Organic Sunscreen

Ollie is a big fan of water play. Water parks, pool, beach..you name it, he’s there. And kids, being kids, they grow up so quickly. He has already gone through 4 swimsuits.

Natural emollients Sunflower, Olive and Jojoba Oils and Shea Butter offer deep moisturisation while Aloe Vera and rich Olive Leaf Extract and natural Vitamin E offer protections against free radical damage and Bisabolol soothes inflammation

Having fun in the outdoors usually means exposing yourself to the elements. Especially in sunny Singapore, exposure to the sun may be one deterrent for people to have fun outdoors or have fun in the water. Prolong exposure to the sun without proper protection ages the skin and can cause irreversible damage. Therefore, as much as you can, try to cover up with a hat or long sleeve top. Living in Perth for 3 years have taught us to slather up with sunscreen whenever we head out in the summer. And we were determined to do so when bringing the kids out for waterplay in Singapore.

The use of sunscreen is recommended when you are heading outdoors as it blocks out both UVB and UVA radiation. In general, a sunblock with SPF15 is sufficient for most people. Of course, the higher the SPF, the better the protection. But do note that SPF30 does not mean that it is twice the strength of SPF15. A SPF15 sunscreen filters out 93% of UVB ray while a SPF30 sunscreen filters out 97% of UVB ray. If you look at SPF50, it filters out 98% of the UVB ray.

Most sunblock in the market use the mineral zinc oxide as the active ingredient, and are usually water resistant. However, they usually feel cakey when applied on the skin, or if you are particular like me, it has a funky smell (chemical or coconut-y). Thankfully, there are organic sunscreens in the market that provide the same protection but are made with natural ingredients, without harmful chemicals such as aluminium, phthalates, or parabens. These options may be more suited for people with eczema or sensitive skin.

Little Innoscents Sun Lotion contains no harmful chemicals, is fragrance-free and rubs into the skin really well. It also contains Vitamin E and aloe vera to hydrate the skin whilst playing under the sun! Another organic sunscreen that I recommend is the Buds Organic Solar Care Lotion, which is specially created for children. It contains shea butter to moisturise the skin, while aloe vera, olive leaf extract and natural Vitamin E offer protections against free radical damage and Bisabolol soothes inflammation.

Both are organic options and are suitable for babies and sensitive skin. The key difference between the two: Little Innoscents Sun Lotion offers SPF30 protection and uses zinc oxide, while the Bud Solar Care Lotion offers SPF25 protection and uses titanium dioxide.