Natural* Sunscreen SPF 30

What is natural* sunscreen?

In Australia, we have strict regulations about what a sunscreen can call itself and anything known or advertised as a ‘sun block’ is not allowed. The reason for this is because there is no absolute recipe for blocking all of the sun’s powerful radiation. There are also restrictions on what cosmetics can be referred to as ‘natural’ or ‘naturally derived’. Our use of the term ‘natural’ in referring to our products is in the context of all ingredients in our products being either as found in nature or refined, purified or transformed in the laboratory from sources in nature. It is doubtful that any sunscreen can be developed purely from ingredients that undergo no chemical transformation in the process of making them suitable for use in the end product.

Sunscreens typically contain active ingredients to protect against both kinds of harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun – UVA and UVB. These active ingredients fall into two main categories: physical blockers and chemical absorbers.

Physical blockers are made using natural* minerals, the most common of which is the mineral derivative zinc oxide, the active ingredient that offers you the same protection against harmful UVA and UVB radiation. Chemical absorbers typically contain some or all of the following active ingredients: avobenzone, oxybenzone, octylcrylene, octinoxate, octisalate, homosalate. These ingredients, which work primarily by absorbing some of the UVA and UVB radiation, are not used in Little Urchin products. Some brands of sunscreen contain both blockers and absorbers.

There’s a lot of information available about the so-called effects of absorber-type sunscreens. While they provide protection from sunburn and other illnesses linked to prolonged sun exposure, the toxicity from chemicals can be harmful to one’s health. Moreover, chemical absorbers, particularly oxybenzone and octinoxate, have been found to be harmful to natural corals in the ocean. Many popular brands of sunscreen here in Australia contain these ingredients.

The simple fact is that no human can fully enjoy the natural beauty and warmth of the sun without protecting themselves from the damaging effects of the sun’s radiation. Failure to protect your skin with sun protection may lead to premature aging and skin cancers. So, you need to be wearing sunscreen protection, but what’s best for your skin, your kids and the ocean?

We believe that physical blocker mineral sunscreens containing zinc oxide provide the most suitable protection. They are also the most reef-friendly. When worn on the skin, these sunscreens create a powerful broad-spectrum protection without leaving toxic residue in the ocean after your swim or on your body. When choosing your sunscreen, always opt for a minimum SPF rating of 30 to ensure maximum sun safety, particularly for children. (Studies show that additional protection from a higher SPF rating is minimal).

You’ll know that you have a more natural* and organic sunscreen as you put it on. In the past, zinc oxide-based sunscreens tended to rub on a little white. Remember zinc crème? Not everyone enjoys a thick, white coating over their skin while they’re trying to enjoy the beach or showing off that beach body that they worked on during the winter! The reason for the superior protection factor of zinc oxide lies in the surface coating on the skin which it creates.

Fortunately, the Little Urchin range of sunscreens has been specifically formulated to ensure that it rubs in well, leaving no shiny residue on your skin. As an oil and mineral-based, UV natural* blocker, our sunscreen is great for people with sensitive skin, including that of children. Suitable as an adult sunscreen, a baby sunscreen (for littlies over 6 months old) and a reef safe sunscreen, our sunscreen provides you, your children and the planet protection while you’re wearing it.

To use our range of sunscreen, apply the lotion liberally and evenly to clean and dry skin – both face and body - about 20 minutes before you’re ready to head out into the sun. This ensures that the zinc-based sunscreen has a chance to settle and start protecting your skin. Our natural* sunscreen is water resistant for up to 3 hours but it’s important to reapply our sunscreen to your skin every 1-2 hours to ensure maximum protection, particularly throughout the hottest part of the day. You may need to apply even more often if you’re heavily perspiring or swimming and then towel-drying afterward. Our gentle formulation makes our range of natural* sunscreen the perfect type of sunscreen for your face and body.

Not only does our range of natural* sunscreen, containing organic sunscreen ingredients, protect your and your family’s skin from UV rays, it’s also rich in antioxidants. Check out our range of natural* moisturiser and natural* tinted sunscreen for more natural* skincare products that are safe to use for both you and the environment.

Finally, as part of our commitment to the environment and preserving the beauty of the ocean for all to share, we are a member of the One Percent for the Planet movement. We donate at least 1% of our annual sales revenue to environmental organisations around the world who are committed to fighting for the planet. Research has shown that non-nano zinc oxide – the active ingredient in our range of natural* sunscreen – is suitable for use on sensitive skin and is safe for the marine environment we all love to play in.

Be kind to your skin and the environment. Use the Little Urchin range of natural* sunscreen to protect your family from nasty chemicals, to protect our natural reefs from chemical residue and to enjoy your precious time under the warm rays of the sun. All of our products are free from preservatives, do not contain any UV chemical absorbers, titanium dioxide, parabens, synthetic preservatives or synthetic fragrances.

*We use the term ‘natural’ because the ingredients in our products are ones found in nature that are unharmful to the body and used in their natural form or are refined, purified or transformed in the laboratory from sources in nature. The refinement, purification and transformation processes of certain ingredients are chemical processes required to make the underlying, natural ingredients suitable for use in a sunscreen or moisturiser product. These processes do not involve the use of synthetic chemicals.