Summer doesn’t officially start until June 20, 2020, but we have had plenty of 80 degree+ days in the city to validate that summer is here! With hot summer weather comes sunscreen- lots and lots of sunscreen if you’re a parent. We’ve been spending more time on our back deck, in Cape Cod at the pool, and riding scooters through our neighborhood. The comment I always get is – we’re just heading out for a minute, so I don’t need sunscreen. Well, I hate to say it, but you actually DO! Sunscreen should be applied to the face even for short walks outside or car rides! I am by no means a professional when it comes to sunscreen, but thanks to Beautycounter I have been given tons of information about which sunscreens to wear, what ingredients to avoid in sunscreen, and what UVA, UVB, and SPF mean! I am also SO ashamed to admit, but I was addicted to tanning beds and had an unlimited monthly membership in college (insert hand on face emoji haha). I think it goes without saying, tanning beds are extremely harmful to your health and should be avoided completely!
Answering some top questions below and sharing my review on each of the Countersun products!
Why is it important to wear sunscreen?
Everyone should be wearing sunscreen daily, but why is the question! I did a little bit of digging and found out exactly why – the main reason is because the sun is harmful and causes skin cancer and pre-mature aging.
An estimated 90% of the signs of aging are causes by the sun! And did you know that more people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year than all other cancers combined?
https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-facts/
1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70.
More than 2 people die of skin cancer in the U.S. every hour.
Having 5 or more sunburns doubles your risk for melanoma.
When detected early, the 5-year survival rate for melanoma is 99 percent.
https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-facts/
What is the difference between chemical sunscreens and mineral sunscreens?
Chemical sunscreens are technically sun filters – they absorb the sun’s UV energy. They contain oxybenzone which is a horomone disruptor linked to infertility and birth defects. After just on day of use, the chemical can enter your bloodstream. Plus, it is harmful to coral reefs and banned in some areas like Key West, FL and Hawaii.
Mineral sunscreens contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide and provide a physical barrier on the surface of the skin to reflect the sun’s rays. They are safe because they are not entering the bloodstream. Beautycounter uses non-nano zinc oxide in it’s Countersun products.
What does UVB, UVA, and SPF mean?
UVB rays are the primary cause of sunburns. They are easier to recognize because we can see and feel the damage as it occurs.
UVA rays penetrate the skin to cause free-radical damage that contributes to premature aging. That expensive skincare regimen could all be for nothing if you aren’t protecting your skin from the sun! The best sun protection for your face is a combination of a hat and sunscreen! UVA rays are equally intense in all seasons and can penetrate clouds and glass.
There is also blue light to worry about! Blue light is high energy wavelengths emitted from the sun and technology, believed to cause skin aging. So now you’re at home more often due to COVID-19. How do you incorporate sunscreen into your routine? Phones, tablets, and computer screens emit HEV or blue light that is also emitted by the sun. I found this great article from TeenVogue about protecting ourself from harmful blue light!
SPF stands for sun protection factor. The number tells you how long the sun’s UVB rays would take to redden your skin if you apply the sunscreen exactly as directed compared with the amount of time without sunscreen. So, if you use an SPF 30 product properly, it would take you 30 times longer to burn than if you used no sunscreen.
Why do Beautycounter sunscreens only go up to a 30 SPF?
SPF 15 = blocks 93% of UVB rays
SPF 30 = blocks 97% of UVB rays
SPF 50 = blocks 98% of UVB rays
As you can see the difference between SPF 30 and SPF 50 is only 1%. No sunscreen blocks ALL UVB rays. Once you start going over SPF 50, the percentages only raise by fractions. The most important thing about sunscreen is not the SPF level, but how frequently you apply it. Be sure to also apply liberally to get the best coverage.
Beautycounter’s Countersun Products
Countersun was launched in 2017 after years of trial and error and reformulation. All of the products are free of oxybenzone and octinoxate which contribute to the collapse of coral reefs. The line is Leaping Bunny Certified and completely recyclable too! It’s been so amazing to see the amount of press it has received from Business Insider, Allure, InStyle, and many more!
Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30
The traditional, yet not so traditional, lotion version. It’s my personal favorite for every day wear. It doesn’t leave any white, chalky residue and is very lightweight. It’s formulated with California poppy in addition to the non-nano zinc oxide. I have been using this one on Everly since she was six months old and love how it rubs in. It comes in two sizes – 6.7 ounce and 3.4 ounce (perfect for traveling). It’s waterproof for up to 80 minutes and I always recommend re-applying every two hours. It has a very subtle scent too so it’s perfect for sensitive skin.
Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 30
The same sunscreen, but in a stick form. The convenience of the stick is my favorite for small humans and my face! I keep this in the pouch of my purse and stroller for easy on-the-go application. It also rubs in completely white which is great! Like the others, this one is water-resistant for 80 minutes. I love the stick and always tend to grab it first!
Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Mist SPF 30
Beautycounter’s mineral sunscreen mist is almost too good to be true. It’s an air powered spray that sprays white for easy application. It rubs in perfect without an oil residue. I noticed that it’s a bit harder to wash off, but I think that’s a small complaint in comparison to the benefits. This one isn’t my personal favorite, but I’ve talked with tons of moms that prefer it for their older kids (age 5+). It comes in two sizes – the small one is perfect for vacations!
Countersun Tinted Mineral Suncreen Mist
Have you ever used the Sally Hansen airbrush spray? It’s basically a photoshop for your legs and blurs imperfections, scars and tans the skin. This sunscreen spray is a GREAT replacement. It’s SPF 30 and comes in two shades – light/medium and medium/deep. I spray on my legs away from clothing, rub in really well and let dry fully for a flawless look. It offers the same level of sun protection but with a tint. DISCLAIMER: you have to let it dry! It’s essentially makeup and it will come off!
Countersun Daily Sheer Defense for Face
Beautycounter has been without a “face sunscreen” forever! It was one of the most popular questions I’d get and I’m so thankful it launched this month. It’s an SPF 25 and layers perfectly under makeup. This lightweight moisturizer provides protection from UVA, UVB, and HEV blue light rays while leaving no chalky white cast. Antioxidants help protect skin from pollution, while chicory root extract supports skin’s moisture barrier to lock in hydration. This has been something that I’m adding to my daily routine and loving! No breakouts of irrational from it either!
Have you used any Beautycounter sunscreens before? Let me know what you think in the comments!
xo,
Jacci
