If you're planning your next great outdoor adventure, whether it's hiking, climbing or swimming, you probably already know that one of the most important things you should consider is how you'll protect your skin from the sun's harmful UVA and UVB rays. But did you also know that, unfortunately, many traditional sunblocks can actually harm the environment you so enjoy spending time in?
The Great Barrier Reef is rightfully known as one of Australia's greatest natural wonders. On a rapidly warming planet, it's crucial that we do everything we can to protect it. This is particularly important when selecting sunblocks. Historically, more traditional chemical sunblocks have been found to contain harmful chemicals such as oxybenzone and octyl methoxycinnamate, both of which can contribute to coral bleaching. If you're looking for a reef-safe mineral sunblock for outdoors sports, which not only feels good but does good, here are some of the key things you should look out for.
Be at One with Nature Without Compromising Your Skin's Delicate Barrier
Traditional chemical sunblocks may work to some extent in shielding your skin from the sun, but they can actually do more harm than good to your skin in the long run. They are absorbed rapidly into the skin, there's even a danger of them entering the bloodstream. Not only that, but as these chemicals are rinsed down the sink at the end of the day, they enter waterways and oceans and ultimately, can cause long-term damage to our precious coral reefs. In order to make sure you're protecting your skin without running the risk of harmful ingredients getting into your body or the environment, look for a sunblock containing zinc oxide.
Zinc oxide has been used for millennia thanks to its medicinal, healing properties. Unlike traditional chemical sunblocks, it doesn't absorb into the skin but sits in a layer on top of it. This makes it a more effective barrier between your skin and the sun's harmful rays. Not only that, but it's totally water-resistant. If you love nothing more than competing in aquatic sports or swimming, a sunblock containing zinc oxide is ideal; you can spend less time worrying about having to reapply your sunscreen every time you go in the water, and more time enjoying yourself.
Spending a lot of time outdoors is one of the best ways to rejuvenate the soul and improve your mental health. However, it can be hard on the skin. You need sun protection that is nourishing, gentle, and light enough for daily use. We fuse natural botanical ingredients with broad spectrum protection, utilising the nourishing properties of rosehip and safflower combined with cucumber and glycerine to craft an effective sunblock that's not only good for you, but good for the planet as well.
For all of its good qualities, a well-known drawback of zinc oxide is its bright white colour. We tackle this by introducing a subtle tint to our SPF products, removing the risk of a greasy white residue on your skin and leaving it beautifully radiant.
Our IKKARI mineral sunblock contains 216mg/g of zinc oxide, making it one of the most effective sunblocks on the market. Our motivation with all of our products is to harness the power of Mother Earth and use only the finest, Australia-made ingredients. This, combined with our commitment to using only infinitely recyclable materials in our packaging, means we're confident our full range of products will not only leave you feeling amazing, but also protect our planet.
Of course, the higher the SPF, the better the protection. The Australian sunshine can be fierce, particularly in the summer months, it's recommended to use a higher SPF, even an SPF 50 mineral sunblock for maximum protection.
Shop the Full Range of IKKARI Products Today
Here at IKKARI, our greatest wish is that our customers feel good both inside and out when they use our products. We've spent time sourcing only the most natural, Australia-made ingredients which not only make great products that really work but minimise our footprint on the planet. The skincare industry has historically had a dark side, using ingredients that might appear to be effective but can actually do untold damage to our bodies and the world. Through our commitment to using natural, organic ingredients, as well as infinitely recyclable packaging, we're joining the movement to change the industry for the better.