Its easy to forget that every single product we put on our skin for beauty and skin care purposes contains a large number of chemicals. Despite many high street natural beauty products giving the impression that they promote healthy skin, a quick look at the ingredients reveals a long list of unfamiliar chemicals, many of which are actually detrimental to the condition of skin and can cause allergic reactions.
Never is the skin more vulnerable to serious damage than when exposed to sunlight. Yet harmful chemical ingredients in sun creams are causing allergic reactions and having potentially harmful side effects. You may have heard the phrase PABA sunscreens referring to sun cream containing p-Aminobenzoic acid. These were banned from sale in the UK in 2009 (as well as many other countries) due to concerns over their ability to cause DNA defects. Unfortunately, sun cream is still not completely safe.
Parabens are still commonly used in the cosmetic industry and in sun creams, despite being the source of many allergic reactions and being found in breast cancer tumours; a worrying link. Commonly used as preservatives, parabens such as methylparaben are found to actually react with the suns UVB rays, causing increased skin aging and DNA damage. Another worrying ingredient found in sun cream for children and adults is phthalates, which are gradually being phased out of many products in Europe due to health concerns. Young infants are extremely vulnerable to the adverse effects of phthalates, yet they continue to be an ingredient in many brands of sun cream for children.
The best way to protect adult and childrens skin from UVA and UVB rays is to buy a natural sun cream which is also organic. Many natural ingredients are effective at protecting the skin, and by opting for the most natural beauty products possible you are actively avoiding the harmful chemicals which feature so prominently in everyday life. Brands dedicated to organic skincare are making it easier than ever to choose effective and natural beauty products which are safe for anyone, even young children, or those with allergy-prone or sensitive skin.
Sun cream for children and adults should support the skins immune system and protect against cell damage, with vitamins A, C and E, found naturally in green tea, olive, avocado and rosemary, helping keep skin healthy. Look for an organic skincare range featuring natural sun cream without pore-clogging ingredients (a cause of prickly heat), PABA, parabens, phalates or artificial fragrances, which can cause allergic reaction.
Natural minerals such as titanium dioxide are an effective UVA and UVB screen, as are Cinnamic acid and Edelweiss extract. Just because you are choosing a natural sun cream it should still offer water-resistant properties for optimum durability, and this is often done through ingredients such as fruit waxes.
By choosing a natural sun cream you can protect your own, and your childs, skin, not only from the sun, but from dangerous chemicals too. Purchase your sun cream from an organic skincare retailer for healthy and safe skin.
Sun cream for children
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