brightens the skin, evening out the skin tone.

 

Geranium essential oil is an astringent, which helps to tone and tighten the skin. It is also known for its ability to improve the appearance of wrinkles.

 

Lavender essential oil is not only great for relaxation, but it also has anti-aging properties. Lavender oil helps to improve the appearance of aging skin by reducing wrinkles and fine lines. It is also known for its ability to reduce the appearance of age spots and sun damage.

 

Myrrh essential oil is another great anti-aging essential oil. It is high in antioxidants, which help to fight free radicals. Myrrh oil is also known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.

 

Frankincense essential oil is perfect for anti-aging as it firms and tightens the skin. Helps with inflamed skin and reduces swelling and redness.

 

Carrot seed oil is high in antioxidants, which help to fight free radicals. It is also known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. Carrot seed oil is a great choice for those with sensitive skin.

 

The Top 5 Essential Oils to Reduce Age Spots

Age spots, also known as liver spots, are dark patches that typically form on the skin as a person gets older. While they are not harmful, many people find them to be unsightly and want to get rid of them.

 

There are a number of essential oils that have been shown to be effective in reducing the appearance of age spots. Here are the 5 best essential oils for reducing age spots:

 

1) Lavender essential oil – Lavender oil is another great essential oil for reducing age spots. It helps to improve the appearance of aging skin by reducing wrinkles and fine lines. It is also known for its ability to reduce the appearance of age spots and sun damage.

2) Sandalwood essential oil – Sandalwood oil is another great essential oil for reducing age spots. It has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, which can help to reduce the appearance of age spots.

3) Frankincense essential oil – Frankincense oil is another great essential oil for reducing age spots. It has astringent properties, which can help to reduce the appearance of age spots.

4) Rosemary essential oil – Rosemary oil is another great essential oil for reducing age spots. It has antimicrobial antioxidant properties.

5) Lemon essential oil – Lemon oil is another great essential oil for reducing age spots. It is high in vitamin C, which can help to reduce the appearance of age spots.

 

The Benefits of Using Essential Oils for Skin Care

Essential oils are a great natural alternative for those looking for effective skincare solutions. Here are some of the benefits of using essential oils for skin care:

 

1) Essential oils are packed with antioxidants.

2) Essential oils can help to fight free radicals and delay the signs of aging.

3) Essential oils can help to improve the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, age spots and sun damage.

4) Essential oils are anti-inflammatory and can help to soothe inflamed skin.

5) Essential oils are gentle and natural, making them ideal for those with sensitive skin.

6) Essential oils can be used to treat a variety of skin conditions, such as acne, eczema and psoriasis.

7) Essential oils are affordable and easy to use.

8) Essential oils can be used alone or in combination with other natural skincare products.

9) Essential oils are versatile and can be used for a variety of purposes, including skin care, massage, aromatherapy and more.

10) Essential oils are a safe and natural way to improve the appearance of your skin.

 

If you're looking for a natural way to reduce the appearance of age spots, there are a number of essential oils that can help. Lavender oil, sandalwood oil, frankincense oil, rosemary oil and lemon oil are all great choices. In addition to reducing age spots, essential oils offer a number of other benefits for skin care, including anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties. So if you're looking for a natural way to improve the appearance of your skin, using essential oils is a great option.