Let’s talk… Vegan Sunscreen!

Photo: La Saponaria

As summer is approaching, it’s good to have our beach bag ready, and one item that we should never forget is sunscreen! Choosing a suitable sunscreen can be difficult: there are so many considerations to keep in mind and the choices are endless.

Vegan and Cruelty-free

First things first, what’s a vegan and cruelty-free sunscreen? A vegan sunscreen does not contain any animal-derived ingredient in its formulation. The cruelty-free status means that both the ingredients and the final product are not tested on animals. So before going on a shopping spree to find the perfect sunscreen for your body and face, keep these two in mind.

What does reef-safe mean?

You may notice another sunscreen quality other than vegan and cruelty-free. Some can also be labelled as reef-safe or reef-friendly. This is a very important description to look for in your daily sunscreen, but what does it mean?

A reef-safe sunscreen is one with a formula that will not harm marine life, and although studies on the subject are still a work in progress, there are some actions we can take to limit the harmful effects of sunscreens.

Photo: Unsplash

Reef-safe sunscreen handguide

1. Check out the ingredients: as opposed to mineral sunscreens, chemical ones contain certain ingredients that can lead to coral bleaching, resulting in a slow death of the reef. The ingredients you want to avoid when shopping for sunscreen are oxybenzone and octinoxate, two of the most common UV-blocking chemicals.

Although researchers have been focusing on studying these chemicals, there are other ingredients to avoid such as parabens, especially Butylparaben which might also cause the coral to bleach.

2. Opt for a cream or lotion instead of a spray: A rub on sunscreen wins over a spray: this last one can easily be dispersed onto the sand and make its way into the water! Plus, a sunscreen spray is inconsistent In terms of UV protection.

3. Choose a water-resistant formula: whether you jump in the water just to cool down or whether you love to explore the sea with your goggles, try to choose sunscreens that have a water-resistant formula, this way you can limit the impact.

Your Daily Sunscreen

We can not stress this enough. Sunscreen is for all year long! You’re exposed to UV rays, no matter the season. But our skin is both unique and different from one person to another, and when it comes to sunscreen it may not always be a one size fits all kind of situation. So here is a list of vegan, cruelty-free sunscreen suggestions depending on your skin type and needs.

Photo: La Saponaria

Oily skin

Supergoop: It may happen that during the hot summer days, your skin will produce more oil, and if you are looking to minimize the natural shine you can go for a matte sunscreen that will help you achieve your desired look while still protecting you from UV rays.

SUNBUM: It’s important to apply sunscreen, even underneath your makeup. This formula works perfectly as a primer, especially for oily or combination skin, providing it with a matte finish.

Dry Skin

Paula’s Choice: If your skin is more on the dry side and in need of some hydration, you can try Paula’s Choice Skin Recovery Daily moisturizer, specially formulated for dry skin types, leaving it hydrated and plump all day long.

Freshly Cosmetics: Hyaluronic acid is a great ally for dry skin, and this lightweight formula will not only protect it during the day, but will also give your skin the hydration that it needs.

Mature skin sunscreen

La Saponaria: With the organic certification, all products are formulated without petrolatum, silicones, and ethoxylates by an Italian all-time favorite brand “La Saponaria” . Thanks to the combination of active ingredients, this sunscreen protects the skin not only from the sun, but also from smog, making it perfect for every skin type, especially mature skin.

NaturaBisse: If you are looking to protect your skin from UV rays while also giving it a boost, this sunscreen is formulated with vitamin C to help minimize the signs of aging, and leave you with a smoother radiant complexion.

Sensitive skin friendly

Pipette: This little gem is formulated in such a way that will protect the whole family! Suitable for babies and adults, sensitive skin now has a great ally against UV rays. It’s also fragrance-free.

ISDIN: People with sensitive skin need to carefully choose their products, sunscreen included. If your skin is intolerant to many ingredients, you might want to try this sunscreen, which is specially designed for sensitive skin.

Tinted sunscreen

Unsun: If you’re looking for extra coverage during summer go for a tinted sunscreen. Formulated for both dark and light skin types, this sunscreen might be your perfect match!

Tower28: Tinted sunscreens help even out the redness caused by sun rays while providing sun protection and light to medium coverage. Tower28 also does a great job of offering options for a wide range of skin shades

Perfect for kids

La Saponaria: Children's skin is especially sensitive and delicate, therefore any product they use must be water-resistant. This best-selling formula is perfect for protecting your children's skin from the sun during outdoor activities like play dates and walks, and while enjoying themselves at the beach or at the pool.

Goddess Garden: This gentle and effective formula is perfect for your kid's sensitive skin. Not only it protects it from UV rays while in the water, but it also nourishes and soothes the skin thanks to the coconut oil and shea butter.

Korean Sunscreen

Korean skincare products are known all over the world for their incredibly elegant formulations so we had to mention a couple of great examples.

Beauty of Jeoson: This lightweight non-sticky formula provides the skin with the hydration and nourishment that it needs, whilst protecting it from UV rays and giving it a natural glow.

Isntree: A sunscreen formulated for sensitive and dry skin in need of hydration. Thanks to its water based formula and hyaluronic acid, this product will provide deeper moisture, leaving the skin soft, hydrated, and with a healthy glow.

Buying vegan, cruelty-free, and reef-safe sunscreen will give you a chance to help animals and the environment while also protecting your skin. But we want to hear from you! Which one is your go-to this summer?