One thing we love to do in Ireland is talk about the weather, especially when we get some proper sunshine. Seeing the bright blue skies and soaking up some much needed vitamin D is a great mood booster for anyone, however, it is also important to stay safe in the sun.
Sun protection is not only very important to reduce your risk of skin cancers but it also reduces ageing caused by the sun, such as wrinkles and age spots.
Here at Faerly we have several options that can help you soak up those rays while protecting your skin.
How do Mineral Sunscreens Work?
Mineral sunscreens work to protect your skin from the sun by physically blocking and reflecting UV light. This is different to chemical sunscreens which absorb UV light.
With mineral sunscreens, harmful rays of sun are reflected by clear zinc oxide, an approved UV filter that’s 70-80% less visible on your skin.
Suitable for Sensitive Skin
Mineral products are less likely to irritate sensitive skin due to them containing more natural ingredients than your standard chemical sunscreen. If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to sun protection before, it is definitely worth trying a mineral option.
Harmless to Marine Life
Mineral sun creams are safe for marine life. Many commercial sunscreens contain oxybenzone and octinoxate, two chemicals which make them really harmful to marine life.
However, with mineral sun protection you don’t need to worry about these as the sun protection comes from the non-nano Zinc Oxide. Non Nano means the particles are larger than 100nm and so won't penetrate your skin. As well as being the safest option for human health, it has also been shown to be the safest option for marine life and coral reefs, since Zinc Oxide in its Non-Nano form has been shown not to harm marine wildlife.
This means that if you dip into the lake or ocean while wearing your sunscreen, it is safe for all the creatures you will find in the water. You can enjoy your time in the water even more, knowing that you are not polluting the area with any chemicals that can be dangerous to marine life around you.
Multiple benefits from Amazinc Sun Protection
Amazinc’s sun protection range includes mineral sunscreens which are suitable for vegans. They offer UVA / UBV High protection with safe, natural UV filters. With zinc oxide which provides protection against photoaging, they also have anti-inflammatory properties and promote skin healing.
Hydrating almond, jojoba and olive oils keep your skin hydrated. Olive squalene and almond wax help to nourish and soften skin, while restoring its natural protective film.
The range includes sunscreen, body butter and tanning oil with SPF and an after sun spray.
Amazinc Sunscreens are available in SPF 50+ and SPF 30+ and include a slight tint which makes it virtually invisible once applied to your skin.
- Vegan friendly
- Sustainably & ethically sourced
- Harmless to marine life
- High protection, 50+ or 30+ options
- Safe UV filters
- Waterproof
- Suitable for children
- Easy to apply
- Non Nano & Uncoated
Ingredients: Almond Oil, Jojoba Oil, Olive Oil, Olive Squalene, Mineral Shield LIGHT (Zinc oxide – NON NANO, Magnesium oxide), Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil, Hydrogenated Almond Oil, Rosmarinus Officialis Leaf Oil, TocopherolAlmond Oil, Jojoba Oil, Olive Oil, Olive Squalene, Mineral Shield LIGHT (Zinc oxide – NON NANO, Magnesium oxide), Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil, Hydrogenated Almond Oil, Rosmarinus Officialis Leaf Oil, Tocopherol
Sol De Ibiza Natural Mineral Sunscreen
Another zinc-based sunscreen is Sol De Ibiza Sunscreen, which comes in an aluminium tin or stick format. They are an all-natural formulation, using Non-Nano Zinc Oxide as a filter, offering safe protection for all the family. They are easy to apply, suitable for face and body, transparent and contain certified natural, organic ingredients, including Aloe Vera from Ibiza.
Easy to Use & Water Resistant
With Sol De Ibiza sunscreen, simply warm the product for a few seconds in the palm of your hand before using, then rub it in and it is immediately effective. It is water resistant and re-application is only needed after 40 minutes of swimming or sweating activities. It is perfect for outdoor activities, both on land or in water.
Beneficial Ingredients
Sweet almond oil will nourish and hydrate your skin, while Aloe vera is a natural moisturiser. Sunflower seed oil is both antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, while coconut oil and calendula are also anti-inflammatory and soothing on skin. Lecithin helps skin hydration and elasticity.
- Plastic free packaging
- Water resistant
- Fragrance free
- Organic ingredients
- Vegan friendly & cruelty free
- Suitable for children
- Suitable for face & body, including sensitive skin
Ingredients: Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Zinc oxide, Silica, Euphorbia cerifera cera, Cocos nucifera oil (*), Prunus amygdalus dulcis oil, Cetyl alcohol, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Tocopheryl acetate, Calendula officinalis flower extract (*), Helianthus annuus seed oil (*), Aloe barbadensis leaf juice (*), Lecithin, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl palmitate, Oryzanol, Citric acid. (*) Ingredients come from organic farming
Raspberry Butter Sun Cream SPF15
The Amazinc Raspberry Butter Sun Cream contains vegetable oils, shea butter and oatmeal which offer hydrating and regenerating care for your skin, while also protecting from the sunshine with an SPF 15+.
The oats have an antibacterial and antioxidant effect, to moisturise the skin and minimise redness and other symptoms of sensitive skin.
- Medium protection with SPF 15+
- Sustainably & ethically sourced
- Natural ingredients
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- Vegan friendly & cruelty free
- Packed in a 100% recyclable aluminium tin
Ingredients: Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Avena Sativa Kernel (Oat) Flour, Avena Sativa Kernel (Oat) Oil, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed (Tamanu) Oil, Rubus Idaeus Seed (Raspberry) Oil, Scelerocarya Birrea Seed (Marula) Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed (Jojoba) Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Almond) Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Flower (Rosemary) Oil, Jasminum Officinale Oil
FAQs
Are mineral sun blocks suitable for all age groups?
Yes, the Amazinc and Sol De Ibiza Sun Protection ranges contain natural ingredients which make them suitable for the entire family, including little ones.
Where should I apply sunscreen?
Apply sunscreen to any areas of the skin that are exposed to the sun.
What does SPF mean?
SPF means Sun Protection Factor. This number tells you how long it would take the sun’s UV rays to burn your skin in comparison to if you weren’t wearing any sunscreen. E.g. if you use sun protection with an SPF 50+, it would take the sun 50 times as long to damage your skin compared to if you had no sunscreen on.
How do I know what level of SPF is right for me?
If you are not going to be outside in the sunshine for a large portion of the day, but only for short intervals, then a SPF 15+ could be sufficient. If you spend a lot of time outside when the sun is shining then a sunblock with SPF 30+ or higher would be recommended. You should wear SPF every day, even on cloudy days as UV rays can still penetrate clouds.
How often do I need to reapply sunscreen?
The time you need to reapply your chosen sun block varies depending on your SPF and the activities you are doing in the sunshine but a good rule of thumb is to reapply every 2 hours.
Caring for skin after sun exposure
The best protection for your skin is to avoid sun exposure completely. Sunscreen is the best defence but even the best of us sometimes don’t put on as much as we should, don’t apply it as often as we should, or just miss a spot. If that happens to you it is important to know how to care for skin that has been affected by too much sun exposure.
Aftersun Sun Spray
Amazinc also offers a Splash After Sun Spray which works a treat after a day in the sun. The refreshing spray can immediately soothe skin and offer quick relief after exposure to the sun. Panthenol and Vitamin E work well to quickly regenerate damaged skin. This spray is also made from natural ingredients which are harmless to marine life.
- Natural ingredients
- Plastic free
- Packaged in recyclable aluminium bottle
- Sustainably & ethically sourced
Ingredients: NATISOL, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Almond) Oil, Aqua, Citric Acid, Panthenol, Sodium Benzonate, Avena Sativa Kernel (Oat) Oil, Vitamin E, Silica (Colloidal), Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Flower (Rosemary) Oil, Jasminum Officinale Oil
Natural Products to Soothe Skin after Sun
There are many home remedies that can also help, should you find yourself in a spot of bother after too much sun. When treating skin after sun exposure look out for products that contain naturally soothing ingredients like lavender and aloe.
Yoghurt - Cold, fat free, natural yoghurt contains healthy enzymes and probiotics which can be great to treat sunburn. Simply apply to the affected area, leave for approximately 15 minutes before washing it off with lukewarm water.
Aloe - Aloe is naturally soothing and has anti-inflammatory properties which can calm burns. Aloe contains glycoproteins that promote fast healing while reducing pain. To treat a sunburn, spread a layer of pure gel extracted from the inside of an aloe vera leaf over any burned skin. You can grow your own aloe vera plants at home, or buy aloe vera in gel form and keep it refrigerated to make it extra cool and relieving for sun damaged skin. Bodhi Blends Aloe-lotion can help soothe and hydrate sunburned skin, with calming aloe blended with nourishing shea butter.
Lavender - Lavender is a natural pain reliever which can help soothe mild sunburns. Add around 3-4 drops of Lavender and (optional) 2 drops of Roman Chamomile Oil essential oil to around 10ml of a carrier oil like Sweet Almond Oil or Jojoba Oil and apply to the affected area. We particularly like jojoba for its lightweight feel and anti-inflammatory properties, and because it has no scent of its own, the lavender shines right through. Another soothing option is to mix the lavender essential oil in similar proportions with aloe gel or juice.
For severely damaged or burned skin always seek medical advice.
Fun in the sun!
We are always hopeful that soon we will get some lovely, hot, sunny weather to enjoy. Once we stay safe with sun protection products we can enjoy it even more, knowing we aren’t getting any negative effects from enjoying those rays! See our range of sun care products.