The first and easiest way to take care of your skin is to start with sun protection, and this is even more important in Australia, which has the highest rate of skin cancer.  

However, have you thought about the sunscreen ingredients you put on your body?  Most of the time, you think you are protecting your skin against the sun, while the reality is that products containing harmful chemicals cause irritation to your skin and harm the environment.  

Why Sun Protection Matters? 

When I was young, I only used to put sunscreen on during holidays.  As I  grew older and into my 30s, I began to notice sun spots, pigmentation, dryness and fine lines on my face. 

As a natural source of UV rays, the sun can lead to the loss of skin elasticity and even skin cancer.  Sunscreen is the shield between the sun and our skin, which protects the skin from sun rays.  Ultraviolet rays can even pass through the clouds and affect the skin, leading to ageing and pigmentation.  

What Makes Sun Care “Clean”?  

Clean sunscreens are those protecting our skin without adding toxic ingredients to it. 

What to Look For? 

• Mineral-Based Sunscreens:

Choose zinc oxide or titanium dioxide sunscreens. These stay on the surface of the skin and block the UV rays and do not get absorbed into the skin. Mineral sunscreens are better and safer as compared to chemical sunscreens which are broken down by the sun and can be harmful to the skin.

Acocado Zinc is a great choice with non-nano zinc oxide as the ingredient.  

• Reef-Safe Formulas: 

Oxybenzone and Octinoxate, the two most popular ingredients in chemical sunscreens, are harmful to coral reefs and other marine life. Research has shown that these chemicals can lead to deformities in the coral larvae, damage the coral DNA and slow down the growth of the coral. The Great Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage property, has had a very high coral cover decline in recent years. 

• Without Synthetic Fragrances or Parabens: 

Most sunscreens are known to cause redness, itching, and acne due to the presence of artificial ingredients.  Unfragranced and paraben-free sunscreen is more tolerable to sensitive skin and can be used for a longer time. 

How to Choose the Best Sunscreen?

• SPF Matters: Wear daily with SPF 30 or higher. 
• Broad-Spectrum Protection: Check that your sunscreen can protect against UVA(causes aging) and UVB (causes burning and pigmentation).  
• Water-Resistant Formulas: For the sweaty or swimming set, pick a water-resistant sunscreen. Acocado Zinc has a waterproof body sunscreen that stays on the skin for 4 hours. 
• Tinted Formulas: It has the same colour as your skin, and it does not have that typical white cast that mineral sunscreens have.  

Everyday Sun Care Tips  

• Apply Generously: Use one teaspoon of product on your face and one shot glass amount on your body.  
• Reapply Often: Every two hours, especially if you’re sweating or swimming.  
• Use Sunscreen on Cloudy Days: UV rays can still get through the clouds. 
• Physical Sun Protection: Use hats, sunglasses, and long-sleeved shirts. 

Clean sun care is the foundation of a good skincare regimen. At AusCleanBrands, we offer non-toxic, reef-safe and high-performance clean sunscreens among the brands that we represent. Get the best clean sunscreen recommendations from our collection today.