Why Zinc is One of the Best Natural Sunscreens

It’s always difficult to find really great sunscreen that isn’t harmful to the planet, won’t slide off your face in tropical heat or sting your eyes and lasts as long as you want to be out in the water.

Some are greasy and some are so thick they clog up your skin and you end up with acne.
The best sunscreen to use is a natural sunscreen, free from chemicals. Natural Zinc oxide cream is ideal.

Zinc has the best UV Absorption profile
-Zinc is a critical mineral nutrient
-Zinc oxide is the only active ingredient the FDA approves for babies
-Zinc oxide holds onto its electrons more tightly.

For more information about the benefits of zinc compared to normal sunscreen, see this article written by Katie Kimball @ Kitchen Stewards

Here’s some natural zinc sunscreens we’ve come across. They stay put when applied, are made from natural ingredients are easy to apply and won’t harm the environment.

Surfmud - A natural handmade zinc based sunscreen developed by surfers for surfers. A couple of mates on the Sunshine Coast developed it after they couldn’t find a product that worked for long enough. They swapped the chemicals found in traditional zinc for natural ingredients, then formulated and tested over and over until they got it right. Contains zinc oxide (non-nano). Zinc oxide blocks both UVA and UVB rays of ultraviolet light. Organic bees wax, mineral oil, natural lanolin, coconut oil, Australia clay and iron oxides.

Surfyogis Surfscreen - Tried and tested in the sunny surf conditions of Indonesia, Hawaii and Australia. Surfyogis surfscreen is waterproof, smells like a delicious desert and lasts all day. Developed by surfers who wanted to create a product that was safe for the ocean yet healthy for the body and the environment. The natural ingredients are: Chocolate, beeswax, zinc oxide and coconut oil. It’s so pure it’s edible, though not recommended. It even comes in a recycled container.

Ocean Inspired Surf Zinc - An organic water resistant sunblock which protects you from harmful ultraviolet rays while you surf. It was created by a surfer girl based in Bali who surf’s everyday in tropical heat. She wanted to create something that was good for the skin, protects against the sun and doesn’t harm the ocean. It’s made with non-nano Zinc Oxide, Coconut oil, Beeswax, Shea butter, Jojoba oil, Wheatgerm oil, Avocado oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Castor Oil, Carrot Seed Oil, Tea Tree Oil and Vitamin E.

For as long as surfers and paddlers continue to use the ocean, lakes, rivers and waterways as their playground, there will be a need for a natural zinc sunscreen to protect our faces in those harsh salty and sunny environments.

Have we missed any?  What would you recommend to our fellow water based community?
 

ASI (Academy of Surfing Instructors), is the worldwide peak body for Instructors and Coaches in the outdoor recreation and sport industry for surfing, stand up paddle and bodyboarding.
www.academyofsurfing.com

We set the standards for education, accreditation, professional development and ongoing support for our members, offering pathways from entry level to elite level. 

International Instructor and Coach Accreditation.  You can travel the world with ASI.
ASI Accredited Schools abide by the high international standards for operations, training and safety.