All Natural & Organic Sunscreen

If what you put on your skin is as important as your desire to protect it from the damaging effects of the sun, you may be one of the small but growing group of fans of all natural and organic sunscreens. To be sure you are truly buying an organic sunscreen, read the ingredients or look for the official seal from the United States Department of Agriculture, or USDA, stating the product is certified organic.

Significance

Although the expressions "all natural" and "organic" are often paired on product labels, the terms are not interchangeable. All natural refers to plant-based products without the use of additives and preservatives, whereas organic refers to chemical-free farming standards, according to the USDA. Organic sunscreens are those containing organic agricultural ingredients that are produced and processed, according to National Organic Program, or NOP, standards. The USDA states that under the NOP, if a sunscreen manufacturer wants to include "organic" in the label, the product must be certified organic, according to Buzzle.com

Features

A growing number of manufacturers are producing eco-friendly sunscreens to meet the demands of consumers who want only natural and organic products on their skin. By reading product labels, you can make informed decisions. According to the Environmental Working Group, the safest sunscreen minerals--zinc oxide and titanium dioxide--are used in organic sunscreens. Some of the many popular natural ingredients added to sunscreens include skin-soothing botanicals such as lavender, shea butter, aloe vera, jojoba oil, green tea extract and coconut oil.

Benefits

There are several benefits beyond the ultraviolet A and B sun protection you will receive when you use organic sunscreens. For example, you can get sun protection without having to subject yourself to preservatives, additives or chemical sunscreens, such as oxybenzone. Another benefit is organic sunscreens are safe for babies, according to The American Academy of Pediatrics. Also, when you buy sunscreen with organic agricultural ingredients, you are supporting organic farmers.

Identification

To know if your sunscreen is all natural or organic, start with the label. If you can pronounce the ingredients--or at least recognize the difference between a chemical and a botanical--then chances are the product is what it claims to be. If you don't like what you find on the label, don't buy it. There are a variety of certified organic sunscreen products available. You should also look for the USDA organic seal on sunscreen products that claim their ingredients are organically-grown.

Types

New products are continuously emerging among the niche market of organic and natural sunscreen products. The following list is a sample of some safe, natural and organic sunscreens evaluated by the Environmental Working Group.

• Badger Sunscreen SPF 30
• Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen Sensitive SPF 30+
• Desert Essence Organics Age Reversal Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
• Soleo Organics Sunscreen Organic chemical free sunscreen SPF 30+
• Tropical Sands SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion