Mineral Sunscreen Benefits

Mineral vs Chemical Sunscreens

Sunscreens use either a physical or chemical filter to protect your skin from the sun’s rays. Zinc Oxide (as used by LASPA) and Titanium Dioxide are natural mineral sun blocks that sit on your skin and stop both UVA and UVB rays from penetrating your skin. Chemical sunscreens use synthetic chemicals to reflect the sun’s rays after they have penetrated the skin’s surface.

Using a zinc oxide based natural mineral sunscreen such as LASPA offers the following benefits:

Zinc Oxide provides a broad spectrum protection against both UVA/UVB rays whereas chemical filters don’t necessarily provide this function

Zinc Oxide is effective immediately upon application, whereas chemical filters need approximately 20 minutes to be absorbed

Zinc Oxide reduces or eliminates the risk of allergies or skin irritation that can be caused by the chemicals used in chemical sun filters

Zinc Oxide avoids the risk of health issues that have been documented concerning the cumulative effects of chemical sunscreen ingredients on reproductive health (see below for a further discussion on Sunscreen Ingredients).

BROAD SPECTRUM UVA/UVB PROTECTION

Using a sunscreen that is labeled Broad Spectrum is critical to protecting your skin from BOTH forms of UV light that can harm your skin, and that can lead to skin cancer. An SPF sunscreen that is NOT BROAD SPECTRUM only protects you from UVB rays, and leaves you exposed to the harmful effects of UVA Rays (such as premature aging, wrinkles, and dark spots). A zinc based mineral sunscreen provides Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB protection.

CHEMICAL SUNSCREEN INGREDIENTS OF CONCERN

Consumers should be aware of the dangers of chemical sunscreen ingredients. Common ingredients of concern include Oxybenzone, Homosalate, and Octinoxate. Oxybenzone has been associated with developmental and reproductive toxicity, allergies and immunotoxicity, all of which is of greater concern because it also enhances skin absorption. Homosalate is used as a sunscreen agent to absorb UV light. Research shows that as it absorbs UV rays, homosalate will break down into what the Environmental Working Group refers to as harmful byproducts. Octinoxate is considered by The European Commission on Endocrine Disruption to have hormone-mimicking effects.

Avoid other ingredients with known health risks such as Artificial Fragrances, preservatives such as methylisothiazolinone or hydroxycitronellal. Choose your sunscreen carefully to avoid nasty compounds. Select mineral sunscreens to protect yourself. Read more about the effects chemical sunscreen ingredients can have on your body – explore Skin Deep at www.ewg.org/skindeep.

LASPA sunscreen benefits

Reef Safe Sunscreen

Chemical Sunscreens often contain ingredients that are not only harmful to humans, but not surprisingly to aquatic life and coral reefs. Many countries around the world and some cities have banned sunscreens containing a list of common chemical sun filters in order to prevent further damage to precious reefs and marine life.

LASPA contains only mineral based sunscreen actives, and no toxic ingredients that would be harmful to humans or aquatic life. Protect your environment and yourself with natural mineral based sun care.