Sunscreen and Nanoparticles

Summer is finally here!  At least I think it's here.  This is the time of year that summer happens, but it hasn't been feeling much like it.  Nevertheless, I have been spending all my free time in the garden.  And even if it's cold or cloudy, sunscreen is necessary.

I was not blessed with naturally tan skin, I am one of those people that burn within minutes of sun exposure. Rain or shine I have to apply lots of sunscreen and by a landslide my favorite sunscreen this summer is Badger's SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion.   I love Badger sunscreens because they are one of the safest sunscreen on the market today.  They are biodegradable, reef-safe, broad spectrum, hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic and made of non-nano uncoated zinc oxide.

Nanoparticles are defined as particles smaller than 100 nanometers, or 100 billionths of a meter.  The controversy surrounding these particles of late stems from their small size and their possible potential for absorption through the skin into the bloodstream.

Chemical sunscreen ingredients are molecular in size and therefore significantly smaller than nanoparticles. They are designed to be absorbed by the skin, so they can get into the blood.  I love Badger sunscreens because all of their sunscreens are composed of non-nano uncoated zinc oxide which sits atop the skin, scattering and absorbing UVA & UVB rays.  According to all known studies pertaining to zinc oxide (nano or non-nano), this naturally occurring mineral has never been known to penetrate healthy human skin!