Everything You Need to Know About SPF & Why We Created a Mineral SPF Facial Balm
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Hello, sunshine! Summer is basically here already and the weather is changing once again. The sun is shining! For us who live in areas where the winters are cold, dark, and harsh, seeing the sunshine again is invigorating! However, with this glorious appearance of the sun after the cold winter, we skincare regulars need to understand how SPF works. But... before we get into talking about SPF, we want to make it clear that we are not anti-sun - we love the sun! We need adequate sun exposure for a healthy body and healthy skin! Did you know that your diet plays a big role in how your skin processes the sun? For instance, those who eat a very high-antioxidant diet do not burn as quickly or easily. Anyways, research that on your own time =) With this said, we enjoy being in the sun without SPF to soak up those beautiful, vitamin D-rich rays. Our bodies need it! However, we do use regular sun protection through non-nano zinc to protect from blue lights (our phones, tablets, all the screens), and exposure to the sun for extended periods. With that said, let's start by breaking down some of the vocabulary surrounding sunscreen. -SPF: Sun Protection Factor -Broad-Spectrum: Protects from both UVA+UBV rays. -UV Rays: Ultraviolet rays -Two types of UV Rays that affect the skin are:
Note: The sun emits 3 types of ultraviolet rays: UVA, UVB, and UVC. However, we're only discussing UVA and UVB ultraviolet light because UVC rays do not reach into the earth's atmosphere, so they don't affect skin. However, UVC rays can be and are made by artificial light sources. Look more into that for yourself. =)
About UVA + UVB: UVA rays are year-round sun rays that penetrate clouds and even types of glass! They contribute to wrinkles, sun spots, hyperpigmentation, and also skin cancer. These rays are known to wear down and damage the collagen in our skin. UVB rays are more intense during the spring and summer months when the sun starts to come out, but can be blocked by certain types of glass and don't penetrate clouds like UVA rays do. They also are stronger at higher altitudes. These rays are responsible for sunburns and are the main culprit of skin cancers. Now that we know what the two different types of UV rays are, let's talk about the best type of sunscreen to combat these rays. Two types of SPF: The two types of sunscreens are mineral and chemical. Mineral sunscreen creates a physical barrier from UV rays. On the other hand, chemical sunscreens absorb into the skin and absorb UV rays within the skin. Which one is better at protecting your skin and overall health? In our opinion, mineral sunscreen is all around the healthier choice when it comes to SPF. However, the type of mineral SPF matters. SBA offers an antioxidant-packed, mineral, non-nano zinc-based sunscreen that is completely natural and reef-safe. In our silky smooth sunscreen are gentle herbs, plant butter, and oils that help aid sunburns as well. Our SPF truly is one of our most comprehensive products to date, working hard to protect and repair the skin in multiple ways thanks to its non-nano zinc oxide and host of nourishing ingredients. Speaking of, it is important to make sure the mineral sunscreen you are wearing is indeed non-nano zinc oxide. In simple terms, imagine zinc oxide as a powder made up of little particles. If those particles are bigger than 100 nanometers, it's "non-nano" zinc oxide. This is important because non-nano particles are too large to be absorbed into the skin. Instead, they sit on top of the skin and act as a barrier that reflects harmful UV rays, providing broad-spectrum sun protection without penetrating the skin's surface. Another notable feature of mineral sunscreen is that its SPF protection lasts longer on the skin than chemical. Why? Chemical sunscreen can only absorb a certain amount of UV rays before breaking down and becoming ineffective. We love that we can provide you with a non-nano zinc oxide SPF that is broad-spectrum and contains zero toxic ingredients like chemical sunscreens do... and some mineral ones too. You won't find any endocrine-damaging ingredients in our SPF. Just worry-free sun protection that is safe for the entire family! Is our SPF a moisturizer or a balm? One common question we get about our SPF is: Is it a moisturizer? Well, not exactly. It's more like a facial balm. Here's why. A true lotion or cream moisturizer for the face will have these 4 elements: humectants, emollients, occlusions, and a water or aloe base. Humectants are ingredients like glycerin and Hyaluronic Acid, which are found in two of our moisturizers (also in more of our products!), the Repair Cream and the Blue Tansy Ultra Rich Moisturizer. What do these ingredients do? They are great at drawing water to them which helps to deeply moisturize the skin. These ingredients help to bind water to the skin. On the other hand, facial balms contain emollients. Emollients are butter or waxes, like shea butter, cocoa butter, beeswax, etc. These ingredients help moisturize AND lock in hydrating ingredients. They typically sit on top of the skin, acting as a restorative barrier to the skin and trapping the product underneath which helps retain moisture. They also add a luscious and creamy texture to moisturizers. Some of our popular products that contain emollients are the Daydream Mineral SPF, the Sweet Dreams Glow Balm, The Eye Balm ™, and our various selections of lip and facial balms. So, our SPF does help your skin retain moisture, but it isn't a "moisturizer" due to its incredible emollients that help create a physical barrier on top of your skin. Our Daydream Mineral SPF is so smooth and creamy, gliding effortlessly on top of the skin, creating a moisture and SPF barrier. Many people call this product their favorite out of all the products due to its functionality and how gorgeously it applies to the skin. If you haven't tried our mineral SPF yet, we offer a sample size for just $3 so you can try it. We also offer sample sizes for several of our other products like Sweet Dreams Glow Balm, Blue Tansy Ultra Rich Moisturizer, Awake Coffee Serum, and more! Keep shining,
Brier C. & Chelsea Henderson (Founder & Formulator) |