Summer time is here. It's the perfect season to go the beach with your family or friends. Before baking yourself under the scorching heat of the sun, it's imperative to apply sunscreen (sunblock) generously all over your body and face to protect yourself from the harmful UV rays that cause sunburn, premature skin aging and skin cancer. However, some sunscreens available in the market can actually do more harm than protection.
According to this report by Environmental Working Group (EWG), most sunscreens on the market contain harmful chemical filters like oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate, which can cause skin allergies and might disrupt hormones. Among these chemical filters, oxybenzone has the highest toxicity level. For these reasons, EWG recommends using mineral-based sunscreens which are made with zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide - ingredients that are even safe for kids. The only downside to using sunscreens with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide is that they often leave a white cast on your face which makes you pale as a ghost when your photos are taken. So if you don’t want to look like a kabuki doll when your photo is tagged on Facebook, then mineral-based sunscreens are not for you.
To make your sunscreen shopping easier, I compiled a list of proudly Philippine-made natural and organic sunscreens.
1. ByNature Sunblock Away (SPF 75)
This is an oil-based sunblock for both face and body and can be used by both children and adult. Its ingredients are a combination of moisturizing plant-based oils, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, chamomile extract, among others. Since it's an oil-based formula, it's important to shake the bottle well before use.
Sunblock Away (SPF 75) is available at the ByNature online store for Php 380 (120 ml).
2. Milea Skinbrella SPF 30 Natural Sun Protection
This natural face and body sunscreen uses both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. It also has cocoa butter which is highly effective in moisturizing dry and sensitive skin.
Skinbrella SPF 30 Natural Sun Protection is available at the Milea online store for Php 155 (15g) and Php 395 (60g).
3. Human Nature SafeProtect SPF30 Sunscreen
Human Nature’s sunscreen is known as the Philippines’ first 100% natural sunscreen. It is a broad-spectrum sunscreen for face and body which has the highest PA++++ rating that provides superior protection against UVA rays and SPF 30 that blocks 97% of UVB rays. It’s mainly made of natural beauty oils (coconut, sunflower and castor oils), zinc oxide and vitamin E to name a few.
There is also a variant of SafeProtect SPF30 Sunscreen for babies and kids (6 months and up).
SafeProtect SPF30 Sunscreen is available at the Human Nature online store for Php 299.75 (50g) and Php 649.75 (200g).
4. Leyende Place in the Sun Sunblock SPF30
This lightweight, non-greasy sunblock only uses natural ingredients such as aloe vera and calendula extracts to help soothe sun-exposed skin. Their product formula also has zinc oxide and water which explains its lighter consistency compared to other purely oil-based sunblock. It also doesn’t contain any fragrance.
Place in the Sun Sunblock SPF30 is available at the Leyende online store for Php 600 (50 ml).
5. ONO All Natural Sun Blocker 30
Among all the entries in this list, ONO’s sunblock is the most affordable so there’s no reason for you to skimp on your sunblock application. Their product also has the simplest ingredients: coconut oil, cocoa butter, beeswax, non-micro zinc oxide and essential oils (for the natural fragrance).
Sun Blocker 30 is available at the ONO All Natural onlinestore for Php 60 (40g).
Have you tried any of those natural and organic sunscreens? Share your experience on the comment section below.
