Finding a SPF without any undesirable ingredients for the skin and planet isn’t easy, but many brands are improving their’s to be both effective and eco-friendly
If there’s one thing you shouldn’t skimp on, it’s sun protection. Before setting off on vacation, it’s essential to purchase several bottles of sunscreen to protect yourself from the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays. In fact, more than 80 per cent of skin cancers are linked to excessive sun exposure, according to the French national public health agency, Santé Publique France, which each year reminds vacationers of the importance of taking the right steps to enjoy the sun safely.
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These include seeking shade, covering up with clothing, sunglasses and a hat, as well as opting for the best possible sun protection according to your skin type and sun exposure conditions. Added to this is consumers’ desire to buy more natural products, or those that are less harmful to their health, and that will not contribute to polluting the sea.
A more natural approach
Many brands have developed new formulas to meet these customer demands, banning controversial ingredients and filters and relying more often than not on mineral sunscreens. These are based on titanium dioxide and zinc oxide reduced to powder form and are considered less harmful to skin.
Such is the case with the French natural sun protection brand SeventyOne Percent, whose bestseller Eco Sun Spray Invisible uses 100 per cent mineral filters to ward off UVA and UVB rays. Suitable for adults and children alike, it is enriched with organic jojoba, sunflower and buriti vegetable oils to provide additional skin benefits. It’s a vegan alternative that’s made in France, and which also strives to respect the oceans.
