How are traditional sunscreens and after-sun creams harmful to human and planetary health?

They are composed of chemical filters and endocrine disruptors that poison underwater life and enter our body by crossing our skin barrier.

 

By the way, they are contained in plastic tubes and this one ends up most of the time in the ocean.

 

We are part of the generation that grew up with these types of products and many of us will say that they are in good health, that sunscreens did not hurt them. However, the health of our society is worrying (increasing cancer rate, ever earlier onset of puberty, etc.) and it is impossible to single out a single cause (diet, stress, hygiene of life, cosmetics). Eliminating a source of chemicals and endocrine disruptors in our body can only be beneficial.

It is also not recommended to apply sunscreen on a baby, because his skin barrier is still much too weak; the idea behind this advice is to prevent this type of product from entering your body. Children and adults do not have an impermeable skin barrier, let's protect them too.

 

That said, despite all efforts to produce a clean cream, sunscreen is still harmful to the marine ecosystem. But it is much better than a chemical cream; it is the best alternative we currently have.

 

So how do you protect yourself without these adverse effects?

By opting for sunscreens whose ingredients are of natural origin in which chemical sunscreens are replaced by mineral filters, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

 

Are these natural filters as effective as chemical filters?

Yes, they protect against both types of UV rays; UVA rays which penetrate deep into skin and cause it to age and UVB rays which burn and are responsible for skin cancer.

If a cream displays an SPF 50 it means that it actually has this protection index. A brand cannot display an ingress protection without verification. It's very regulated.

 

What is the difference between the 30 and the 50?

An index of 30 protects 95% of the sun's rays and an index of 50 to 98%.

For sensitive parts of the body or for sensitive skin, a protection factor of 50 is recommended.

 

Does a natural sunscreen keep as long as a chemical cream?

A little less, one season (about 6 months) because it does not contain preservatives. This is one of the reasons why our packaging is small and compact (75ml).

We are working on larger formats for families, but they will not exceed 150-200ml never very large to avoid ending a season with an almost full tube and thus avoid waste.

 

Is the price comparable?

They are a bit more expensive. Mineral filters are expensive and difficult to work with; some laboratories therefore do not want to work with these ingredients (it leaves white traces in their production line, the tubes must then be washed well, it is oily, etc.).

However, during a family vacation with another family of comparable composition (3 children) and applying cream at the same frequency, we used a 75ml tube of cream and the other family emptied a 200ml spray of a traditional sunscreen. The use of a spray leads to a huge loss during vaporization.

 

Does it apply so easily?

The ease of application depends on the mineral filter used.

The cream with an SPF 30 (containing zinc oxide) is very easy to apply, like any traditional cream.

On the other hand, to reach an SPF 50, it is necessary to add titanium dioxide, which makes the texture thicker. It takes longer to spread and therefore requires a little more effort.

 

Can the cream be used on a baby?

Yes, it does not contain any product harmful to his health. However, it is better to avoid putting your baby in the sun ;) because his skin is really very fragile...

 

How to convince those who are not ready to change their habits, abandon the brands they have always known?

Remembering that it is better for their health.

Starting with SPF 30 cream and after-sun because the textures are quite comparable to traditional sunscreens.

Second, the format is convenient; a small tube that easily fits in a bag.

Finally, the smell is highly appreciated.

 

The cream with protection factor 50 is composed of 99% ingredients of natural origin. So does it contain 1% chemicals?

No, it only contains natural ingredients, but 1% of these have been transformed or reworked and therefore do not appear in the product in their natural form.

 

The packaging is referred to as "zero waste". So everything is recyclable?

Yes, the cardboard box of the packaging can be composted (in your own garden, no need for industrial compost), the glass jars of the sunscreen are thrown in the glass bubble (the glass is infinitely recyclable ) and the recycled aluminum tube is thrown into the PMC bin (also infinitely recyclable; by the way, aluminum costs less to recycle than to produce!)

Eventually, the plastic cap from the tube can be saved for reuse on the next tube to avoid the plastic production of an extra cap!

 

If you don't have your sunscreen for the summer yet, see you here