Photo credit @PaulaDunlop1 on IG.

When it comes to putting together a total beauty regime, natural products are the way to go. You can purchase products that are not only effective but safe for your skin and the environment too. Instead of throwing caution to the wind and investing in products containing synthetic ingredients, why not opt for a mineral only sunscreen that is naturally derived or investigate certified organic products with a transparent and easy-to-understand ingredient label..

This post will cover tips on how to improve your personal skincare by introducing eco-friendly options including mineral only sunscreens and we will continue to stress the importance of a good mineral-based SPF product in your daily routine (hello LASPA SPF30 Natural Mineral Sunscreen https://www.laspanaturals.com/product/laspa-spf3o-natural-mineral-sunscreen/). We will also present some tips to help you curate an eco-friendly and effective skincare lineup while reducing your environmental footprint in the process. Start with swapping out your old sunscreen containing chemical sun filters, and choosing a healthy skin-loving natural mineral only sunscreen, one of LASPA’s key eco-friendly recommendations.

Mineral Vs. Chemical Sunscreens

When it comes to sunscreen, there are two kinds, mineral and chemical. Have you experienced the mineral sunscreen benefits for yourself? The benefits of mineral only sunscreen far outweigh those of the chemical variety. After all, if you could get the same protection without the risk of chemicals in your bloodstream, why wouldn’t you make that switch?  Chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays, while mineral products act as a shield and reflect harmful rays. And in terms of how long they take to be effective, chemical sunscreen has a waiting period of 30 minutes while mineral is effective upon application.  https://doctor.ndtv.com/skin/skincare-tips-know-the-difference-between-mineral-and-chemical-sunscreen-2387136.

The big downside to a chemical sunscreen is that it sometimes can contain harmful ingredients. One of those being oxybenzone, which is one of the most common active ingredients found in chemical sunscreens.This chemical sun filter in addition to many other common sunscreen chemical actives, are being studied by the FDA https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-advances-new-proposed-regulation-make-sure-sunscreens-are-safe-and-effective to determine if they are safe for use in sunscreens.  In addition, many of these ingredients can be dangerous to aquatic life and environment and destroy coral reefs. Both Oxybenzone and Octinoxate are common chemical filters found in many sunscreens and have been banned from use in Hawaii and other carribean countries https://newsofstjohn.com/usvi-makes-history-with-first-sunscreen-ban-in-the-us/. That is one very important reason why LASPA is committed to producing reef-safe mineral only sunscreens.

LASPA mineral sunscreen formulations are made from 100% naturally sourced and organic ingredients. Our unique SPF blend is formulated with essential oils, plant materials, and zinc oxide to deliver a translucent, non-greasy result. LASPA has also added antioxidants into the mix to aid with inflammation and skin damage. LASPA products are all free of harmful chemicals such as parabens, artificial fragrance or colours, or chemical UVA/UVB filters. Most importantly, our products are reef-safe and housed in recyclable packaging. We want you to make a purchase that you are proud of; that will do your skin good and the earth too.

When your skin is at its most sensitive it’s important to remember that UV lights aren’t only a threat outside but even inside your own home. So slather on that mineral sunscreen, enjoy the mineral sunscreen benefits and don’t look back.

You’ve swapped your chemical sunscreen for a natural mineral only sunscreen option. What’s next? How can you take your daily routine up a notch and make it even more eco-friendly? Keep reading to learn more tips from LASPA.

Seven Tips for a More Eco-Friendly Beauty Regime

So, how can you make more environmentally conscious personal care purchases? Read LASPA’s tips below. Are you doing your part to make intelligent, eco-friendly choices? Let’s find out.

Bye Bye Microbeads

Up first, microbeads. Microbeads are tiny beads made of plastic. They are used for exfoliating purposes in many synthetic skincare scrubs. These tiny beads add up, and have been a known cause of pollution since 2012. Fast-forward to 2015, Barack Obama signs the Microbead-Free Waters Act https://www.onegreenplanet.org/lifestyle/8-simple-swaps-to-make-your-personal-care-eco-friendly/. This act banned all use of microbeads in personal care products in the US. But not all countries have followed suit.

To this day, people still purchase exfoliation products filled with plastic beads without knowing about it. You can still find a wide variety of physical exfoliators on the market that are not made with microplastics. You could also use a scrub made with a natural ingredient like coffee, oatmeal or sugar. These products will give you the same exceptional exfoliating properties but are safer for you and the world around us too. A safe and eco-friendly alternative would be to opt-in for a 100% bio-based pure fermented Glycolic Acid.  LASPA recommends its 100% naturally derived Glycolic Peel Overnight Treatment Kit https://www.laspanaturals.com/product/laspa-intensive-anti-aging-glycolic-peel/ .  It will provide your skin with a gentle exfoliation and hydrating results without any use of mirco-beads.

Are The Products Ethically Sourced?

Natural doesn’t always mean better. That’s a little shocking to hear. While natural products are generally a safer choice for the health and safety of your skin it’s vital to choose ethically sourced products that won’t lead to negative environmental impact.

For example, let’s talk about cocoa butter. This sought-after beauty ingredient is actually linked to severe deforestation. In a 20 year window, 2 to 3 million hectares of forests have been destroyed. So as previously mentioned, natural is favourable, but it’s critical to ensure that the ingredients used were indeed ethically sourced. If not, you’re doing more harm than good. So keep this in mind when shopping.https://www.onegreenplanet.org/lifestyle/8-simple-swaps-to-make-your-personal-care-eco-friendly/

So Long, Silicone

So, what’s the deal with silica? This ingredient is often sourced from the sand and this is contributing to the world’s sand shortage. Silicone is not an essential or must-have ingredient for skin care products in general, so this one is easy to avoid. You won’t be making any real sacrifices when it comes to your skincare routine, but you will be helping out mother earth.

Reef-Friendly Sunscreen

As mentioned above in this LASPA post,  we cannot stress the importance of quality sunscreen in your daily routine. When it comes to SPF, we at LASPA are big champions of the mineral reef-friendly variety https://www.laspanaturals.com/benefits-faq/. Mineral only sunscreens and SPF benefits are worth the jump, not only for the environment but your safety too. Your everyday chemical filter sunscreen options contain nasty chemicals like oxybenzone, octocrylene, and octinoxate. These chemicals are detrimental to the sea and wildlife whereas using a sunscreen containing zinc oxide and low levels of titanium dioxide are safer alternatives for both your skin and the ocean! Are you ready to make the switch to a LASPA mineral only sunscreen? 

Say Goodbye to Antibacterial Soap

According to WHO (World Health Organization), antimicrobial resistance is one of the world’s top ten health threats. If you didn’t already know, antimicrobial resistance is when harmful bacteria in your body become immune to antibiotics. And studies tie the use of antibacterial soaps (active with triclosan) to be one of the main culprits of this. Antibacterial soaps have not been proven to work better either, and here’s the kicker… this active ingredient isn’t proven safe for long-term use by humans.

Believe it or not, the Environmental Protection Agency classifies this ingredient as a pesticide, not something we want to be washing our hands with. It is linked to UV exposure problems and thyroid issues. So what’s your best bet here? Old fashioned soap and water. Stay away from any products labeled “antibacterial” when it comes to your skin.

Natural Fragrances, Not Artificial!

Artificial fragrances can seem nice upon the first scent but come with many downsides. Synthetic fragrances, in general, are not only used to create a perfume but also to mask other ingredients with unwanted odors. The scariest part about seeing “artificial fragrance” or “fragrance” on the back of a product label is that you genuinely have no idea what it’s made of. These artificial fragrances are the products of thousands of ingredients unknown to you and the label you are reading. So it can be uncomfortable exposing your skin to such risk.https://www.greenmatters.com/p/environmental-impect-scented-products-synthetic-fragrance

The addition of artificial fragrances in products can cause contact dermatitis and severe allergic reactions. If you have sensitive skin or eczema, avoid these types of fragrances at all costs. People of all skin types, in general, should opt for products that are naturally scented instead! That way, you can be sure of what you’re putting on your skin and won’t have to worry about playing roulette with your skin’s reactivity.  Back to read the labels!  Allergic reactions can occur with both synthetic and natural ingredients, so know your body and do your research. 

Aside from the damage, these fragrances can cause your skin to react. They are also incredibly harmful to the environment too. Products with artificial fragrances have been listed as a known contributor to aquatic pollution. Many studies have found high levels of these ingredients in marine species and noted many detrimental effects to their overall health. So for the love of the sea and its life, make the right choice and opt for a natural scent. And it’s not even a trade-off. Natural scents can be equally, if not more pleasing. Or go fragrance-free if you have sensitive skin. At LASPA, we offer gentle, fragrance-free products that are safe for use on all skin types.

Part With Plastics

This one is a glaring issue. It’s no secret that plastic pollution is a massive issue in this world. Plastic waste disrupts the world’s natural environments, littering our world’s landscapes and causing harm to wildlife too. Recycling isn’t enough anymore. If you want to be more conscious of your footprint, you need to take it to the next level and be more mindful with your daily purchases. Not just things like straws and water bottles, think about the packaging of the personal care products you are buying. It all adds up, and that plastic is going to end up somewhere. 

At LASPA, one of our core values is protecting the environment through the use of our natural ingredients and recyclable packaging too. Whenever possible, support brands that use recyclable packaging. It’s a small decision that has a significant impact. So do your part for the earth by making more conscious and educated purchasing decisions for a more beautiful future.

To learn how we at LASPA are continuing to do our part to help lower our carbon footprint through initiatives such as small batch production processes, please sign up for our newsletter.  You will also receive special promotional offers as well as our latest blog articles.