Sunscreens

What exactly is sunscreen?

Sunscreen is a lotion, spray, gel, or cream commonly used for sun defense, usually water-resistant. It lessens and blocks the effects of UVA and UVB rays radiation (from the sun’s ultraviolet rays) by absorbing it and reducing its piercing on the skin. Each one of the different sunscreens available has a distinct SPF, Sun Protection Factor.

This factor ranges from light sun protection, such as SPF 8, to a heavy-duty defense like SPF 50. The number indicates how well the sunscreen protects the skin from sunburn. According to all the different skin types, lighter or more intense protection might be necessary.

Yet not all sunscreens are vegan

One would expect vegan sunscreen to be the most common type of these products, right? Well, this is the case with these skin care products. Even though the beauty industry has evolved to include more vegan and cruelty-free options, a lot of sunscreens are filled with animal byproducts and many sunscreen brands still perform animal testing. A 100% vegan and cruelty-free sunscreen will be PETA approved and have the leaping bunny logo on its package.

What ingredients to avoid when looking for vegan sunscreens

If you want sun protection for your face and body while maintaining your vegan and cruelty-free lifestyle, there are many sunscreen options for you. Still, some products, like mineral sunscreen brands, might claim to be made of natural ingredients and without animal testing when this is actually not entirely true.

Avoid these

For example, most sunscreens contain beeswax and compounds that are not reef-safe. All ingredients such as this one must be avoided by all-vegan brands. Some of the other animal products you should watch out for are chitin, collagen, elastin, lanolin, and stearic acid. These animal byproducts are commonly sneaked into your favorite skin care products and made their way into your vegan morning routine. Beware of them and always look for the PETA certification and leaping bunny logo in your products.

Vegan and cruelty-free sunscreens offer UV light protection suitable for anyone

Even though many non-vegan brands offer a kids version of their regular sunscreen, the single main difference between it and their adult’s products is the fact that it contains lesser amounts of harsh chemicals, like zinc oxide. If you are tired of searching for separate products when shopping for your family and you would much rather avoid all irritants, then plant-based sunscreen is for you. Still, make sure you pick at least an SPF 50 sunscreen for your little ones, just in case they are out in the sun for a little too long of a while.

Main benefits of using cruelty-free and vegan sunscreen

It is great for the welfare of the animals

Since vegan products have no animal ingredients in them and are cruelty-free, meaning they do not include animal testing, no innocent creatures are hurt to create this beauty product. You can shield yourself from the UV rays while protecting the animals from all harm.

Nourishing ingredients

Vegan sunblock usually contains natural compounds that have a nourishing effect on your complexion. Many natural sunscreens have high amounts of vitamin E, which moisturizes the skin and helps to reduce inflammation. Green tea is another all-natural ingredient commonly found in plant-based sunscreens that your dermis will benefit from, as it combats premature aging while having a soothing and moisturizing effect.

There are no chemical ingredients involved

Most non-vegan sunscreen products tend to underestimate the value of having an all-natural formula, leading to their products containing a multitude of harsh chemicals. Most sunscreens with broad-spectrum protection include ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which are a definite no for any sensitive dermis. Vegan sunscreens are made of natural ingredients, like red raspberry seed oil or green tea, and there are also a ton of fragrance-free options. This makes these beauty products better for your skin and overall health.

It is usually biodegradable and reef-safe

The majority of cruelty-free and vegan sunscreen brands care a great deal for the environment. This is why they do not contain beeswax or other animal compounds, nor do they use ingredients that can damage the ecosystem. Some compounds, like petroleum-derived chemicals, are a hazard to coral reefs all over the world, damaging the planet when these beauty products end up in the sea. For example, oxybenzone and octinoxate are believed to cause coral reefs to bleach and have recently been banned in Hawaii for not being reef safe.

It is non-nano

Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are used for the nanotechnology found in regular sunscreen products. This tech works with particles so small that they can end up penetrating the cellular membrane, damaging your organism in the process. 100% vegan sunscreen is non-nano, meaning its protection against UV rays does not involve any of these dangerous ingredients and technologies. Avoid ingredients like zinc oxide if you want to be just that little bit extra safe.

Why you should always wear sunscreen, even if it’s winter

Everyone is aware of the fact that not properly protecting from UV light can cause skin cancer, but most people tend to wear sunscreen only during the hot summer days. This couldn’t be farther away from the safer thing to do. No matter the weather, if the sun is up in the sky, you will still need to protect your cutis against UV light. This is especially true for those with a sensitive dermis, as they are more prone to get sunburnt or end up suffering from skin conditions.

Sunscreen inside your home

Experts are even recommending wearing sunscreen when you are inside your house. This is because the Blue light coming from electronic screens might actually have a similarly negative effect on your skin as the UVA and UVB light. The key takeaway here is: please try to wear cruelty-free and vegan sunscreen whenever you can.

Effects of all UV rays (UVA and UVB) on your skin

UVA UVB rays might sound the same, but they have different effects on your face and body. Both can lead to skin cancer. This is why buying sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection is always the best choice.

Then, what is a broad-spectrum sunscreen?

This type of sunblock has a minimum of broad-spectrum SPF 15 and protects against both UVA and UVB radiation. Not all sunscreens possess these qualities and you should definitely check with your local brands to see which one provides this kind of complete sun shield.

Effects of UVA light (ultraviolet A)

These rays penetrate the dermis and cause dark spotting, excessive expression lines, skin tone disparities, and wrinkles on your dermis. They are so strong that they can go through a glass window and they are to blame for the premature aging of your cutis.

Effects of UVB (ultraviolet B) rays

These are the UV rays known for causing the most burns. When they skim the surface of your skin, they leave horrible tanning lines and painful sunburns.

How to use sun shield from vegan sunscreen brands at all seasons

Summer and Spring: Minimum SPF 30, or more, would be the best

During these sunny and really warm seasons, you will find yourself exposed to UV light most times of the day. Even the early morning turns dangerous during these few months. Resist the temptation to skip sunscreen while hoping for a nice tan, and make sure to have your broad-spectrum, SPF 30 sunblock close-by instead. If you want more protection, try putting on an SPF 50 sunscreen that has a tanning compound like carrot extract.

Plant-based and cruelty-free sunscreens that do not leave a cast and provide a matte finish will be your best bet, as the warm and humid weather will make you look pretty dewy already. Also, make sure all your sunblock is water resistant since you will probably spend a good amount of time by the pool or beachy coral reefs. Make sure to wear reef-safe sunscreen if you are going to dive into the ocean. For more than 80 minutes of UVA and UVB radiation exposure, you should apply a broad-spectrum, SPF 50 to protect your skin from the sun. Re-apply often during summer, especially when you are actively tanning.

Autumn and winter: Minimum of SPF 15, with SPF 30 you are good to go

Even when it is wintertime, the sun is still out there and UV radiation can still damage your dermis. This is why having a lightweight, moisturizing, cruelty-free, and vegan sunscreen by your side is the best strategy to protect your skin from any more unwanted harm. Not all skincare products, especially sunscreens, are exempt from the occasional strange white cast, so for daily use, you should make sure to check with your preferred cruelty-free and vegan brand to see what is the best fit for your needs.

Wintertime specifics

Perhaps for the wintertime, you do not need to look for reef-safe options, since you are most likely not going to be dipping your toes into the ocean for a while. A fragrance-free, SPF 30, and water-resistant sunblock that leaves a matte finish is a good choice for being out and about during the colder days. There is no need to worry about spending 80+ minutes in the burning sun, a basic shield for your day is all you should be concerned about

Be sure to wear at least SPF 15 or SPF 30 when you are inside too if you are planning on spending a lot of time in front of the computer. It is an additional measure that might save you a few irritations and skin problems in the future.

SPF

Now, when it comes to picking the best SPF for your dermis type, it can get a little trickier. Here is how to choose which SPF is optimal for you:

15

It can block about 93% of UVB light. You should go for this one if you are not planning on spending much time in the sun or if you have a darker, less prone to sunburns, skin tone. People with dry cutis can also benefit from using this kind of protection since they might have a good amount of moisturizing compounds added to them. Now onto one of the standard options.

30

It blocks up to 97% of UVB radiation. This is one of the standard SPF options, used widely by all people with combination or normal skin. It provides good protection while still being lightweight on the cutis. For people with a more sensitive skin, a mineral sunscreen with this factor might work better than heavier sunblock products.

50

It can block almost 98% of all UVB light. Sunscreens with this SPF provide extensive protection and easily stay put on the skin for longer periods of time. Although these products might seem heavier on the cutis, they are optimal for oily cutis, especially if water-resistant, since the sweat will be less likely to lessen their protection. For all the little ones, this one is usually the most recommended by dermatologists. If you are planning on spending more than 80 minutes in the sunlight, this one will provide much more protection than the ones mentioned above.

99

A sunscreen with this SPF one blocks 99% of all potential damage. There is not really a need for you to implement such a high level of protection for your dermis unless you have an underlying condition that affects your sensitivity to the sun. Generally speaking, you should not worry about wearing more than a sunscreen with SPF 50.

Sunscreens, do not forget about them

What happens when you forget to wear your plant-based and cruelty-free sunscreen? Well, here is a complete list of the terrible consequences it can have.

Skin cancer

This is the most serious potential outcome of not wearing sunscreen. If your dermis gets exposed for too long to UVA and UVB rays, your skin tissues start to form spots and visible tumors of various colors and sizes. Of course, the consequences of acquiring this condition can be brutal and you should protect your cutis properly in order to avoid it.

Spotting

Sunscreen protects your skin from sunburn and much more unwanted damages to your dermis. If you do not wear the necessary products, your skin will start to show black spots or moles. These do not go away easily and should be treated to avoid developing any more diseases. Be sure to re-apply your cruelty-free and vegan sunscreen every 80 minutes or so to be safe.

Sunburn

Your skin will start to itch, feel irritated, and start to peel off due to the burns. There will also be a few more consequences, such as spotting and long-lasting redness on the burnt bits. Use a mineral sunscreen for sensitive dermis and implement effective protection.

Sun-induced aging

If you do not wear a good cruelty-free and vegan sunscreen, your dermis will suffer from damaging sun exposure and end up drying terribly. Dry skin is more prone to generate wrinkles, resulting in premature aging for your cutis. Your face will look older and harsher.

Weakened immune system

Prolonged sun exposure can lead to the negative transformation of skin cells, suppressing our immune system in the process. To avoid this, make sure to wear more cruelty-free, mineral sunscreen whenever you will be near the sunlight for long periods of time.

Types of cruelty-free and vegan sunscreen

Lotion

A sunscreen lotion is a mix of water and oil, giving it a really moisturizing texture. It s light-weight and water-based, easy on the more sensitive skin types.

Spray

This sunscreen format is easy to apply and travel-friendly. On the other side, it can be a little too oily and take a while to fully dry on the dermis.

Cream

Sunscreen creams are more oil-based and can feel greasier than a lotion or spray. They have a thick consistency and provide additional moisture to the cutis.

Drops

A sunscreen droplet can provide a light-weight sun shield while being gentle on the more sensitive dermis. The small packaging makes them perfect for on-the-go protection and they are great for treating specific spots against the sun.

Sunscreen is the key

Now you are hopefully a little bit more aware of the dangers of skipping this skincare product. Protection against UVA and UVB light is needed at all times if you want to keep your dermis in prime condition. Buying a cruelty-free and vegan sunscreen is the most effective way of keeping your face and body safe from the sun while protecting the animals and coral reefs in the process.

Get it here!

You can browse through our selection of cruelty-free and 100% vegan sunscreen products. Stay sunny and stay safe!