Svea
It’s sunscreen week!
This is another guest post from my amazing (and funny, and smart, and talented) skin care correspondent, Svea. In fact, her crazy knowledge of sunscreen and how it relates to acne has resulted in a post that was so epic, it needed to be broken down into three parts!
This is part 3. Click here to read Part 1, and click here to read Part 2.
Also, check out Svea’s own blog here. Go. Do it.
“Safe” Sunscreens for the Body
1) Badger Balm – Sport Sunscreen Unscented – SPF 35
American websites about green cosmetics often highlight Badger sunscreens to be one of the “safest” options available on the market. You can buy these products in many other countries outside the US as well.
I tried the Sport Sunscreen: it separates a bit, is slightly greasy and a little pasty, but tends to rub in better than some other brands of mineral sunscreens.
It‘s a certified organic product, contains only few ingredients and no chemical emulsifiers (in this case, beeswax is used as a substance that doesn’t only make the sunscreen water-resistant, but also has some emulsifying qualities at the same time).
The Sport Sunscreen doesn’t contain any essential oils or seed oils and is an ideal option for the beach (at least it‘s my sunscreen of choice in this case)!
If it separates, you can “re-emulsify“ it manually by kneading the tube. Yet, beeswax (and some of the plant butters contained) can also block your pores and cause breakouts. If you suffer from back acne, try another product (for instance “DeVita Solar Body Block – SPF 30+“ or, if your skin doesn’t burn easily, “Badger Balm – Sunscreen Lotion Aloe Vera- SPF 16“).
- Sunscreen agent: non-nano zinc oxide
- Whitening effect: leaves a slightly white cast
- Texture: creme, a little pasty
- Spreadability: easier to spread compared to many other mineral sunblocks
- Emulsifiers: beeswax
- Preservatives: none
- Scent: unscented
- Ingredients: non-nano, uncoated zinc oxide 22.5%, olea europaea (extra virgin olive) oil, cera alba (beeswax), theobroma cacao (cocoa) butter, butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) oil.
2) Badger Balm – Unscented Sunscreen – SPF 34 (or 30+)
This product is very similar to the Badger Balm Sport Sunscreen version, but it feels a little
more moisturizing.
- Sunscreen agent: non-nano zinc oxide
- Whitening effect: leaves a slightly white cast
- Texture: creme, a little pasty
- Spreadability: easier to spread compared to other mineral sunblocks
- Emulsifiers: beeswax
- Preservatives: vitamin E
- Scent: unscented
- Ingredients: non-nano, uncoated zinc uxide 18.75%, olea europaea (extra virgin olive) oil, cera alba (beeswax), simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) oil, theobroma cacao (cocoa) butter, butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, tocopherol (sunflower vitamin E), CO2 extract of hippophae rhamnoides (seabuckthorn).
3) DeVita Solar Body Block – SPF 30+
This sunscreen lotion could be an ideal choice for those suffering from back acne. It absorbs quickly and doesn’t feel oily or sticky. It‘s suitable for sensitive skin as well!
It‘s emulsified with lecithin only, which is great for acne prone skin. It contains essential oils and rosehip oil, but mixed into a basis of very stable oils. This sunscreen is not water-resistant. Make sure to reapply it after swimming!
- Sunscreen agent: non-nano zinc oxide
- Whitening effect: almost no whitening effect at all
- Texture: lotion
- Spreadability: easily spreadable
- Emulsifiers: lecithin phospholipid
- Preservatives: vitamin E, grape seed extract
- Scent: essential oils
- Ingredients: zinc oxide 19%, aloe barbadensis (certified organic aloe vera gel), water (purified), camellia sinensis (japanese green tea) leaf extract, capric/caprylic triglycerides (derived from coconut oil), glycerin (vegetable), butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), olea europaea (olive) oil, lecithin phospholipid, hyaluronic acid (vegan source), simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil, squalane (olive), panthenol (vitamin B5), tocopherol (vitamin E), NaPCA, rosa moschata (rose hip) oil, centella asiatica (goto kola), copper gluconate, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, fucus vesiculosis (seaweed) extract, allantoin, sodium riboflavin phosphate, chondrus crispus (Irish moss), lavandula officinalis (lavender) essential oil, anthemis nobilis (chamomile) flower essential oil, vitis vinifera (grape) seed extract.
4) Badger Balm – Sunscreen Lotion Aloe Vera – SPF 16
An option for darker skin types, who don‘t burn easily, but suffer from back acne. At least this product claims to be non-comedogenic! It goes on smoothly and isn‘t very greasy. Also, it does not leave a heavy white cast on your skin.
- Sunscreen agent: non-nano zinc oxide
- Whitening effect: no heavy whitening effect
- Texture: lotion
- Spreadability: easy to spread
- Emulsifiers: sucrose polysoyate, sucrose cocoate
- Preservatives: can‘t see any (?)
- Scent: essential oils
- Ingredients: non-nano, uncoated zinc oxide 10.55%, aloe barbadensis (aloe) extract, olea europaea (extra virgin olive) oil, sucrose polysoyate (from soybean), aqua (purified water), ethyl palmate (from palm), sucrose cocoate (from
- coconut), glycerin (from palm), citrus medica limonum (lemon) extract, chondrus crispus (carrageenan) extract, xanthan gum, hydrolyzed soy protein (from soybean).
Self-Made Sunscreen
I’m a huge fan of do-it-yourself cosmetics! Homemade cremes and potions are creative, unique and free of weird ingredients. By making my own products, I can control exactly what goes in. In addition, most stuff I‘m making works even better than many commercial products!
But before you are going to invest in zinc oxide powder, gloves and a mask, hold on!
Homemade sunscreen mixtures can go on unevenly leaving portions of your skin vulnerable to the sun. Moreover, most forms of zinc oxide (or titanium dioxide) available on the market consist of nano particles, which can easily be absorbed by your lungs and nasal passages and represent a serious health risk.
That‘s why powder or spray sunscreens are not recommended, especially if they contain nano particles and are applied to the face!
Nevertheless, I was naughty and curious enough to try a few sunscreen concoctions (I bought non-nano zinc oxide!), but I must say that I didn’t get any results, that were cosmetically acceptable: too greasy, extremely whitening, not spreadable – and they simply didn’t feel “safe“ enough. In my opinion, it‘s not worth it!
After Sun and Sunburn Treats
And what if you get a sunburn? Natural sunburn remedies can be as close by as your kitchen table. Realize that all burns will continue to go deeper, even after removing yourself from the sun. That‘s why you need to cool the area as soon as possible! Don‘t put any oily substances on sunburned skin! The oily layer will prevent your skin to cool down.
- A self-made spray out of mineral or distilled water (or a ready-made thermal water spray) will cool down the burning sensation: Spray liberally over face and body whenever you feel you need it! Keep the spray bottle in the fridge!
- Aloe vera gel has anti-inflammatory properties, is moisturizing and cooling. In addition, it‘s a first aid remedy for gazes, bites and stings as well!
- Alcohol-free organic floral waters are another great cooling and skin-healing option: hamamelis, lavender, tea tree, chamomile and helicrysum floral waters are always a good choice. Avoid mint hydrosols, because these will likely increase the burning sensation when your skin is so delicate!
- Apply compresses soaked in very strong (and cold!) black or green tea as a gentle anti-inflammatory treatment for at least 10 minutes several times a day. Tea contains tannic acid which will help to fortify and cool your skin, while supporting the healing process. Use compresses that are permeable to air. Avoid to seal your skin hermetically at any cost.
If you are just looking for some after-sun pampering, you can also add some oils to your
skincare “routine“:
- Coconut oil feels nice and cooling and melts as soon as it gets in contact with your skin. Keep it in your fridge for an extra cooling sensation.
- In the evenings, you can apply a few drops of rosehip, pomegranate or evening primrose oil to your face. These oils are phototoxic during the day, but are great skin-healers at nighttime: linoleic and linolenic acids have an anti-inflammatory and soothing effect on sun-damaged skin. Moreover, rosehip and pomegranate oil are full of antioxidants and can help to restore skin tissue and make existing hyper-pigmentation marks fade – at least a little bit.
Final Tips!
- Try to avoid chemical sunscreens and those containing nano particles, parabens or unstable oils. Choose a sunscreen containing the mineral reflector zinc oxide (not nano!) instead. Sun protection factors of 20-30 are great to protect your skin against sunburn, the main cause of skin cancer. Think, that all 100+++ factor claims are just another sneaky selling trick! Essentially, these products won‘t give you a much higher protection than any regular SPF 30 sunscreen, but will most likely overload your skin with unnecessary irritants!
- Mineral sunscreen should be the last product you apply. Yet, mineral foundation or a few dabs of makeup can be applied on top of your sunscreen.
- Depending on your skin type, 5-15 minutes of sun exposure daily – without any sunscreen applied – are beneficial for your skin and for the health of your whole organism: The sun helps to stimulate vitamin D production. At the same time, we should always remember not to overdo our sunbathing sessions. The more time we spend in the sun, the more liver spots and hyper-pigmentation marks we will get. The more moles we have, the greater is the risk of developing skin cancer. Keep in mind, that the difference between medicine and poison is the dose!
- Clothing can protect you, especially a wide-brimmed hat (a sombrero or one of those big chinese straw hats are great for this purpose), big sunglasses and long-sleeved shirts. However, a white cotton shirt is not enough! It has a maximum protection factor of 10, which means that dangerous UV-A and-B rays can easily penetrate through the fabric. If your shirt it wet, the SPF goes nearly down to zero. Wear tightly woven, dark, but airy and comfortable fabrics instead. In addition, sunglasses are not just a fashion accessory! If your sunglasses have been certified by the CE label, your eyes are not only protected from UV radiation, but also from a well known eye disease – cataracts. It‘s a progressive disease, which clouds the lens of your eyes: Affected people begin to see things blurred at first, then contrasts will decrease, while sensitivity increases.
- The sun’s UV radiation is most intense during the middle part of the day between 10-11 am and 3-4 pm (this time range is varying a little, depending on where you live). During these hours, stay inside – or stay in the shade wearing your hat and sunglasses. Make a siesta! It depends on your skin type, the time of day and the weather conditions, how long you can expose yourself to the sun. As a general rule of thumb, several short periods of exposure are less “dangerous” than a long one. Small children up to one year of age should always stay in the shade!
- Remember to drink enough water (2-3 liters a day) and to integrate lots of antioxidants and carotenoids into your diet: fresh greens, berries, tomatoes, carrots, paprika, broccoli, peaches, grapefruits, melons, apricots, mangos, avocados, … . All in all: lots of fresh and colourful vegetables and/or fruit. Red, yellow and green! Feed your skin from the inside out!
Okay, I know, I know! This was long! Maybe your friends are already calling you every three minutes to ask you out, simply because it‘s such a lovely sunny day! I know, it was a whole lot of information and definitely not easy to digest.
Well? Go out and have some fun!
What about you? Which types of sunscreen do you prefer to use? Do you use any sunscreen at all? Have you ever found a sunscreen that doesn’t make you break out? Share your holy grails with us! And tell us about your doubts, concerns or convictions!
How about this one? I prefer the mexitan to badger. http:// www . mexitanproducts . com/
It’s chemical-free, PABA-Free, No Nanoparticles, No Mineral Oil, Gluten-Free, No Chemical Fragrances, No Animal Testing, Non Comedogenic
Biodegradable and Reef-Friendly!! Safe For Kids & Pets! 🙂
Hey Jessie,
the ingredients seem really good, BUT
you say, no nano-particles? – They “almost” use them! On their own website they state:
“The titanium dioxide and zinc oxide used in Mexitan Products are micronized, with a variable particle size in the range of 100-200nm. (Nanoparticles are considered to be less than 100nm in size).”
As a comparison, DeVita uses micronized zinc oxide as well, but with an average particle size around 240 nm. That’s a BIG difference in size!
In addition, they write:
“Mexitan sunscreen lotions contain Z-Cote and T-Lite, …”
These ultra-fine particles are produced by BASF. T-Lite is made of rutile titanium dioxide (which is good!), but it’s coated with silicone (= methicone: That’s not that natural, is it?):
http://breakingnews.ewg.org/2012sunscreen/ewg-s-methodology-for-assessing-sunscreens/
Some people tend to break out if their sunscreen contains silicon coated particles.
I sure climbed up on my high horse to complain and it’s still your choice to use it or not, but these are a few considerations I’d think about!
Anyway, there are definitely many products out there that are MUCH WORSE!
Hi Svea!
I was wondering, am I the only one who finds it weird to see ingredients such as ‘vitamin A’ or ‘beta-carotene’ in a sunscreen’s ingredient list? I mean, vitamin A and its derivatives are supposed to make your skin photo-sensitive! And yet I see this in several certified organic sunscreens along with other ‘anti-oxidants’. What do you think?
Hi Lily,
yes, you’re right! And you’re not the only one who finds it weird! Believe me. Look at this:
http://www.ewg.org/report/what-scientists-say-about-vitamin-sunscreen
In fact, vitamin A and vitamin A derivatives react with UV light to form harmful free radicals that are toxic to the skin and that may also break down to harmful chemical byproducts.
I should have mentioned that in my article, because I KNEW about it! One becomes so blind while writing all that stuff! But that’s exactly the reason why I didn’t even consider to review any of those sunscreens containing retinoids!
@ EVERYONE:
PLEASE AVOID SUNSCREENS CONTAINING RETINOIDS!!! These are usually listed as VITAMIN A, RETINYL PALMITATE or RETINOL PALMITATE.
PS-
Other common anti-oxidants in sunscreens such as vitamin E, green tea extract, beta-glucan or astaxanthin are not only harmless, but actually protect the cream from oxidation and help to limit the formation of free radicals on your skin.
Jojoba oil is also a great stabilizing ingredient.
My goodness, how did you get to know all this stuff? 😀 Thanks for the great articles!
Off-topic: Tracy, I’ve recently read an article in a dermatology book about manual lymphatic drainage. Basically it’s a very gentle massage done around lymph nodes usually by a physiotherapist. It’s supposed to get your lymph flowing, which helps detox your skin. The dermatologists who wrote the article claim regular MLD is effective against cellulite, so I thought, why wouldn’t it be beneficial against acne? Apparently there’s MLD for the body as well as for the face. Unfortunately, because it’s cheap and anyone can learn how to do it for free, it was only allocated a couple of pages in that book, unlike expensive surgical procedures… so I couldn’t quite figure out how to do it from the info provided. Do you know about it and would you consider doing an article/video in the future?
Hi Lily!
I’m not sure about lymphatic massage in particular, but I do think helping your lymph system move toxins is a great idea that may definitely help your skin. The most common form of lymph massage that I know about is called dry skin brushing… google it, there will be lots of instructions. It’s easy too
Hi Svea!
I just bought the Lovea sun spray UV 15, and I really need your opinion:) What do you think about the ingredients in this sunscreen: http://www.planetorganic.com/lovea-organic-spf-15-sunscreen-spray.html
Hi Sandra!
Go for it! It seems to be great!
I tried the LSF 30 one, maybe 2 years ago. I think, it’s true that it doesn’t contain any nano-particles: You really have to spread it to reduce the whitening effect!!! But hey, at least it’s harmless!
It’s a little emulsifier-laden for my taste, but that’s only me! You won’t need to worry about it!
There’s a seed oil in it. I don’t know much about pongamia galbra oil, but the lotion is stabilized by lots of vitamin E (tocopherol), so you’re on the safe side for sure!
It could sting a little bit, if you have a sunburn because it contains mentha piperita water. But that’s really the only reaction it might provoke! Make sure you never burn!
PS-
I guess, I made those emulsifiers sound a little too scary!!! The ones used in this sunscreen are relatively mild substances.
I simply want to avoid them as much as I can because my skin tends to feel a tad sweaty underneath and looks like freshly lacquered!
Hi Svea, ah yes by reading your article I was not sure about the combination of some ingredients, but when I bought it sounded so perfect:) so I will use this sunscreen this summer to try it out and see what it does to my skin. But I will also look into the Badger ones when this one is empty (I’m from Holland and I have never seen those, but they sound great!:) Thank u for your wisdom!
Hi Sandra,
in Europe Badger sunscreens are mostly available through online shops. I don’t know if there’s one in Holland as well, but you could google it to find out!
I really wish there were more physical retailers!!! 😀
Hey Svea!! I need your opinion/help as usual please lol! What do you think about Dr. Alkaitis day cream? I got the trial kit and wasn’t the biggest fan at first. I’ve been using manuka honey (5 star, EXPENSIVE -.-) as a face wash but still had clogged pores and blackheads and occasional breakouts. I moisturized with jojoba or argan oil and while my skin looked glowy and healthy afterwards, I still had the clogged pores problem. I’ve been doing that for about a month with not much improvement but recently gave dr. alkaitis another try. I used his cleanser, day cream and afterwards a little bit of his soothing gel on trouble areas and MAN my skin is looking uh…. pretty amazing. And it’s the 3rd day only… I just wanted to know what you think of his stuff (and also his treatment oil because it seems to be super popular as well). I do know he claims the day cream has natural sun protection or whatever. So please if you could look into it for me I would really appreciate it! I did purchase some of his super expensive stuff and I do want to purchase more but I really want to know what you think! Please & thank you <3 🙂
Yuriy
OMG, Yuriy! You’re spending that much money on your skin care products?
Do you really want my honest opinion? I think Dr. Alkaitis is EXTREMELY OVERPRICED!!! Yes, the products have some very nice ingredients: the day cream is emulsified by lecithin only and contains shea butter, a soothing and healing ingredient. Personally, I wouldn’t rely on that “natural sun protection which is inherent in the plants themselves” (I copied the company‘s own words). That’s bullshit, at least in my opinion! I’m REALLY skeptical about the sun protection claims of oils or plant extracts in general, as these typically only have an SPF of two or even lower and you‘d have to apply a VERY thick layer of the product to get all those protecting benefits. You can read great success stories, but also horror descriptions throughout the web: Please, don’t believe in everything people tell you!!! Don’t take the risk – use a mineral sunscreen, wear a wide-brimmed hat or stay in the shade!!!
You know that vitamin C, essential oils, citrus seed and other herbal extracts can be phototoxic, right? On the other hand, this moisturizer is stabilized by lots of vitamin E, but it’s definitely NO sunscreen substitute. As an every day solution, you could apply some zinc oxide based mineral foundation (wait at least 15 minutes after putting on the cream to make sure that it has sunken in completely). But it’s still a no-go for the beach!
If you can, avoid the Dr. Alkaitis serum and gel. These products contain alcohol (even if organic and derived from grapes: alcohol = alcohol) and might dry out your skin on the long run.
And remember: Please don’t put too many products onto your skin (even if these are manufactured by the same brand)! Three days are definitely not enough to judge the effectiveness of a skincare routine! Look at this:
http://blackoldchewinggum.com/2012/04/20/are-you-a-skincare-messie/
I wasn’t gonna use the day cream instead of a sunscreen don’t worry lol!! I reread your posts on sunscreen like 3 times so I did learn something. I do love Dr.alkaitis but claims aren’t enough for me 🙂 I need facts, so I ordered both devitas face and body after doing some research! I just hope it wont bother my eyes because from the reviews I’ve read a lot of people seem to have tearing eyes during the day when they wear it. I was always wondering if you had your own blog and I’m SO happy you do! 😀 I do agree maybe I need to reconsider the price lol… it is A LOT! I do have more annoying questions but I can bother you on your blog now 😉
I really MyChelle sun shield is a great product for face (in reality to expensive for body) and Aubrey sunscreen (or badger for that matter) for body. An okay one for body would be the goddess garden natural sunscreen if that is the best you can find.
I really like MyChelle is what I was saying 🙂
Hi Tanya,
thank you so much for your sunscreen tips!
MyChelle sound quite convincing: no vitamin A derivates, ZinClear (= 2740nm particle size), no phototoxic ingredients and it contains a lot of vitamin E. It still contains a small amount of titanium dioxide, but just 0.67% – almost nothing. For my taste, there are too many emulsifiers and there is too much glycerin in there, but I already mentioned why I don’t like that stuff: It’s mainly a personal preference!
Aubrey is quite okay, but not great: it contains Japanese honeysuckle extract, which is thought to be some kind of a secret paraben (it contains a complex mixture of ionicerin and natural PARA-hydroxyBENzoic acid). However, whether a natural paraben is better for you than a synthetic one is still up for debate!
In addition, Aubrey sunscreens contain micronized zinc oxide AND titanium dioxide with an average particle size of 202nm. Aubrey Organics claims: “Some of the particles might very well fall below the 100nm threshold and be classified as nanoparticles, but that is not the rule and they usually do not exist in isolation.”
Personally, I’d still choose Badger!!!
BUT: The goddess garden baby sunscreen sounds actually quite AMAZING to me: no parabens, no nano particles, no vitamin A or derivates, a zinc oxide based formula, no titanium dioxide, VERY few ingredients, it contains vitamin E and lecithin is the only emulsifier! That’s a really great alternative! Thanks for mentioning it!
Lots of love!
Try Raw Elements 🙂 http://www.rawelementsusa.com actually lasts in the water/action sports. is reef safe. biodegradable. no tears. no titanium. large sized zinc. no irritating coatings. lots of antioxidants. great for sensitive skin. light on oils/ more natural butters. mostly organic ingredients. you don’t sweat it it. and doesn’t cause breakouts! (actually, i use it on rashes!) check it out!
Hey Svea,
Firstly I love your article, very very informative. This is a bit off topic about sunscreens. I recently moved in with a parent, well, not so recent as it has been about 2 1/2 months now. I am in Florida but I am from New York, which doesn’t have much, or regular sun during the winter months. I am a bit paranoid about the sun here and I do like to invest in good sunblocks, however, There were a few days where I went to the beach without it. I thought I could handle to sun exposure because I am partly olive skinned, but I am on the fairer side. Long story short, I couldn’t because there was one day that I burned and felt it and it was terrible. It is very obvious for me because I usually have always avoided the sun in the past. I notice now how my skin has become a different color after a month, just from living here! I really do not enjoy it and will be moving soon to colder climates, but what exactly can you do when you want to speed up the lightening process? Is time really only the answer, and how many months would you say to get back to your normal skin color?
Hi M!
Well, time is an answer for sure! In the meantime, try to put on some good (zinc oxide) sunscreen lsf 30 every day, and wenever you go outside, make sure to wear a widebrimmed hat, sunglasses and some long clothes whenever possible. Moreover, you could peel your body once/twice a week or dry brush it every day to get rid of dead skin cells and to stimulate the production of new (lighter) ones.
Here is a great article about acne scars and hyperpigmentation Tracy posted some time ago – and a sweet video, too! I think, the same “rules” apply to your suntanned skin, if you want to lighten it a little bit:
https://thelovevitamin.com/1150/a-quick-guide-to-natural-treatments-for-acne-scars/
https://thelovevitamin.com/521/how-to-get-rid-of-acne-scars-and-hyperpigmentation-naturally/
However, I’m not able to tell you how long it will take for you to get back to your normal skin tone. I think that depends on many different parameters, including skin type, age, heredity, diet, lifestyle…
Hi,
I really enjoyed this article. Is there any way you could have another guest post like this but reviewing natural foundations instead? I found this article extremely helpful in finding the perfect facial sunscreen so it would definetly help my search for the righ natural makeup.
I hope you will consider this!
Thanks!
Hi Svea,
Thx for the post! I wanted to ask about hyper-pigmentation marks. I already have these dark-brown marks on my forhead and above my upper lip, and I use brightening cream, which I come to realize isn’t great for my skin, while also making it very sensitive to the sun. Is there any natural brightening method out there? I’m quite uncomfortable about the marks and am afraid that they’ll get worse over time, or, say, during pregnancy (as I’ve been told they’re hormonal).
Hi Limor,
for your hyper-pigmentation marks you could try tamanu oil, sea buckthorn seed oil, rosehip seed oil (just 1-2 drops applied to damp skin) – or MSM powder: add 3 heaped teaspoons of MSM powder to 100ml (30oz) of floral water, aloe vera gel or simply some mineral water, shake well and use it as a spray (or as a toner) to moisten your face before you apply some oil – or nothing at all, if you prefer that. Make sure to store the toner in your fridge.
As far as MSM is concerned: try to avoid impure grades of MSM imported from China and the Far East, synthetic, petrochemical or animal derived MSM or MSM powders containing fillers, flow agents or additives. Crystal flakes seem to be the most effective MSM product. I think it’s best to write an email to the supplier and ask them a few questions:
– Country of origin?
– Organic or synthetic? Is it pure?
– Level of purity?
– Crystal flakes or powder?
Does it contain flow or bulking agents?
Castor oil seems to work pretty well too. And it‘s a very economic choice 😉 !!! Just apply it directly on your hyper-pigmentation marks and gently massage it in until absorbed.
However, it‘ll take time, so please try to be patient…. Try to avoid the sun during the peak hours, wear big sunglasses / a wide-brimmed hat and put on some mineral sunscreen whenever you can‘t avoid the sun.
Hi Svea,
Thanks for the answer 🙂 I think I’ll have a try with one of the oils – MSM seems to be a little tricky to get here in Israel.
By the way, what do you think about lemon as a brightener? Would it be enough to reduce dark spots if applied every night?
Hi Limor,
fresh lemon juice works quite well. It takes time, but everything does, so please be patient. It might be a little too acidic for sensitive skin types if applied every night, but you could try to apply it on those brownish spots only. A honey mask or diluted apple cider vinegar as a face tonic have a slight brightening effect as well.
Hi Svea,
I am Asian and I have been taking precaution by wearing hat and sunglasses. I have been using this sunscreen, is it safe? Or do you have any other sunscreen to recommend? (the link below).
I am quite sporty too but I will reapply sun block on my body and sunscreen on my face after every few hours.
My skin is oily with huge pores and acne-prone. I have just started to use jojoba oil mix with drops of tea tree oil to cleanse and moisturize my face. Which sunscreen can I apply after moisturizing with jojoba oil?
http://www.amazon.com/Loreal-Perfect-Anti-Dullness-SPF-30ml/dp/B00BVF9A22/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1386992483&sr=8-1&keywords=loreal+uv+perfect+sunscreen+anti+dullness
I have a few freckles and how do I get rid of them?
I have been trying to lighten them by eating more tomato and vegetables for lots of months and they got a bit lighten but couldn’t get rid of them.
Thanks a lot! Do help me!!