Everything You Need To Know About SPF and UV Protection In Natural Oils
If you stay up to date on the latest health and wellness trends, then chances are you have come across the claim that natural oils can help protect your skin from sun damage. This has become a particularly popular topic of interest as many people begin to question whether sunscreen is toxic.
While many natural oils do boast some sun-blocking properties, it is essential to understand how well these oils protect you and your skin and how they differ from traditional sunblock or sunscreen. Keep reading to find out everything that you need to know about this topic!
What You Need To Know About SPF
You have likely heard many terms and abbreviations tossed around when discussing how to protect your skin from the sun. However, the meanings of these terms are not always crystal clear, and few people understand how they relate to the health and protection of their skin. Here is what you need to know…
SPF stands for sun protection factor, and this is the measurement used to inform you of the level of protection that your sunscreen provides. It is essential to understand that the SPF of your sunscreen only relates to its protection factor against UVB rays.
What are UVB rays? These are the sun’s rays that cause sunburn and can potentially cause skin cancer. While these rays do not penetrate deep within the skin, they can be some of the most damaging, and overexposure can lead to future health risks.
UVA rays penetrate deep within the skin, past the surface. These rays are the culprits behind fine lines, uneven skin tone, wrinkles, and those unwanted dark spots. While UVA rays are responsible for premature aging, they can also cause cancer, just like their UVB counterparts.
What About SPF In Natural Oils?
The SPF in natural oils, just like a traditional sunscreen, only protect your skin from UVB-causing sun damage. Take a look at the SPF provided by commonly used natural oils:
- Avocado Oil: 4-15 SPF
- Olive Oil: 2-8 SPF
- Coconut Oil: 2-8 SPF
- Meadowfoam Seed Oil: 2-4 SPF
- Squalane: 2-6 SPF
- Almond Oil: 5 SPF
- Jojoba Oil: 4 SPF
Experts recommend using a sun protection product that is at least SPF 15. As you can see, only one natural oil on this list satisfies that minimum recommendation. Aside from this, the SPF in natural oils is never guaranteed and can vary greatly depending on the brand, purity of the oil, and many other factors.
While these oils may have shown protective properties in lab tests, it is essential to understand that laboratory conditions are very different from being outside and in the sun. If you are someone who spends a great deal of your time outdoors, you may want to consider using a product that is specifically designed to protect your skin from the damaging rays of the sun.
Here’s The Bottom Line…
At PUUR Ingrid, we dedicate ourselves to the purpose of high-quality, natural health. However, we highly recommend sticking with the products that are specifically formulated and designed to offer an extra level of protection from the sun on your skin. With countless natural and organically focused options offered in stores and on the web, we encourage finding a protective sunscreen that aligns with your health and wellness goals and lifestyle.
PUUR Ingrid's Repair Booster is an excellent facial oil to reduce sun damage. It contains Berkemoyl Green Tea which is a valuable ingredient when it comes to antioxidants because of its EGCG content, a hard-to-find antioxidant that counters the effects of pollution, sun damage, and chemicals.
