The sun is essential for an adequate supply of our body with vitamin D. However, staying in the sun for too long without additional protection can not only cause painful sunburn, it can also damage our skin in the long term. It can lead to premature sagging of the skin, wrinkles, pigment spots or even skin cancer. For outdoor activities, as well as for sunbathing, sensible sun protection is essential.
UV sunscreen filters - chemical versus mineral
Suncreams usually contain either chemical or mineral sunscreen filters. Chemical sunscreen filters penetrate the skin, where they chemically convert UV radiation into heat radiation. They are decomposed in our skin. Most chemical sunscreens in combination with fats and PEG emulsifiers have a high allergenic potential (keyword Mallorca acne, sun allergy). In addition, they can promote skin impurities, act like hormones in the body, damage our DNA and are not biodegradable.
A much better choice are mineral sunscreens: They are photostablewith the reflective particles remaining on the skin and hence cannot sensitize. Usual mineral sunscreen filters are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide (INCI: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide). However, the particles hinder the body's own vitamin D production. Therefore, you should better not apply them permanently in your daily routine. Furthermore mineral sunscreens are less convenient in skin application, leaving an unpleasant whitening effect. Therefore, even in natural cosmetics, increasingly nano-sized particles are used (smaller than 100 nanometers). On the package label they have to be declared as "nano" according to EU Cosmetics Regulation (INCI-list), being considered as problematic.
Why are nanoparticles problematic?
Due to their tiny size, nanoparticles can in principle enter the body through the protective skin barrier, especially in the case of a weakened protective barrier in atopic dermatitis or sunburn. Researchers have observed in animal experiments that nanoparticles in the body promote inflammation and organ damage. In particular, titanium dioxide is considered problematic. A French study from 2017 once again revealed an association between nano-titanium dioxide and severe intestinal inflammation and colon cancer in animal experiments. In France, titanium dioxide (E171) was therefore banned in food in April of this year. There are no studies on the long-term effects of nano-cosmetics in humans. It therefore remains unclear whether nanoparticles can accumulate in human tissue and have a toxic effect there.
Why herbal sunscreen is a good choice?
With our myrto Sunshine Day Oil we offer a purely herbal sun protection without harming side effects. The Sunshine Day Oil is particularly recommended for sensitive and barrier-weakened skin - it goes without fragrances, nanoparticles, problematic UV filters, emulsifiers or palm oil. The oily texture surprisingly leaves no greasy skin feeling, but is quickly and completely absorbed by the skin. The main constituent, the valuable Chillean avellana oil, has a SPF 10, enhanced by highly effective plant antioxidants. They activate the skin's own defense against free radicals, which are responsible for premature wrinkling and sagging of the skin.
For extended sunbathing or outdoor activities in intense sunlight, we recommend the Sunshine Day Oil as a basis in combination with a stronger mineral sunscreen over it, which should contain neither nanoparticles nor titanium dioxide.
If you get sunburned nevertheless, you should support your reddened, irritated skin in its fight against inflammation and provide it with important nutrients. Here, the Protective Moisturizer Fluid intensively moisturizes your skin with Ectoin, Aloe Vera and Hyaluron.
