You don’t need to be a dermatologist to know that protecting your skin from the sun is one of the best things we can do to prevent premature ageing and many forms of skin cancer. But before you go slathering sunscreen all over yourself and your loved ones, remember that your skin is the largest organ of your body. It protects us, but also absorbs what we put on it…and not all sunscreens are created equal.

We are proud to have created a world first in our sunscreen – BioGro's NATRUE certification means that 100% of Earth’s Kitchen sunscreen ingredients are certified natural and full of potent healing and protecting ingredients found in nature. So you can feel confident that our protection is far more than skin deep.

What’s the difference between natural and chemical sunscreen?

There are two forms of sunscreen available out there:

1. Chemical sunscreen – the type most readily available, works by being absorbed by our skin and in turn, it absorbs and breaks down the UV rays that hit our skin.
   
   
2. Mineral aka. natural sunscreen – is made of naturally occurring ingredients like zinc and titanium dioxides, blitzed into tiny particles, which sit on top of the skin and act like a shield, deflecting damage instead.

The ingredients in chemical sunscreens can cause sensitivity for some skins, but more alarmingly, its active ingredients such as oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate can be absorbed by the body and can be found in places sunscreen chemicals have no business being. In particular, oxybenzone is a known hormone disruptor and kills our coral reefs.

Mineral sunscreens are proven to be less likely to cause skin sensitivity or be absorbed into the body where they can do damage.

Are all mineral sunscreens good for you?

Not all natural sunscreens are created equally. While the active ingredients might still be zinc or titanium dioxide, it always pays to read the label and check that they aren’t mixed with other chemical nasties such as petrochemicals, sodium lauryl sulphates (SLS) or genetically modified ingredients. Your skin is your largest organ and what you put on it can be absorbed into the body. Just as you watch what you eat, it’s important to think about what goes into your body via your skin.

How often should I apply sunscreen?

Natural or mineral sunscreens are effective from the moment they’re applied to the skin, unlike chemical sunscreens, which require at least 20 minutes to become effective. This doesn’t mean you should set and forget though. We recommend reapplying our sunscreen every 2 hours during sun exposure and immediately after swimming, sweating excessively or rubbing against surfaces that may disrupt your sunscreen barrier (like wiping yourself with a towel). As always, try to minimise extended sun exposure, especially between 10am and 2pm, when the sun is at its strongest.

Can I wear moisturising lotion under my sunscreen?

You won't need to with EK sunscreen sit is a hydrating and luxurious skin food in and of it's own

But otherwise, Yes, just make sure it’s fully absorbed before applying sunscreen otherwise it may dilute the effectiveness of your sun protection.

Can I wear make up over sunscreen?

Yes, you can. Earth’s Kitchen sunscreen is Natrue certified natural and contains no pore clogging ingredients like mineral oil, making it a great base for make up. Just be sure to remember to reapply sunscreen during extended periods of sun exposure.