This year, we’ve fielded lots of questions about the new UVA formulation and the fact that the SPF rating reduced from SPF 30 to SPF 20 as a result of the regulation. Our customers know that Lavera sunscreens were all natural, non-toxic and chemical free, but many were concerned if SPF 20 was enough to protect them from the sun. “I need a higher SPF product!” was the common request.

All the educational material available tell us the following:

• SPF 20 protects against 95% of all UVB rays, where as SPF 30 protects against 97% - only 2% more.
  


• The EU rules require UVA protection to be 1/3 of the SPF rating – so the SPF 20 provides SPF 6.7 against UVA


• Most chemical sunscreens provide little to no protection against UVA


• UVB rays are responsible for sunburn. UVA rays penetrate to the deeper layers of skin, and is a major factor in premature aging and skin cancer.


• Zinc Oxide (used in the Lavera UVA sunscreens) provides the best mineral based protection against UVA

Our sunscreen—put to the test

But really, we wanted to see this in action so we conducted a test! We contacted an avid surfer here in Washington and had him try his regular sunscreen (SPF 50 or higher) against the Lavera Sunscreen Lotion SPF 20.

We knew that surfing was tough on sunscreens — was it tough enough to hold up to the seas, sweat and chafing of Pacific Northwest Surfing. Would our sunscreen not rub off, leaving skin exposed, from contact with wetsuits, boards and waves? Would it be a fair comparison to put SPF 20 up against SPF 50 — that’s 2.5 TIMES MORE SPF!!!

We eagerly awaited the results from the weekend. Monday we received the email and the pics – read for yourself!

“I spend my weekends in the outdoors. I surf at least once a week, and spend the rest of the weekend mountain biking, camping and hiking. Being from the Pacific NW (translation, pale white skin) I have to be extremely careful about sunburns on the odd day the sun comes out to play. Though I do wear a wetsuit for protection from the frigid water, my neck and face are exposed to bright sun which is intensified by reflections from the water.

Over the years it has really bothered me that I need to use chemical sunscreens. I long ago disposed of most chemical based products in my life for more organic / natural alternatives, but have stayed with chemical sunscreens as a necessary evil—because, lets face it, sunburns are very painful and dangerous, but still regularly get burned even with high performace (high SPF) commercial sunscreens.

A friend suggested I try out Lavera's Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 20 UVA OOB. I was hesitant at first—typically I go out surfing with nothing less than SPF 50, but my concerns were tempered by the realization European sunscreen ratings are quantified differently than by US standards of a bigger number is better.

My test day was a brilliantly sunny, cloudless, 85 degree Saturday. I went out for four hours, between 2PM and 6PM and came back with no burns—a better performance than my typical Banana Boat Sports Performance SPF 50 or my Coppertone Ultra Guard SPF 70. Though a little harder to rub in, the Lavera Sunscreen stays on in the water, providing a more effective, long-lasting and waterproof layer of protection—well suited for catching a few waves.“

—Rich

To read more about the subject of SPF and UVA vs UVB protection, read Doesn’t my current sunscreen already protect me from UVA? and Understanding UV Rays.

To learn about the advantages of all natural mineral based sunscreens versus chemical based formulas, read Sunscreen Facts.

Shop Now for Lavera Sunscreens:

Eczema, or dermatitis (skin inflammation), is a non-contagious skin condition that affects many adults and children. The inflammatory skin condition can appear on any part of the body but is typically found on the face, hands, legs, and in skin folds. Eczema usually presents itself as dry, red patches of skin that can also be itchy or painful. Left untreated this persistent condition can worsen over time leading to cracked or blistered skin.

Eczema is usually brought on by exposure to certain irritants; dry air, chemical ingredients, heat, stress, food allergy, or infection. Other than the change of season, getting to the root of a skin irritation or allergy can be difficult. If you have highly sensitive or allergic skin it is best to avoid chemical skincare and household cleansers, and products that are heavily scented.

Taking a close look at your diet can be very beneficial in discovering the underlying cause of eczema. Have you experienced dairy or wheat intolerance earlier in life, even as a child? Some become sensitive to nuts, or maybe it is the vast array of processed foods lining our grocery shelves. Keep a journal and record when your condition seems to be at its worst. This may seem like finding a needle in a haystack at first, but can help you to locate the culprit and avoid it in the future.

When we think eczema, we think skin, and rightly so as this is where it appears. But don’t overlook hair care as eczema triggers. Chemical ingredients in shampoos, conditioners and styling products can exacerbate the problem.

Most over-the-counter and doctor prescribed eczema medications contain petrochemicals which congest the skin and can actually trigger flare-ups. These creams and ointments may seem to help at first, but eczema will almost certainly return after a few days use.

When treating allergic skin it is important to use very mild and moisturizing skincare products. Lavera’s esthetician has designed a Daily Essentials Kit for Eczema & Dermatitis containing products from our Neutral line. Lavera Neutral products are fragrance-free and created especially for those with highly reactive skin.

Daily Essentials Kit for Eczema & Dermatitis

• Neutral Cleansing Gel – Use morning and night before applying moisturizer. Be sure to use warm water when cleansing, as hot water can aggravate skin.
• Neutral Face Fluid – Apply to clean skin morning and night. Rich essential fatty acids are very beneficial in healing eczema, calming the skin and improving elasticity.
• Neutral Face Cream – Apply to dry or irritated areas to soothe and control eczema. May also be used on dry areas on the body.

Following these tips and using the Daily Essentials Kit for Eczema & Dermatitis will produce smooth, hydrated, and healthy skin.

The meat and dairy sections of your local supermarket are not the only places GMO ingredients show up. Beauty products often contain plant or animal ingredients with GMO derivatives.

Genetically modified organisms are plants and animals that have had specific changes introduced into their DNA through genetic engineering techniques. These modifications serve to yield higher crops or growth, or to insert a certain trait, like natural pesticide.

Still, the future results of manipulating nature are yet to be seen. Eating GMO foods have been known to disrupt the healthy bacteria in our intestines. These tiny bacteria are part of our immune system and help to protect us from disease. Even after we digest the contaminated food our bodies continue to produce pesticides from the altered food. The antibiotics in GM foods have the potential to build resistance to bacteria and could be responsible for the onset of superbugs.

While the verdict on the health and environmental risks from GMO crops is still out, avoiding GMO foods seems like a move in the right direction. Cosmetics products made with ingredients from GM crops are also good to steer clear of, but this is easier said than done.

Organic crops in the US are consistently testing positive for GMO cross-contamination. Cross-pollination from neighboring farms, GMO seed mixed in with organic seed, and misrepresentation of GMO products for organic to warrant higher prices are all to blame for the problem of cross-contamination. The most common GMO-grown crops are: Soybeans, Corn, Cotton, Hawaiian Papaya, Tomatoes, Potatoes, Rapeseed (Canola), Sugar cane, Sugar beet, Sweet corn, Rice.

Currently in Europe the only GMO crop grown is maize, approved in 1998 to be used as feed for livestock. No new GM crops have been approved for cultivation in Europe since then. Europe is not united on GMO acceptance, with several countries (France, Austria, Poland, Hungary, and Greece) banning the practice.

There is currently no law set in the US to test for GMO in organic crops and end products. The USDA has taken a position of non-accountability where GMO contamination is concerned, yet they certify organic cosmetics with the Certified Organic seal.

Because of cross-contamination of corn crops, Lavera chooses to use talc rather than cornstarch. Pure talc is a safe, naturally-occurring, nontoxic mineral that causes no skin reactions or irritations. Low-grade talc used in some cosmetics products came to light as an ingredient of concern due to asbestos contamination. All talc used in Lavera products are pharmaceutical grade, considered the purest form of talc, and asbestos free.

In accordance to BDIH certification requirements, all of our products are GMO free—such as our best selling cosmetics, facial skin care, hair care, sun screens and self-tanners.

Argan oil is deemed by many a super-ingredient when it comes to skin care. This is due to its anti-aging and restorative benefits which come from high levels of antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and vitamin E.

Argan kernel oil (Argania spinosa) comes from the nuts of the argan tree, which grows only in southwestern Morocco. Women there have been using the oil for its healing and age-defying effects for centuries. But argan is a bigger part of these women’s lives than just a beauty remedy. It is the women of the Berber culture from this region who traditionally, and exclusively, produce the argan oil which is then exported to other countries.

Though the Berbers use argan for far more than skin care (food, charcoal, building material), the oil remains its primary use. Argan oil is very high in Vitamin E, which protects skin from premature aging, and reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, stretch marks, and scarring. The oil also contains phytosterols (naturally-occurring plant alcohols) which brighten and boost radiance in skin.

Argan is a rich and highly emollient oil, but is quickly absorbed by the skin, so leaves behind no residual greasiness. The oil is effective in fighting signs of aging and sun damage, and improving skin’s elasticity. It can also be used to soften cuticles and as a hot oil treatment for hair.

Lavera utilizes the benefits of argan oil in moisturizing products: Body Effect Anti-Cellulite Oil Spray and the Solution Eye Cream. Argan provides supreme hydration and anti-aging properties to these skin care treatments, smoothing and protecting the skin. All argan oil used in Lavera products is certified organic.

Conventional sunscreens were created to do one thing and one thing only, protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Over time, extended use of conventional sunscreens formulated with harsh chemicals may have an entirely different effect not only on your skin but also on natural plant and aquatic life living in our oceans, rivers and lakes. On the contrary, sunscreens formulated with entirely natural, chemical-free substances utilizing mineral-based ingredients are completely safe for the environment as well as gentle on skin.

One particular organism being affected is our coral reefs, which are among the most biologically productive ecosystems in the world. Scientists have reported that chemical-based sunscreens may be accountable for dying coral reefs. It has been reported that four widely used sunscreen ingredients activate viruses that kill the algae that feed off the coral.

The four chemicals in question:

• Oxybenzone Benzophenone-3
• Octinoxate (Octyl methoxycinnamate)
• 4-Methyl-Benzylidencamphor (4-MBC)
• Butylparaben (used to preserve the sunscreen product)

According to the scientists up to 6,000 tons of sunscreen wash off swimmers every year.

Marine Scientists link sunscreen to coral bleaching. Coral is an aquatic, stone-like structure that has cracks and crevices inhabited by colorful symbiotic organisms called zooxanthanellae (an algae). Bleaching, generated by changing ocean temperatures, pollution, and bacterial pathogens, is the process in which hard coral loses its desirable tenants, leaving behind bare, white rock; without the algae, the coral turns white and dies.

To stop the destruction of our precious coral reefs, scientists are recommending that sunscreen users choose a sunscreen with safe-chemical-free ingredients such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide as active ingredients. They also recommend choosing a biodegradable sunscreen that easily breaks down in seawater without causing harm to our ecosystem.

Natural sunscreens made with biodegradable ingredients decompose naturally and easily with time, as opposed to the long-lasting effects of chemical-based sunscreens.

Lavera sunscreens are a smart alternative to standard sunscreens. As Europe’s best-selling green beauty brand, Lavera developed its unparalleled sunscreens according to Europe’s strict regulations and the highest natural standards, bringing U.S. consumers a uniquely safe, effective, and natural sunscreen option.

Lavera’s 100% natural sunscreens are also mineral-based, offering myriad advantages over chemical-based alternatives. Mineral sunscreens build a physical protective layer on the skin’s surface, providing immediate protection against UVA and UVB rays. Synthetic sunscreens, on the other hand, are absorbed into the skin and body and take 20-30 minutes to shield skin—and typically only from UVB rays. Furthermore, the same artificial ingredients that penetrate the skin have been linked to allergic reactions and hormonal imbalances.

Lavera sunscreens are free of harmful synthetics as well as parabens, emulsifiers, petroleum, phthalates, lead, synthetic preservatives and fragrances. Instead, the formulas are blended with biodegradable ingredients for protection that’s gentle on the skin, body, and earth.