The Growing Appeal Of Using Organic Sunscreen

As the world progresses, individuals are becoming more and more aware of the products they use inside and outside their bodies. The appeal of organic products is popular. This is especially true in terms of sun care. The demand of organic sunscreen is on the rise.

In general, there are two types of sunscreens: organic and inorganic. These work by either absorbing or reflecting the radiation of the sun. Inorganic sunscreens typically have a chemical base while organic sunscreens contain more natural products. The term organic, however, does not mean that these products are naturally occurring or produced organically in total. It just means that they are made of hydrogen and carbon.

Many organic sunscreens contain natural plant derivatives, minerals and herbs. The most well known organic sunscreen is para amino benzoic acid, or PABA. A number of people have allergic reactions to PABA, therefore most current sunscreens are noted at PABA free. As a main ingredient, titanium dioxide is commonly used. Titanium dioxide is non-toxic while being able to block the UV rays of the sun. Organic sunscreens also contain other products including zinc oxide or benzophenone. Zinc oxide has proven to be effective when used in sunscreen.

Due to the popularity of organic products, there are a variety of organizations dedicated to certifying these products as organic, sunscreen included. They are responsible for investigating the quality and upholding a standard of organic. This standard varies according to each organization and their guidelines. The products that are certified organic are typically required to contain at least ninety to one hundred percent organically produced ingredients. In order for a product to display the phrase “made by organic ingredients,” it must contain at least seventy percent organically products ingredients. This system provides for a standard of quality and disallows companies to represent themselves as organic without truly being “organic.”

Organic sunscreen is an option for those wishing to use sunscreen free from harmful substances and unnecessary chemical additives. Keep in mind that organic does not mean all natural. A high percentage of the ingredients are retrieved organically, however. A good way to know for sure whether a sunscreen is truly organic is to read the label and ingredients. This is the best tell tale as to what you are actually using on your body.