Have you ever been out in the sun for a long time and then come back inside to discover your skin has broken out in small red bumps? Itchy, uncomfortable and embarrassing. If that’s not bad enough, now you have to deal with spots until they heal. Have you ever had a flashback of being on a deserted island as a kid when you found some coconut oil? You cracked open the nut, drizzled some on your skin and instantly felt relief. That’s because coconut oil is full of beneficial lauric acid that offers broad-spectrum protection against viruses and bacteria. But what if there was SPF 50 coconut oil? A lot of people don’t realize that the SPF rating on beauty products is not regulated like it is for sunscreen. In fact, most companies will use whichever version is lower just to make their product appear better than it really is. Most conventional moisturizers only offer an SPF 15-30 rating which means half or less of what you would actually get from wearing sunscreen every day over several hours (that’s why we suggest pairing our moisturizer with our sunscreen). Fortunately, there are many great alternatives to protect against UV rays that don’t come with such high levels of harmful chemicals like oxybenzone, octinoxate, homosalate and octisalate. The best part? Our formula combines all natural ingredients like organic aloe juice, sweet almond oil and avocado oil so there aren
## What is SPF 50?
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and it’s the measure of how well a product protects you from UV rays. It’s typically measured from the minimal amount of erythema (redness) you would experience if you were to get exposed to the sun’s UV rays for an hour.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the higher the SPF rating, the more protected you’ll be. For example, an SPF of 30 means that if you were to be out in the sun for one hour, you would be subjected to 93% of the UV rays while you were protected by 7% of the rays.
There are three main types of UV rays:
The SPF you choose should be based on the type of sun that you’re most likely to be exposed to. The highest number you should look for is SPF 50+ because higher numbers only increase the protection against UVA rays.
## Why SPF is important
Did you know that you’re exposed to harmful UV rays every single day? UV rays are invisible and there’s no way to shield yourself from them. However, you can protect yourself from the negative effects of UV rays by wearing high SPF sunscreen.
The most common skin conditions caused by the sun include skin cancer, wrinkles and dry skin. When you’re out in the sun for too long, you’re at risk of developing skin cancer. Darker skinned people are more at risk of developing melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer which is more likely to spread to other organs if not detected early.
Wearing sunscreen regularly can help reduce the signs of aging such as wrinkles and age spots. Healthy skin is hydrated and moisturized. If your skin is too dry or if you’re wearing makeup, your skin cells are less likely to receive the nutrients they need to stay healthy.
## Best Natural Sunscreens to protect against UV rays
Natural ingredients are the key to creating a good sunscreen. Look for natural sunscreen brands that use organic ingredients. Avoid SPF products that contain synthetic fragrances, alcohol and parabens. These ingredients can disrupt the natural balance of your skin and cause allergic reactions. Instead, look for sunscreen brands that use nourishing ingredients like aloe vera, coconut oil, avocado oil and rosewater.
Besides natural ingredients, another way to ensure your sunscreen is effective against UV rays is to look for moisturizers with a high SPF rating. This will protect your skin from the inside as well as the outside.
## The best organic sunscreens for protecting against UVA and UVB rays
Avobenzone Creamy Matte SPF 40 – This cream has an SPF of 40. It’s an oil-free formula that goes on matte so it won’t leave any greasy residues on your skin. It’s also non-irritating and has an anti-aging ingredient called shea butter.
## The best mineral sunscreens for protecting against UVB rays
Homosalate-Free Mineral SPF 30 – This mineral sunscreen offers broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection. The formula is invisible on the skin and will leave no white residue. It’s oil-free, non-irritating and has a matte finish.
## The best organic sunscreens for protecting against UVA rays
Aloe Vera Gel SPF 30 – This aloe vera gel is free from harmful chemicals and has an SPF of 30. It’s a non-greasy formula that goes on clear and leaves no sticky residue on your skin. It’s also anti-aging and has Vitamins A, E and F.
## Conclusion
There are many misconceptions around sunscreen and how they work. They’re not magic, they’re not a one-time thing and they’re not the end-all cure for all the problems in the world. They’re just another tool that you can use to protect yourself from the dangers of the sun.
You don’t have to be in the sun for hours at a time to be at risk of skin cancer. In fact, you don’t even have to expose your skin to UV rays at all to be at risk.
From the time you wake up in the morning until the time you go to sleep, you should wear a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15.
While SPF is an important factor, it’s only one of many factors that affect your skin’s health. If you have acne-prone skin or have dark colored eyes, you should use a sunscreen with a higher SPF.
Now that you know what SPF is, how to choose the right sunscreen, how long to wear it and how to protect yourself from the sun, you can enjoy your summer without worrying about your skin.
