Sunscreen 101: Chemical vs Mineral and Reef-Safe - What You Need to Know

 Hey there, beach lovers and outdoor enthusiasts! When it comes to sunscreen, we all know it's essential for protecting our skin from too many UV rays. But did you know there are different types of sunscreen, and some are better for you and the environment than others? Let's dive into the world of chemical vs mineral sunscreen and explore what 'reef-safe' really means.

Chemical vs Mineral Sunscreen: What's the Difference?

Chemical Sunscreen: These sunscreens contain ingredients like oxybenzone, avobenzone, and octinoxate. They work by absorbing into your skin and then absorbing UV rays, converting them into heat which is released from the skin. Sounds cool, right? Not really.

Many of these chemicals have raised concerns about their impact on our health and the environment. Specifically, hormone disruption, absorption into the blood stream, dermatitis and irritation, potential reproductive effects and coral reef damage.

Mineral Sunscreen: Mineral sunscreens, on the other hand, contain ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. We ensure our minerals are "non-nano," meaning they are too large of a mineral to penetrate the skin and enter the blood stream. They sit on top, creating a physical barrier on your skin's surface that blocks UV rays. They're considered safer and more environmentally friendly than chemical sunscreens. Plus zinc oxide is soothing and calming to the skin.

What About Reef-Safe Sunscreen?

You might have seen the term 'reef-safe' sunscreen floating around. But what does it mean? Certain chemicals in sunscreen, like oxybenzone and octinoxate, have been shown to harm coral reefs. When these chemicals wash off your skin and into the ocean, they can cause coral bleaching and damage to marine ecosystems. Reef-safe sunscreens avoid these harmful ingredients, opting for mineral active ingredients instead.

Make the Switch: Why Choose Mineral and Reef-Safe Sunscreen

So, why should you care about the type of sunscreen you use? Here are a few reasons to make the switch to mineral and reef-safe sunscreen:

• Health: Mineral ingredients are generally considered safer for human health.
• Environment: Reef-safe sunscreens help protect our precious marine ecosystems.
• Effectiveness: Mineral sunscreens provide excellent, broad spectrum UV protection.

Plus, many mineral sunscreens are now formulated to be just as easy to apply and wear as chemical sunscreens. We stock tinted, untinted, glowy and matte versions. No more excuses! All are reef-safe.

Our Top Picks for Mineral and Reef-Safe Sunscreen

We've got you covered! Here are some of our favorite mineral and reef-safe sunscreens that are perfect for beach days and outdoor adventures:

FOR FACE:

• WILDCRAFT Wild Elements Organic Mineral Facial Sunscreen | SPF 50
• Solara Suncare Guardian Angel Super Peptide Sunscreen Milk, SPF 50
• RMS Beauty SunCoverUp Super Tinted SPF 50
• Saint Jane Body Sun Ritual | Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
• Solara Fortune Teller Tinted Brightening Serum, SPF 30 MicroTint 1

FOR BODY:

• Solara Go! Mineral Defense SPORT Superfruit Body Sunscreen l SPF 50
• Solara Go! Mineral Defense SPORT Superfruit + Aloe Sunscreen Mist, SPF 30

We recommend wearing sunscreen daily to prevent sun damage when you are spending more than 30 minutes outdoors or sitting by a window. For those first 20-30 minutes, we do need the sun's healing, beneficial rays daily for Vitamin D and in our eyes (without wearing sunglasses, prescription glasses or contact lenses)! And remember, sunscreen is just one part of your sun protection routine. Our other favorite sun defenses are wearing protective clothing, a hat, and seeking shade! Bonus: wear a Vitamin C Serum under your sunscreen as it will amplify your sunscreen's efficacy. 

Stop into Wildcraft to feel out and test drive our wide variety of mineral body and face sunscreens!

“🌞From the rising of the sun to its setting, let the name of the Lord be praised!” - Psalm 113:3