Despite what the T-shirt says, pale is not the new tan. But I’m pretty sure, last time I checked, skin cancer wasn’t the new tan, either. The compromise, then, for a freckle-susceptible white girl like me is to get my sun in small doses and wear an SPF-15 lotion, maybe a little eco-bronzer for good measure.
I’ve been hearing some bad things in the organic grapevine about suntan lotion — like how synthetic UV filters don’t properly absorb the rays, not to mention all the lovely parabens that usually appear in the ingredients list — which sucks, because I get totally high on the smell of Hawaiian Tropic.
But I can’t just not wear any protection and lurk in the shadows all day. So I went poking around. And where better to poke, really, than Paris? I know, it’s not exactly local, but this Mary Cohr Pur Environnement brand sounds so great, and not just because the label is written en français (but I won’t lie, terms like bronzage lissant make me feel pretty special).
All their products are GMO-free, derived only from renewable plant species and of course not tested on animals, and the suntan lotions are entirely mineral-based, naturally protecting against the full UVA/UVB spectrum.
I got mine at this holistic spa/yoga studio/naturopath clinic/eco-boutique in Toronto, 889 Yonge, while under the influence of an Ayurvedic head massage. It wasn’t cheap, but I’ll mostly be using it on my face and décolletage, if you will. I might, however, invest in another cheaper natural brand like Lavera for when my pale ass is in the Middle East in the middle of July and I’m reapplying every seven minutes.
I always use lotion with SPF built into it. I really don’t like using sun screen on my face unless I go to the beach. My face gets all sticky and greasy looking. I am also in the process of greening my toiletries, but I don’t know if I can give up my face lotion (that means, I know that I won’t). Not until I find the perfect natural lotion, with a good texture, that will not leave my face looking like I work at McD’s with sun screen in it.
Yup, I’ll dream on!
I have found that most “natural” sunscreens are just aweful. I had a few too many bad experiences with them – they tend to be greasy and hard to absorb. I depise anything and everything greasy!!! I’m going to have to stick with my Neutrogena super absorbant spf 55!
Great post! I’ll probably blog something similar later. Cheap Suntan Lotion