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Use This, Not That: Beautycounter Sunscreen - a safer option

Conventional sunblock is loaded with toxic chemicals and endocrine disruptors. Beautycounter Sunscreen is a safer option with the same level of protection.

Beautycounter sunscreen lined up on a bathroom vanity: Countersun After Sun Cooling Gel, Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Mist SPF 30, Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30, Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 30, and Dew Skin. Above the bathroom vanity is a mirror that reflects back a framed photo of a sloth.

Why I made the switch to Beautycounter Sunscreen

While this is technically a food blog, to me, it makes no sense to share healthy recipes without sharing all of the other factors that go into a healthy lifestyle. 

The skin is the largest organ, with pores, and the ability to absorb up to 70% of products applied topically right into the bloodstream. I figured it’s pretty important to educate myself about the ingredients in the products I use regularly, especially sunscreen, which I use year round.

When I first started transitioning to a non-toxic, chemical free home with essential oils in 2014, I became acutely aware of the dangerous ingredients in some of my everyday products. I used the Environmental Working Group website to look up individual products and ingredients, and what health risks were associated with items I was using multiple times a day, on my skin, in my hair, and in my home. 

Many of the ingredients in my makeup, skincare, personal care products, and household cleaners were associated with cancer, allergies/immunotoxicity, organ system toxicity, developmental and reproductive toxicity and much, much, more. I knew there had to be a better way ... a safer way.

After making DIY essential oil household cleaner swaps, I started replacing my beauty and skincare products. In 2016, I joined Beautycounter because their B-corp mission and ideals aligned with my personal values. I was impressed with the quality and efficacy of their safer products from the start, and the Beautycounter sunscreen and sun scare products quickly became some of my daily, holy grail products.

Text image: BEAUTY SHOULD BE GOOD FOR YOU with the text fading in ombre blue hues from light to dark.

Why do we need sunscreen?

Sunlight exposure is essential for humans because sunlight helps our bodies make vitamin D, which helps us absorb calcium and phosphorus from our food. Vitamin D is called the “sunshine vitamin,” -- when the cholesterol in our skin cells is exposed to the sun's ultraviolet B (UVB) rays, the UVB rays provide the energy for our bodies to synthesize vitamin D.

40% of Americans don’t get enough vitamin D, and lowered levels are linked to osteoporosis (since the body can’t absorb adequate levels of calcium without vitamin D) as well as cancer, depression, and muscle weakness.

While you can get vitamin D from a few real food sources or with supplements, the best source is sunlight. About 13 minutes of sun exposure three times a week in the summer is all you need to get your healthy dose of vitamin D. The problem is when we go beyond that 13 minutes, the UVB rays can cause more harm than good. This is where sunscreen is helpful.

Protection from UVB rays is essential for safe exposure to sunlight. Too much exposure to UVB rays can lead to damage to the outer layer of the skin. Sunscreen is essential for reducing the risk for skin cancer, avoiding sunburn, and slowing down the aging process, and choosing the right SPF from a safer skincare sunscreen can make all the difference.

A hand holding a bottle of Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Spray in front of a pool with a large unicorn floaty in the background.

What is SPF and how does it actually work?

The active ingredients in sunscreen work to absorb and reflect UV rays. When we talk about sunscreen, it’s important to also talk about the SPF, or the sun protection factor of sunscreen.

According to skincancer.org, “The SPF of a sunblock tells you how long the sun’s UVB rays would take to redden your skin if you apply the sunscreen exactly as directed compared with the amount of time without sunscreen. So, if you use an SPF 30 product properly, it would take you 30 times longer to burn than if you used no sunscreen.”

So, if it takes you 10 minutes for your skin to redden in the sun without sunscreen, sunscreen with an SPF 30 will give you 300 minutes of protection, or about 5 hours. Skincancer.org recommends reapplying sunscreen every 2 hours to be safe.

Who needs to wear sunscreen?

In short, everyone. It’s no secret that I’m a sunscreen fanatic -- I wear it year round and I advise everyone else to do the same. Your skin is damaged by sun exposure over your lifetime, whether or not you burn. Even people of color can get skin cancer.

Everyone should wear sunscreen -- SPF 15 at minimum for daily wear, SPF 30 for outdoor activity days. Reapply every 2 hours and get someone to help you so that you can be sure to cover the harder to reach areas.

Yes, sunscreen is for everyone. That being said, not all sunblock is safe.

A hand holding a bottle of Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Spray in front of a city landscape with a beautiful blue sky in the background.

Beautycounter raises the bar

The major difference between Beautycounter sunscreen and other sunscreen brands is that Beautycounter sunscreens are made with safer ingredients. The United States has not passed a major federal law to regulate the safety of ingredients used in personal care products since 1938. Because companies aren’t beholden to strict legislation, they can formulate their products with a wide range of unsafe chemicals to cut costs. 

Beautycounter’s mission is to get safer personal care products out into the market and advocate for stricter policy regarding the regulation of allowable ingredients. Until the legislation catches up with Beautycounter’s standards, they have created their own standard. The Never List™ is made up of more than 1,800 questionable or harmful chemicals that we never use as ingredients in Beautycounter products.

Unfortunately, other sunscreen companies do not adhere to the same standards. 

A text image of Beautycounter's Never List displaying some of the ingredients that Beautycounter has committed to never using in any of their products.

Common toxic sunscreen ingredients

Not only is Beautycounter sunscreen safer than conventional sunscreens, it’s free from 3 of the most toxic common sunscreen ingredients (all 3 found on The Never List™). Let’s take a look at these ingredients …

  • Oxybenzone: Sunscreen agent and ultraviolet light absorber linked to irritation, sensitization and allergies, and possible hormone disruption. Found in: sunscreen, moisturizer.
  • Retinyl palmitate (Vitamin A Palmitate): Retinyl palmitate is an ingredient composed of palmitic acid and retinol (Vitamin A). Data from an FDA study indicate that retinyl palmitate, when applied to the skin in the presence of sunlight, may result in adverse health consequences like lesions and photosensitization. FDA, Norwegian and German health agencies have raised a concern that daily skin application of vitamin A creams may contribute to excessive vitamin A intake for pregnant women and other populations.
  • Synthetic fragrance: An engineered scent that may contain any combination of 3,000-plus stock chemical ingredients, including hormone disruptors and allergens. Fragrance formulas are protected under federal law’s classification of trade secrets and therefore can remain undisclosed. Found in: all types of cosmetics.

Because all 3 of these ingredients are on The Never List™, you won’t find them in any Beautycounter products. Other personal care brands can’t say the same.

A bottle of Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Spray sits on a stone wall next to a cup of coffee and a pair of upside down reflective silver sunglasses. In the background is a crystal clear blue green pool.

Beautycounter Sunscreen versus conventional brands

When comparing Beautycounter Sunscreen to other conventional sunscreen brands, Beautycounter wins hands down. Here’s how 3 different Beautycounter sunscreen products stack up to comparable sunscreen products from other brands.

Beautycounter sunscreens are:

  • All natural, non-toxic, chemical free
  • UVA / UVB / and Blue Light blocking
  • Water resistant up to 40 minutes
  • Reef friendly
  • Hydrating and go on smooth without leaving a residue
  • SPF 30

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY SKINCARE PRODUCTS ARE SAFE?

Before trying a new product, I always run the ingredients through the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Database. EWG rates each ingredient from 1 (low concern) to 10 (high concern). Not only does every product and ingredient receive a rating, but there’s also an explanation to tell you what concerns come with the rating. You can read more about EWG’s rating system and product standards here.

Let's do a comparison, shall we:

Up & Up Sport Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30 (Target Brand)

Beautycounter Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30

  • SPF 30
  • Overall rating: 1 out of 10 (low hazard)
  • 1 ingredient with a rating over 4:
    • CITRUS MEDICA LIMONUM (LEMON) PEEL OIL (EWG Score: 6) -- this is just lemon peel oil, but it’s rated highly because it can be irritating for some people

Coppertone Sport Sunscreen Spray, SPF 30

  • SPF 30
  • Overall rating: 7 out of 10 (high hazard)
  • 2 ingredients with a rating over 4:

Beautycounter Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Mist, SPF 30

  • SPF 30
  • Overall rating: 3 out of 10 (moderate hazard)
  • 1 ingredient with a rating over 4:
    • CITRUS MEDICA LIMONUM (LEMON) PEEL OIL (EWG Score: 6) -- this is just lemon peel oil, but it’s rated highly because it can be irritating for some people

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Glow Sheers Tinted Moisturizer, Ivory to Fair, SPF 30

Beautycounter Dew Skin Moisturizing Coverage, No.1, SPF 20

  • SPF 20
  • Overall rating: 2 out of 10 (low hazard)
  • 0 ingredients with a rating over 4

A wide shot of Beautycounter sunscreen lined up on a bathroom vanity: Countersun After Sun Cooling Gel, Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Mist SPF 30, Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30, Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 30, and Dew Skin.

 

Which type of Beautycounter sunscreen and sun care products should you use?

Beautycounter has quite a few sunscreen and sun care products. You can choose from lotion, spray, tinted spray, and even a sunscreen stick.

Beautycounter sunscreens are:

  • All natural, non-toxic, chemical free
  • UVA / UVB / and Blue Light blocking
  • Water resistant up to 40 minutes
  • Reef friendly
  • Hydrating and go on smooth without leaving a residue
  • SPF 30

I have tattoos that I’d like to keep vibrant and beautiful. I trust Beautycounter to protect my tattoos, keep my skin looking young and healthy, and protect me from harmful UV rays.

If you’re looking for a daily sunscreen for your face (which is more frequently exposed to sunlight) with a little more coverage, Beautycounter has two options:

  • Countersun Daily Sheer Defense for Face SPF 25 - this is a lightweight facial sunscreen. It goes on smooth, without leaving any residue or feeling greasy. It is meant to be applied on top of your daily moisturizer.
  • Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer - very light tinted moisturizer with SPF 20. It provides a light amount of coverage and feels you aren’t wearing anything at all. You can mix it with your daily moisturizer, your foundation, or you can wear it on its own.

Beautycounter also has an After Sun Cooling Gel to help calm and rehydrate skin after being in the sun and in the water.

After one application of Countersun After Sun Cooling Gel, 100% of consumers said skin felt*:

  • Soothed
  • Hydrated
  • Cool
  • Less irritated

 *Based on an independent, 31-subject consumer perception study after 1 hour

Ready to try Beautycounter sunscreen for yourself?

If you’re ready to purchase Beautycounter sunscreen and sun care products, you can click here -- even travel sizes are available. 

Do you have to be a Consultant to order Beautycounter Products?

The short answer: nope! You can order products just like you would from Target, Sephora, Amazon, or any other online retailer. That being said, there are some things you can do to maximize your order, get the best deals, and the most free product. 

If you are going to place an order, I highly recommend adding a Band of Beauty Membership to your order. It is only $29 a year (does not auto renew) and you get TWO free travel size items: the Overnight Resurfacing Peel and the Counter + Charcoal Mask, two of my favorite products, and you get them for free with Band Of Beauty. You also get free shipping on orders over $100 and you earn 10% back in product credits to use towards free product, so the membership more than pays for itself. Learn more about B.O.B here.

A small rectangular button with a teal fill and a dark blue outline. Text on the button reads: "TO ORDER BEAUTYCOUNTER CLICK HERE"

 

To view each product individually, choose from the list below:

If you’re interested in switching to safer skincare and nontoxic beauty but you don’t know where to start, I’m happy to help. Just complete this form and I’ll email you back with a custom skincare recommendation. You do not have to be a consultant to order Beautycounter products.

A small rectangular button with a teal fill and a dark blue outline. Text on the button reads: "EMAIL ME FOR CUSTOM BEAUTYCOUNTER SKINCARE RECOMMENDATIONS BEAUTY@KYNDRAHOLLEY.COM"

Alternatively, you can send shoot me an email at [email protected]. In your email, please include the following information:

  • Age
  • Skin type
  • Any skin issues you are working to correct
  • Interested in skincare, makeup, or both?
  • Current skincare routine

Beautycounter sunscreen lined up on a bathroom vanity: Countersun After Sun Cooling Gel, Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Mist SPF 30, Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30, and Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 30. Above the bathroom vanity is a mirror that reflects back a framed photo of a sloth.