The Learning Lab

How does zinc oxide sunscreen work?

By Kari Kenner December 06, 2020 |

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?

By Kari Kenner December 04, 2020 |

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?

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...

Ingredient Spotlight: Coconut Oil

By Kari Kenner November 19, 2020 |

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?

By Kari Kenner November 16, 2020 |

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

By Kari Kenner November 16, 2020 |

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...