Finding a suitable natural facial SPF


The sun is shining today so I thought I would gloss over the topic of SPF (Sun Protection Factor). Lets start with a few facts and then I'll discuss it from my own personal perspective.
  • Wearing sunscreen helps reduce the risk of skin cancer and the effect of ageing to skin caused by the sun
  • SPF refers to the UVB protection but you want to use products with UVB & UVA protection.
  • UVA rays penetrate the deeper layers of skin, through clothing and accelerate skin ageing
  • UVB rays stimulate tanning and are partly stopped by the upper layers of skin
  • It is recommended to use SPF30
I have mention before my trials and tribulation with sunscreen. I'm Queen of the Allergies when it comes to sunscreen and it does not matter if it's natural or chemical. When I refer to a natural sunscreen I am looking at products that do not contain oxybenzone and Vitamin A (also known as retinyl palmitate and retinol) along with the usual ingredients I avoid such as parabens, mineral oil, artificial fragrance.

My parents educated me from a early age about the importance of sunscreen and I have also lived in Australia where it is part of your daily skincare routine. I know the media is now trying to educate people that whether it's sunny or cloudy, winter or summer you should think about protecting your skin. I admit I got out of the habit of applying this winter because I spend nine hours a day in an office. I tend to hibernate whereas in Summer I'm more inclined to head outside on my lunch break. 

When I go to the beach I use Ambre Solaire (chemical) or Lavera (natural) without major issues but that's usually only two weeks out the year when I'm applying it from head to toe. During the working week I am more concerned with how I protect my face during those rare occasions when I escape on my lunch break. Finding a natural facial SPF that will work under make up has been causing me brain ache. According to the The British Association of Dermatologists – 

"SPF used in moisturisers are tested the same way as sunscreens, so an SPF 15 moisturiser should provide an SPF of 15. However, these formulas are less likely to be rub-resistant and water resistant, and most importantly are likely to be applied a lot more thinly than sunscreen. They therefore are unlikely to offer the same level of protection. A moisturiser with an SPF will help protect you against small amounts of UV exposure, such as when you walk to the car or pop outside to hang out the washing, but sunscreen is better suited for longer, more deliberate UV exposure, such as spending your lunch hour outside. It is also worth noting that moisturisers containing an SPF may not contain any UVA protection." source - www.bad.org.uk


My next grumble with finding a suitable natural facial SPF is this country’s obsession with SPF 15. I want to use a higher protection, I'm talking minimum SPF 30. I had set my sights on Badger Balm Daily Aloe 30+ sunblock only to discover it is not sold in the UK, here we can only obtain the version which is SPF 16. Aside from Badger Balm there are only a handful of facial sunscreens with high SPF's, not labelled as a moisturiser, that have caught my attention. These products are -
  • Bare Minerals SPF30 Natural Sunscreen
  • John Masters Organics SPF 30 Natural Mineral Sunscreen
  • Lovea Organic Sunscreen SPF 50 Daily Face Cream (but from the reviews I have read I am not sure of its suitability under makeup)
So there you have it this is my on going saga of finding a natural product that fits my needs. To recap I want a facial product, not a moisturiser, that is free from as many nasties as possible, SPF 30+ that I can wear daily to the office under a mineral foundation. If you have a product recommendation I want to hear about it.

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