The Learning Lab
How does zinc oxide sunscreen work?
On February 2019, the FDA recommend the GRASE (generally recognized as safe and effective) status on only two active ingredients for use in sunscreen: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. The FDA also requested further research on the remaining active ingredients including oxybenzone and octinoxate) before they can be listed as...
What does reef safe sunscreen mean?
We should start by explaining the terms “reef safe” and “reef friendly" are not regulated by the FDA, and their growing use is largely due to the sunscreen industry’s desire to attract eco-conscience consumers. The trouble is common sunscreen makers are adding “reef safe” to their sunscreens when in fact,...
Is zinc oxide good for lips?
We must wear daily sunscreen, and we should always include our lips too. Check your lip balm ingredients; they might not protect you from UV rays. As you avoid petrochemicals in sunscreen, double-check your lip balm has no chemical additives. Zinc oxide is a great ingredient when searching for a...
Ingredient Spotlight: Coconut Oil
5 Ways to use Coconut Oil for Skin and Face Moisturizer Sunburn Relief Sunscreen Makeup Remover Shave Cream Coconut oil has been a skin softener for 1000s of years. It is made from the extracted meat of the seed from the coconut tree, cocos nucifera. Coconut oil is full of...
What is zinc oxide sunscreen?
Zinc oxide sunscreen uses the mineral compound zinc oxide as an active ingredient. It sits atop of the skin where it absorbs and reflects UV rays, converts them into infrared heat energy, which radiates safely away from the skin. Zinc oxide sunscreens start working immediately and do not seep into...
Reef Safe Sunscreen Ingredients to Avoid
The term "Reef Safe Sunscreen" is unregulated and often misleading. Many sunscreen manufacturers use the term in their marketing because the product doesn’t contain oxybenzone or octinoxate, but in reality any sunscreen containing any petrochemical is NOT reef safe and should be avoided. Petrochemicals (chemicals derived from oil) do not...