Sunumbra

Interesting https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BEhzyX99f/

You're applying sunscreen.

But UV damage is still happening.

Be the first to know when a new approach to photoprotection becomes available.

What does sunscreen actually do?
What happens inside the skin?
Why does the Antioxidant Defence get Overwhelmed?
What's the missing layer of protection?

We've been following this science closely for some time and will apply a new approach to photoprotection soon that addresses this missing layer directly. We are not ready to say more than that yet, but we will be soon.
If you would like to be among the first to know when this new approach becomes available, please let us know ?
https://www.simplysunscreen.com/sunscreen-not-enough.html

Why Sunscreen Is Not Enough
You apply it every morning. SPF 30 or 40, maybe even 50, broad-spectrum, reapplied after swimming. You are, by any reasonable measure, doing everything right.
And yet the science is unambiguous: UV damage continues to accumulate inside your skin even when you follow every recommendation to the letter. This is not a reason to stop wearing sunscreen — it is an essential tool, and you should keep using it.
But it is a reason to understand what sunscreen actually does, and more importantly, what it cannot do.
https://www.simplysunscreen.com/sunscreen-not-enough.html

On this Earth Day, choose to use Reef Safe sunscreens. Preferably biodegradable too.
Not all Reef Safe sunscreens are fully biodegradable, as besides having mineral based zinc oxide as the active sunscreen ingredient, they may have inactive ingredients that are not biodegradable, which typically make up half to 70 percent of products.

If a sunscreen claims to be a "Biodegradable sunscreen" it essentially means that it will leave no lasting impact on the environment. Technically, the ingredients will need to be capable of converting to basic elements and be re-useable by biological systems.

Once used, the sunscreen in a format of lotion, cream, powder or spray, should not linger in the environment.

Chemical Free Sunscreen
If you're looking for a chemical free sunscreen, in my mind you're essentially looking for a sunscreen that is non-toxic.

Non-toxic is just not that easy a task! For something like sunscreens, you'd think they really should not be toxic?!

When I look at the ingredients listed on sunscreen packaging, I find myself thinking time and again, how incredibly difficult it is to know what is toxic and what not. According to many environmental and health groups, the majority of sunscreens are toxic either to the environment or to us humans or animals using them, or both.

It appears the key thing, is to look for a sunscreen using mineral sunscreens only as the active sunscreen ingredient - zinc oxide or titanium dioxide - to be able to embrace the sunshine healthily.

To embrace the sunshine healthily, say No synthetic chemicals!

Environmentally clean: biodegradable sunscreen
Global warming, carbon footprints and greenhouse gases, amongst other fearful terms, have become the subject of much exposure and hype in recent years. This increased global awareness has lead to increased incentives to buy eco friendly products, to recycle and to pay back 'carbon debt'. 'Eco' is definitely the new cool as the global consciousness towards not only the welfare of our precious earth increases, but extends to ourselves too.
Wearing sunscreen has the potential to harm the environment, surprisingly. Studies have shown that approximately 4,000 to 6,000 metric tons of sunscreens wash off swimmers annually in our oceans worldwide. A study in Jan 2008 concluded that the effect of organic ultraviolet filters used in sunscreen manufacture induces latent infections in the "lytic viral cycle of the symbiotic zooxanthellae" (algae).
Zooxanthellae provide corals with their food energy through photosynthesis and also contribute to the coral's vibrant colors. Without them the corals turn white, or bleach out, and die. Effectively, they concluded that sunscreens cause "the rapid and complete bleaching of hard corals, even at extremely low concentrations". As a result, they estimated that up to 10% of coral reefs are threatened by sunscreen-induced bleaching.
Because of studies like this - although increasing since then, there are still few - there are sun care companies selling biodegradable sunscreens, with some brands even specialising exclusively as a biodegradable reef safe sunscreen.
To be safe, you can choose a sunscreen with UVA and UVB broad spectrum protection without any of the environmentally harmful synthetic chemical ingredients, that easily break down in the environment and once broken down, do not cause any harm.
Constructing tests to prove these claims are understandably comprehensive and I am sure will have limitations. eg. How would it be possible to cover all aspects of the potential toxic effects of the different components of the sunscreen? The matrix to cover all ingredients in a variety of aquatic environments would be massive.

REEF SAFE Sunscreens
I found this great information site on Coral Reef health. https://savethereef.org/ It talks about the use of Reef Safe sunscreens and I liked what they say -
"Unfortunately the term “reef friendly” is not regulated, so you can’t always trust products with this description. It's important to actually check the “active ingredients” label on the back of your sunscreen or personal care product to ensure that reef-harming chemicals are not included.
The size of minerals can also have an impact. Be sure to use micro-sized (or non-nano) mineral sunscreens to avoid nanoparticles, as these smaller particles can be toxic in high concentrations.
It’s also advised to stick with lotions and avoid spray or misting sunscreens, especially those that contain titanium dioxide as it can be harmful to your health if inhaled.
Check the label! Make sure your sunscreen does not contain the following harmful substances on the "HEL list:
Oxybenzone
Octinoxate
Octocrylene
Homosalate
4-methylbenzylidene camphor
PABA
Parabens
Triclosan
Any nanoparticles or “nano-sized” zinc or titanium (if it doesn’t explicitly say “micro-sized” or “non-nano” and it can rub in, it’s probably nano-sized) "

Baobab seed oil, a 100% pure and natural plant based oil that is cold pressed to retain all its healing qualities, can be so helpful in building healthy skin or relieving dry skin conditions
Sunumbra sunscreens choose to use Baobab seed oil as our base oil, for the special properties it contains.
Why are these properties so special you may ask?

Baobab seed oil properties include:
* Vitamin D: known as the ’sunshine vitamin’, which is being upheld as vital to optimum health
* Rich sources of Ω-3 (Omega 3), Ω-6 (Omega 6) and Ω-9 (Omega 9) Fatty Acids: Essential Fatty Acids vital for the maintenance of healthy skin
* Palmitic acid, Oleic Acid, Linoleic Acid

Essential fatty acids build healthy skin and they are:
Acquired through ingesting the right substances, as our bodies cannot manufacture them.
Vital for optimal body health and obtained through one's diet or via topical application to the skin.
Required as part of the structure of cell membranes in fatty acid molecules (metabolites)
Part of the process of producing prostaglandins, a hormone like substance, which help to regulate cell function.
Assistants in building a water-proof function for the skin, or they counteract an impaired barrier function, to maintain the impermeability of the skin and stop toxic substances penetrating the skin.

Over exposure to the sun’s UV rays, poor health or immune systems and natural ageing processes, will typically result in these essential fatty acids being depleted. Steroids and such drugs can also deplete the skin layers of these natural fats.

Sunumbra sunscreen formulas chose to use indigenous ingredients to help boost the health benefits further than mere sun protection. Natural botanicals have been used by indigenous peoples for a variety of health benefits for goodness knows how long. This is mainly due to little having been recorded in any formal scientific way, but knowledge has been passed down for generations.
Once ingredients are selected, it's also been important to know the efforts made towards sustainable harvesting. A key ingredient for us here is the Baobab seed oil. It's absolutely magic and its in all our creams!