The Learning Lab

Zinc oxide is a mineral compound used for centuries in various health and skin care applications. Sun protection is a crucial aspect of skincare, and choosing the right sunscreen can be daunting. With numerous products on the market, it's essential to understand what you're applying to your skin. This article...

Is Homosalate Safe in Sunscreen?

By Kari Kenner February 17, 2021 |

Physical sunscreens typically rely on one or two active ingredients for sun protection. Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, often use three or more active chemical ingredients to ensure broad UV spectrum coverage and compensate for ingredient instability caused by sunlight exposure. If you're researching homosalate and its safety, you've...

What is Broad Spectrum Sunscreen?

By Kari Kenner February 15, 2021 |

Let’s face it, many claims on sunscreen labels these days are confusing and potentially misleading. If you’ve seen "broad spectrum" on sunscreen labels, but wonder what it actually means, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’ll discuss: What broad spectrum sunscreen means FDA’s blind spot regarding broad...

Is Octinoxate Safe?

By Kari Kenner February 13, 2021 |

Chemical sunscreen ingredients can be confusing and hard to pronounce. If you're wondering whether octinoxate is safe, this guide will clarify. We'll explore: Is Octinoxate Safe for Humans? Is Octinoxate Safe for Reefs? Let’s dive in. What is Octinoxate? Octinoxate is a common active ingredient in chemical sunscreens, designed...

Is Octocrylene Safe in Sunscreen?

By Kari Kenner January 04, 2021 |

Understanding Sunscreen Ingredients Octocrylene is a widely used ingredient in sunscreens. The skin absorbs it, and it can accumulate in the body. This compound is known for absorbing UVB and short-wave UVA rays, offering broad-spectrum UV protection. However, it also produces free radicals, leading to skin damage and DNA mutations,...

Is zinc oxide good for lips?

By Kari Kenner December 02, 2020 |

Yes, zinc oxide is good for lips when it is used in an SPF lip balm. Lips are thin, exposed, and easy to forget, making them among the most overlooked areas for sun damage. A zinc oxide lip balm helps protect the lips from UVA and UVB rays by sitting...