You’ve heard it before, and you’ll hear it again: sunscreens are a must-have component of any skincare regimen. South Africa has one of the highest monitored ultraviolet (UV) levels in the world, resulting in more than 20 000 cases of skin cancer being diagnosed each year, the majority of which can be traced back to UV exposure.
Furthermore, research shows that the incidence of malignant melanoma in South Africa is among the highest in the world, with at least 23.2 cases per 100,000 white people and 0.5 cases per 100,000 black people reported. With such alarming statistics, Vanessa Ascencao, a leading South African health expert, says it’s critical that everyone, regardless of skin tone, wears sunscreen.
1. Chemical Sunscreen
Choosing the right screen is difficult because many of them contain ingredients that are potentially harmful to your skin and the environment. Chemical sunscreen ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate, which are the main ingredients in chemical sunscreens, are being banned in places like Hawaii because of their role in coral destruction.
Chemical sunscreens can cause skin irritation and acne, in addition to contributing to coral reef bleaching. Mineral sunscreens, which contain safe ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, are recommended by Ascencao. These types of sunscreens are less likely to irritate your skin or harm the environment.
2. Mineral Sunscreen
There are plenty of sunscreens on the market, but reading ingredients you can’t pronounce can be perplexing, especially when the good ingredients are mixed in with the bad. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of ten mineral sunscreens that will protect your skin while also being environmentally friendly.
3. REN Clean Screen Mineral SPF 30
The 22 percent non-nano naturally derived Zinc Oxide sits gently on the skin’s surface as a barrier against sun damage, won’t clog pores, cause allergies, or irritate sensitive skin, and is formulated for daily use.
4. Avène SPF 50+ MINERAL CREAM
Avène SPF50+ Mineral Cream 50ml is formulated with soothing thermal spring water to soothe sensitive skin, and UVB and UVA filters provide maximum sun protection.
5. Sun protection from whitin
A healthy diet and supplements, according to Ascencao, support skin health and help to protect the skin from sun damage. She promotes a natural, anti-inflammatory, organic, whole food diet that includes blueberries, nuts and seeds, carrots and leafy greens, green tea extract, and cauliflower, all of which help to prevent wrinkles and sun damage while fighting free radicals that cause stress on the body.
6. Clinique SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Fluid for Face
It is an ultra-lightweight, 100 percent mineral sunscreen that is incredibly comfortable to use, even on the most sensitive of skin types.
7. Badger SPF 35 Clear Zinc Sunscreen Cream Badger Balm
This non-whitening sunscreen is free of potentially harmful ingredients such as aluminum compounds, titanium dioxide, or oxybenzone, and it provides broad-spectrum protection for up to 80 minutes without whitening.
8. Hey Gorgeous Gorgeously Natural Sunscreen
Every component of the Hey Gorgeous sunscreen is natural and made with the active ingredient zinc oxide. This mineral sits on top of your skin and blocks out harmful rays, protecting your skin from sunburn and premature aging.
9. Eli & You Natural Sunscreen SPF40+
With a powerful SPF of 40+ and long-lasting effects, this mineral-based sunblock made with zinc oxide protects you from the sun all day. It is also water-resistant, making Eli & You Sunscreen an excellent choice for the beach or popoo
10. Back 2 Nature Face & Body Mineral Sun Shield
This all-natural sunscreen provides broad-spectrum protection from both UVB and UVA radiation using non-nano zinc oxide. The non-comedogenic formula won’t block pores and is light enough to use on the face and body.
