Chemical-based sunscreens use chemicals to guard against the sun, while natural sunscreens use minerals. This means that chemical-based sunscreens actually absorb the sun’s rays with chemicals like oxybenzone. A chemical reaction turns the harmful rays into heat, which is then dissipated from skin into the air. Natural, or mineral-based, sunscreens instead reflect the sun’s rays, like a mirror on the skin. Natural sunscreens protect skin just as well (or better) than conventional sunscreens. And without harsh chemicals!

Why natural sunscreen rather than chemical-based sunscreen you ask? Even if you’re fine with the idea of a constant chemical reaction occurring on you or your child’s skin, there’s still plenty of other reasons to prefer natural sunscreen. These are the names of some of the chemicals used in conventional sunscreens: oxybenzone, avobenzone, octinoxate, octisalate, homosalate and 4-methylbenzylidene camphor. Many of these chemicals have been shown to be hormone disruptors and most have increased rates of skin absorption, which is the last thing you want a potential hormone  zinc oxide  provide broad-spectrum protection from the sun without the concerns of chemicals. Not only that, but natural sunscreens protect from the sun immediately upon application – unlike conventional sunscreens, which take up to 20 minutes to become effective.

This sunscreen is somewhat, but not completely, waterproof and will need to be reapplied after sweating or swimming