Beauty line
Therapy lineNatural sun protection - SPF filters in oils
Is there a healthy tan? In our opinion, yes. If you take care of proper protection from the sun's rays, your skin will reward you with a beautiful appearance, while at the same time maintaining its youthfulness for a long time. Of course, cosmetics with SPF filters are a must. But did you know that you can also protect yourself from harmful UV rays in a natural way? Discover the protective power of unrefined vegetable oils.
Why do we need sun protection?
Scientists have long established that spending time in the sun is harmful to our skin. Exposure to UV radiation, especially UVB and UVA, which reach the deep layers of the skin, can cause sunburn and skin damage. This results in so-called photoaging, and in the long term can cause changes in the form of cancer.
But the sun is essential for our lives, thanks to it the body produces vitamin D and the brain produces endorphins. The sun is warmth, pleasure and energy – so we want to use it and enjoy its beneficial effects.
That is why – fortunately – there are products that protect the skin from excessive exposure to UVA and UVB radiation. These are SPF (Sun Protection Factor) filters.
What is SPF protection?
SPF is a factor indicating how long we can stay in the sun before we get a sunburn. For example, if your skin can safely be exposed to solar radiation for 20 minutes without any protection, the filter level indicates how many times longer you can do this after using the product. For example, SPF 15 - fifteen times longer, SPF 30 - 30 times longer, etc. However, this does not mean that the filters block all the rays. Using them simply allows us to enjoy sunbathing for longer without the risk of getting a sunburn.
Remember – UVB radiation is responsible for the risk of sunburn, and UVA – for damage to the deep layers of the skin, so pay attention to whether the preparation you use protects against both.
What types of SPF sunscreens are there?
In cosmetics providing sun protection you will find two most popular types of filters. This chemical filters and mineral filters.
Chemical filters (also called organic) act as a radiation absorber – they absorb rays and convert them into heat that is safe for the body.
Mineral filters (sometimes also called physical filters) work like a mirror: they reflect radiation from the skin.
SPF protection - chemical filters
The most popular chemical filters include the following compounds:
- oxybenzone,
- avobenzone,
- octisalate,
- octocrylene,
- homosalians
- octinooctane
Many people have doubts about the use of chemical filters – whether they are completely safe for the body.
Research by American scientists, published in the Journal of The American Medical Association (JAMA) in January 2020[1] confirmed that some common chemical filters (avobenzone, oxybenzone, octocrylene) are absorbed into the bloodstream at levels higher than 0.5 nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml).
SPF protection – mineral filters
If you do not approve of chemicals in cosmetics - you can choose mineral filters. The group of mineral (or physical) filters includes two compounds: titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. These are inorganic chemical compounds recognized by world organizations, e.g. the American FDA, as GRASE, i.e. completely safe and effective in sun protection.[2]
Mineral filters generally do not cause allergic reactions, which is why they are often chosen by people with sensitive skin. The only downside to using them is the white film that forms on the body after application.
SPF protection - natural filters
More and more people are looking for natural support in caring for a young and healthy skin. This also applies to sun protection. A good choice will be preparations that contain a combination of SPF filters enriched with oilswhich have natural properties photoprotective.
They contain not only SPF protection, but also NKKT, antioxidants that enhance the photoprotective effect, preventing skin damage and accelerating regeneration.
The leading natural oils that demonstrate such protective effects include: raspberry seed oil and carrot seed oil.
Oils - natural sunscreens
Raspberry seed oil
Do you like raspberries? The best are of course those picked straight from the bush, smelling of summer, ripe and melting in your mouth. Raspberries have one small defect – seeds, which unfortunately “like” to hide in the spaces between your teeth. But it is these particles that hide priceless wealth.
Raspberry seed oil has the ability to absorb UV rays, working similarly to mineral filters.
In 2000, American researcher David Oomah and colleagues published their article "Characterization of Raspberry Seed Oil" (Rubus ideas L.), which showed the protective properties of this oil at the SPF level of 28-50. [3]
What ingredients and properties of raspberry seed oil have researchers identified in the context of UV protection?
- Omega-3 and Omega-6 acids – responsible for, among others, the production of collagen
- alpha and gamma tocopherols – vitamin E
- phospholipids – are an important building block of cell membranes
- high absorption of UVB and UVC radiation
- high unsaponifiable fraction (i.e. active ingredients do not dissolve in water)
Green coffee bean oil
It is also classified as a natural oil that has the ability to absorb UVB radiation.[4].It is a strong antioxidant, thanks to the high concentration of vitamin E and phytosterols and tocopherols - similar to raspberry seed oil. It prevents photoaging of the skin, and also has properties that soothe redness after sunburn.
Sweet almond kernel oil
It has protective properties at the SPF 5 level, so we are talking about low protection here.[5]. But its real wealth is its regenerating and softening action, thanks to ingredients such as:
- oleic acid
- linoleic acid
- palmitic acid
- stearic acid
- vitamins (A, B1, B2, B6, D and E)
Carrot seed oil
This is another natural oil, considered a natural substance with photoprotective properties.
What is the rationale behind this?
- High concentration of vitamin A
- carotenoids – accelerating skin regeneration
However, the sun protection properties of this oil have not been proven in studies. It is only recommended as a supplement to protect against sunburn due to its strong antioxidant and regenerative properties.
Other natural oils with SPF filters
There are many vegetable oils that have been shown to have a proven – albeit small – ability to absorb UVA and UVB radiation. The parameters here usually range from 1 to 8 SPF, so we are talking about low protection.
Oils that have protective properties (in in vitro studies)[6])
this:
- olive oil – approx. SPF 8
- coconut oil – approx. SPF 8
- hemp oil – approx. SPF 6
- basil leaf oil – approx. SPF 7
- lavender oil – approx. SPF 6
Summary
Proper protection of the skin against UV radiation is achieved by carefully selected cosmetics with mineral filters, supplemented with natural oils that enhance photoepilation and ensure regeneration and proper hydration of the epidermis to enjoy the tan for as long as possible.
For perfect care and protection of your skin against the negative effects of excessive exposure to the sun, we recommend our hemp cosmetics with a high content of CBD full spectrum and natural oils. They have strong regenerating and skin elasticizing properties. And in combination with selected oils obtained from plant seeds and seeds, they guarantee a moisturized, smooth and radiant body throughout the summer.
Try the power of natural oils
If you are looking for a cosmetic that combines photoprotective effects, a wealth of nutrients and 100% natural composition – we present to you Her Highness Body Oil, a universal body oil with full spectrum CBD oil and valuable plant oils that take comprehensive care of the skin and, thanks to natural filters and ingredients, prevent photoaging.
In Body Oil you will find a high content of full spectrum CBD oil, green coffee bean oil, which is credited with UVB radiation absorption properties; super moisturizing and softening sweet almond kernel oil, which soothes sun irritations and golden mica, which will wonderfully illuminate and give a golden shade to your holiday tan.
Body Oil also contains plant extracts that enhance the beneficial and caring effects of the cosmetic.
In our offer you will find three versions of this versatile body care cosmetic. Version Herbs you can give it to your man – the relaxing scent of pine oil will certainly appeal to him. He can also use it for a relaxing massage after a workout at the gym or a morning jog.
The perfect version for you will be Flowers with the scents of bergamot and ylan-ylang with a high concentration of full spectrum CBD, sweet almond oil and hemp seed oil, which is a natural sunscreen.
Do you already know which sun protection cosmetic to choose?
[1] https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2759002
[2] https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-advances-new-proposed-regulation-make-sure-sunscreens-are-safe-and-effective
[3] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0308814699002605
[4] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26971541/
