Chemical SPF Protectants: What you need to know….

Do you spend a lot of time outdoors or driving in your car?  While we should be wearing sunscreen every single day many don’t.  With so many options to choose from how do you know which is best for you?  It’s confusing, we know so let us try to help.

At Sevani we prefer the use of zinc oxide.  Why?

A study by the Center of Disease Control (CDC) has discovered that 97 percent of Americans are  contaminated with a widely used sunscreen ingredient known as “oxybenzone”. This chemical is said to be  linked to allergies, hormone disruption, and cellular damage. Another study revealed this  chemical linked to low birth weight in baby girls whose mothers were exposed during  pregnancy.  This toxic ingredient is often used to help assist other ingredients penetrate the skin as well.   The skin is the largest organ of the body,  harmful ingredients are often absorbed via the bloodstream so we must do our best to avoid such contamination.

The EWG (Environmental Working Group) has identified nearly 600 sunscreen products sold in the  United States that contain this commonly used SPF ingredient, oxybenzone.  In addition, there were 172 facial moisturizers, 111 lip balms, and 81 types of lipstick with it.  Why? Manufacturers have provided SPF options to compete against one another in the raw materials market, but unfortunately it may be at the consumers expense!

Not only does our zinc oxide protect from harmful UVA and UVB rays but it also offers wonderful skin soothing properties and is beneficial for even the most sensitive skin.  Our  zinc oxide formula does not leave a white pastey film on the skin either!  It is lightweight and goes to work to protect our skin as soon as it is applied!  Zinc oxide also helps to reduce inflammation and reduce blemishes, redness and more, so it offers more benefits then just sun protection.

Also, a diet rich in antioxidants from whole fruits, berries and vegetables is a great way to supplement your body inside and protect from free radical scavengers and may contribute to preventing skin cancer.  Vitamins A and C are essential as our cells utilize these vitamins to regulate light absorption and protect against possible overexposure. Good nutrition is always beneficial to protect from inside out!

If you are going to be exposed to the sun more than your skin can safely handle (especially  between 11 am and 5 pm) , you can cover your skin with white cotton/linen clothing like long sleeve tops and light pants.

If you have a bunch of sunscreens you are confused about you may consider tossing ones with these ingredients in the trash.
– Para amino benzoic acid
– Octyl salicyclate
– Oxybenzone
– PAGA and PABA esters
– Digalloyl trioleate
– Cinnamates
– Avobenzone
– Cinoxate
– Padimate
– Dioxybenzone
– Phenylbenzimidazole
– Homosalate
– Sulisobenzone
– Menthyl anthranilate
– Trolamine salicyclate
– Octocrylene

Formulas with zinc or titanium dioxide don’t appear to have the same toxic side effects as listed above.  However, you want to avoid the small particle (nano particle) sunscreens as they are said to penetrate the bloodstream and could possibly be problematic.
Zinc oxide is stable in sunlight and do not appear to penetrate the skin. In addition it offers UVA protection,  which is sorely lacking in most of today’s sunscreen products.

EWG determined that mineral sunscreens have the best safety profile of today’s choices and guess what?  Our Daily Mineral Age Defense SPF20 is rated a 1 on the EWG’s database for Safe Cosmetics!  That is EXCELLENT!  In addition our products are vegan, eco-friendly and contain no synthetic ingredients.  Our preservative is an eco-certified all-natural preservative combined with natural anti-aging actives to create the ultimate beauty product!

Please do not hesitate to email us if you have questions about what products are best suited for your needs!
info@sevanibeauty.com

Start protecting today, it’s never too late!