Chemical Absorption:
Many commercial sunscreens contain chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate, which can be absorbed into the skin and disrupt hormone balance.

Skin Irritation:
Some ingredients in commercial sunscreens, such as artificial fragrances and preservatives, can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions.

Environmental Impact:
Chemical sunscreen ingredients have been found to harm marine life, especially coral reefs, when washed off into the ocean.

Gentle on Skin:
Natural sunscreens often contain ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which provide broad-spectrum protection without causing irritation.

Environmentally Friendly:
Plant-based sun care products use biodegradable ingredients that are safer for marine ecosystems.

Nutrient-Rich:
Many natural sunscreens contain botanical extracts like aloe vera, green tea, and coconut oil, which nourish and moisturize the skin.

SPF measures the level of protection a sunscreen provides against UVB rays, which are responsible for causing sunburn.

The SPF number tells you how much longer you can stay in the sun without burning compared to if you were not wearing any sunscreen. For example, if you burn after 10 minutes of sun exposure without protection, an SPF 30 sunscreen would allow you to stay in the sun for 300 minutes (30 times longer) before burning, assuming the sunscreen is applied correctly and in adequate amounts.

UVA rays, or Ultraviolet A rays, are a type of radiation from the sun that penetrate deeper into the skin compared to UVB rays. Here’s what they do to the skin:

Aging:
UVA rays are primarily responsible for skin aging, causing damage that leads to wrinkles, leatheriness, and other signs of sun-related aging (sometimes called "photoaging").

Deep Skin Penetration:
Unlike UVB rays, which primarily affect the skin's surface, UVA rays penetrate deeper into the underlying structures of the skin, damaging the collagen and elastin fibers that give skin its elasticity.

Tanning:
UVA rays stimulate the skin cells called melanocytes to produce melanin, the brown pigment that causes tanning. While tanning is often thought of as a sign of good health, it is actually a sign of skin damage.

Increased Risk of Skin Cancers:
Chronic UVA exposure has been associated with a higher risk of certain types of skin cancers, including melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer.

Photodermatitis:
UVA rays can also trigger certain types of skin reactions, such as photodermatitis, which is a chemical reaction in the skin that can lead to rash and other skin irritations.

Because of their ability to penetrate deep into the skin and contribute to both immediate and long-term skin damage, protection against UVA rays is crucial in sun care products.

UVB rays, or Ultraviolet B rays, are a type of solar radiation with a specific wavelength that affects the skin in several distinct ways. Here's what UVB rays do to the skin:

Sunburn:
UVB rays are primarily responsible for causing sunburn. The rays damage the outer layers of the skin, leading to redness, pain, and swelling.

Skin Damage:
Frequent exposure to UVB rays can lead to various forms of skin damage besides sunburn, including changes in skin texture, such as thickening or thinning.

Vitamin D Synthesis:
UVB rays play a crucial role in the body's natural production of Vitamin D. When UVB rays hit the skin, they convert cholesterol in the skin into Vitamin D, which is vital for bone health and immune function.

Increased Risk of Skin Cancers:
UVB rays contribute significantly to the development of skin cancers, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. The DNA damage they cause can lead to mutations that accumulate over time.

Skin Aging:
Although UVA rays are more commonly associated with aging, UVB rays can also contribute to photoaging through damage to the skin's cellular DNA and structure.

Because of their potent effect on the skin, including the risk of sunburn and skin cancer, sunscreens are designed to specifically block UVB rays, often denoted by the SPF (Sun Protection Factor) rating which measures the fraction of UVB rays that can penetrate the skin.