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As a loyal customer of My Skin’s Friend, you know that we won’t offer a product unless we have done our homework and determined that we can make it more effective and more skin friendly than any of the competitors.  Our passion is helping people avoid chemicals by creating natural and organic products to help heal and protect our skin from environmental elements.

One of the products we’ve been improving during the winter months is a new and much improved organic sunscreen. As sunscreens go, our current one was one of the best. I used it personally on two recent trips to South America and was thrilled with the way it protected me against the hot tropical sun without the worry of that same solar heat and radiation simmering my skin in chemicals that were perhaps being marinated into my skin and blood stream.

As I watched mommies at the beach and pool slathering some of the popular brands of chemical soups onto their babies and then themselves, it made me sad because I knew that those mommies thought they were doing what was best for those sweet babies but I wondered if they were only trading one danger for another. 

Looking at the myrid of choices on the sunscreen section at the local Walgreens and Whole Foods, I saw that almost every one there had the same basic ingredients. These products typically include a combination of two to six of these active ingredients: oxybenzoneavobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate. The mineral based sunscreens use zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. But what exactly are these chemicals and what should you know before covering your body with them.

The table below outlines human exposure and toxicity information for nine FDA-approved sunscreen chemicals.  We asked these questions:

  • Will the chemical penetrate skin and reach living tissues?
  • Will it disrupt the hormone system? 
  • Can it affect the reproductive and thyroid systems and, in the case of fetal or childhood exposure, permanently alter reproductive development or behavior?
  • Can it cause a skin allergy?
  • What if it is inhaled?
  • Other toxicity concerns?

 Here’s what we found.

 

Chemical

EWG Hazard Score

Use in U.S. sunscreens

Skin Penetration

Hormone disruption

Skin Allergy

Other concerns

References

UV filters with higher toxicity concerns

Oxybenzone

8

Widespread

Detected in nearly every American; found in mother’s milk; 1-to-9% skin penetration in lab studies

Acts like estrogen in the body; alters sperm production in animals; associated with endometriosis in women

Relatively high rates of skin allergy

Janjua 2004, Janjua 2008, Sarveiya 2004, Gonzalez 2006, Rodriguez 2006, Krause 2012

Octinoxate (Octylmethoxycinnamate)

6

Widespread

Found in mothers’ milk; less than 1% skin penetration in human and laboratory studies

Hormone-like activity; reproductive system, thyroid and behavioral alterations in animal studies

Moderate rates of skin allergy

Krause 2012, Sarveiya 2004, Rodriguez, 2006, Klinubol 2008

UV filters with moderate toxicity concerns

Homosalate

4

Widespread

Found in mothers’ milk; skin penetration less than 1%  in human and laboratory studies

Disrupts estrogen, androgen and progesterone

Toxic breakdown products

Krause 2012, Sarveiya 2004, SCCNFP 2006

Octisalate

3

Widespread; stabilizes avobenzone

Skin penetration in lab studies

Rarely reported skin allergy

Walters 1997, Shaw 2006 Singh 2007

Octocrylene

3

Widespread

Found in mothers’ milk; skin penetration in lab studies

Relatively high rates of skin allergy

Krause 2012, Bryden 2006, Hayden 2005

UV filters with lower toxicity concerns

Titanium Dioxide

2 (topical use), 6 (powder or spray)

Widespread

No finding of skin penetration

No evidence of hormone disruption

None

Inhalation concerns

Gamer 2006, Nohynek 2007, Wu 2009, Sadrieh 2010, Takeda 2009, Shimizu 2009, Park 2009, IARC 2006b

Zinc Oxide

2 (topical use), 4 (powder or spray)

Widespread; excellent UVA protection

Less than 0.01% skin penetration in human volunteers

No evidence of hormone disruption

None

Inhalation concerns

Gulson 2012, Sayes 2007, Nohynek 2007, SCCS 2012

Avobenzone

2

Widespread; best UVA protection of chemical filters

Very limited skin penetration

No evidence of hormone disruption

Relatively high rates of skin allergy

Klinubol 2008, Bryden 2006, Hayden 2005, Montenegro 2008

Mexoryl SX

2

Uncommon; pending FDA approval; offers good, stable UVA protection

Less than 0.16% penetrated the skin of human volunteers

No evidence of hormone disruption

Skin allergy is rare

Benech-Kieffer 2003, Fourtanier2008

6 other ingredients approved in the U.S. are rarely used in sunscreens: benzophenone-4, benzophenone-8, menthyl anthranilate, PABA, Padimate O, and trolamine salicylate

 

Confused? Well, if you aren’t you’re probably a chemist or in another line of work that helps you parse this information into something you can use.

You'll notice that titanium dioxide is shown to be good too and from what we've been able to find,  it is indeed an excellent reflector of sunlight. So why didn't we put titanium dioxide in our formula? Because there are still concerns expressed by some agencies regarding the overall long term safety of titanium oxide. You can ready more about it in this article as it provides more insight into possible dangers using this property that is the primary ingredient in most paints to give it opacity. Is it safe? Maybe but we really don't know and as such, we elected to omit it from My Skin's Friend Sunscreen.

After months of research and experimenting with various recipes, we believe we've created one of the best, most skin friendly combination sunscreens and anti-oxidant combinations in the world!

Introducing My Skin’s Friend NEW AND IMPROVED Sunscreen with zinc oxide and sweet potato extract!

The first thing you’ll notice about this formula is that it contains NO titanium dioxide. Although it is known that titanium dioxide provides a broad spectrum sun dispersement, as mentioned above, there are some concerns that titanium may also be a carcinogen and we simply refuse to put anything in any of My Skin’s Friend products that are not completely free of such concerns.

The active ingredient is zinc oxide. The next thing you’ll notice is that unlike so many sunscreens with zinc oxide as its main UV blocker is how quickly it disappears onto the skin.   Unlike our original formula, this new creation is made from a smaller particle zinc oxide (but NOT nano sized) so it doesn’t leave your skin with that white film.

But this formula also includes an ingredient that is found in no other sunscreen of any price in the world. We’ve added our purple sweet potato extract to this formula like that found in our very popular sweet potato lotion. Here’s why.

As the skin is exposed to the sun’s UV rays, the zinc oxide reflects it back, thus protecting the skin just as an umbrella does. But just like the umbrella, there are always some UV rays that make it to the skin. That’s why all sunscreens, including ours, must be reapplied every hour or so depending on the activity you are engaged in, in order to cover any areas that might be letting UV rays through due to perspiration, swimming, etc.

When the UV rays do hit the skin, it produces free radicals. These free radicals are what causes the skin to burn and look damaged.  While the zinc oxide based sunscreen is shielding the skin, the sweet potato extract which is super rich in anti-oxidants is actually repairing the skin by helping neutralize free radicals being produced by the sun’s exposure.  My Skin’s Friend double action is the only one of its kind in the world as far as we know.

Whether you’re going to be spending time at the pool, beach, back yard, cycling, walking, well, you get the idea, anywhere in the outdoors, you need to make sure your skin is protected from UV rays and with My Skin’s Friend Sunscreen with sweet potato extract and zinc oxide, you can be confident you’re skin is getting the maximum protection it needs without any chemicals, alcohols, parabens or anything else that isn’t as natural as you are.

So get ready for summer and keep those babies protected naturally and organically with the help of My Skin’s Friend NEW & Improved Sunscreen.

 

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Recent Post

...Organic Sunless Tanner

 

Stopping here first was a good call.

We used to enclose a printed version of this booklet with our tanner but we continually get suggestions and recommendations from the hundreds of customers who love this tanner so we decided to convert it to a more dynamic forum so you always have the latest information for getting the perfect tan.

One you learn these simple secrets, you can keep that sexy, natural looking tan all year long while you're also pampering your skin.

You'll get more than just a tan.

My Skin's Friend Sunless Tanner is on of the very few liposomal tanners on the market. It actually helps moisturize your skin as well as tanning it so it's like getting two products for the price of one.

These simple secrets will guarantee an even, natural looking tan
Getting an even, natural looking tan shouldn't be difficult yet we hear from customers who have tried so many sunless tanners on the market only to be disappointed in the look of their tan. 
We set out to make the best organic tanner on the market and from the emails and customer reviews we get, looks like we've accomplished it.
If you don't get the perfect tan, let us help
Sure, we occasionally get a customer feedback that says they got streaks or some uneven spots but even then, we work with them to help correct those issues and start over. Without exception, the outcome is positive so I urge you to write to us if you experience anything but a perfect tan and let us help.
Getting an even, natural looking tan is definitely possible without covering your body with chemicals, baking in a tanning bed or enduring the funky smell most tanners leave you with.
If you follow these simple steps, you too will be sporting a tan so natural looking that your friends will ask you where you just vacationed!
First things first. 
My Skin's Friend SUnless Tanner

 

Don't rush the process o.k.?

You want a natural looking tan, not a cheap paint job right? Just like getting a real sun tan, it takes a little time and patience but the outcome will be well worth it.
My Skin's Friend doesn't tan you, it causes your body to tan itself. In fact, when you spray it on, you won't see any color because there isn't any in it. That's why it doesn't look fake like a lot of others but there are "secrets" to getting the best, most natural looking tan with it.

Before you spray, make sure your skin is clean and exfoliated.

Use a regular wash cloth, loofah or anything else you might already like to exfoliate with. I discovered this helps speed up the process because it starts with new, fresh skin cells, not the old dead ones. Don't scrub so hard that you cause an abrasion. Just a nice firm scrub.

Exfoliate before using My Skin's Friend sunless tanner
There are two reasons for this.
  1. One, the organic tanner interacts with your skin to create the tanning process so the more fresh, clean skin it can contact (without oils or creams between) the faster, deeper and more even your tan will be.
  2. Secondly, dead skin cells tend to get darker than fresh cells and may cause some spotting so your outcome will be much more even once you properly clean and exfoliate your skin.
 
My Skin's Friend sunless tanner prep

When your done, dry off and go to the next step.

I put plastic grocery store bags on my feet from the ankle down to keep the tops of my feet from getting tan from the falling mist.
    Some customers have told me that they apply a thin layer of cocoa butter or other natural lotion like MSF Sweet Potato, Melon Fresh or Honey & Aloe to theirs.
    My Skin's Friend sunless tanner prep
    They also apply to elbows and knees because those areas tend to get darker faster and the lotion acts to help avoid that.


      O.k. with those bases covered, it's time to apply the spray.

      It is much easier if you have a friend who can spray you but almost all of our customers report they spray it on themselves with little problem. It might take a little practice to perfect it but it's done every day.

      My Skin's Friend organic sunless tanner application

      I apply it to myself most of the time but when I can get my husband to do it, it is easier to maintain a more even coverage.

      VERY IMPORTANT. The main cause of streaks or runs is OVER SPRAYING.

      Because My Skin's Friend sunless tanner is clear (no colorants or staining chemicals), it is hard to tell where you've sprayed.

      For this reason, it is important to plan to cover in a methodical way to make sure you don't over spray and get runs or streaks.

       

       

      1. Do right leg, left leg to thigh front.
      2. Right arm, left arm front and sides.
      3. Abdomen front (pubic bone to under neck unless you want au natural all over tan).
      4. Then back from hairline to butt. Then back of left leg, back of right leg.  

      If you have someone applying the spray to you, have them hold the bottle about a foot from your body and spray evenly from side to side, making sure to get an even coat. Applying too much each time will cause runs and you don't want that or you'll have streaks. Just a very light coat works like magic.

      RUN REPAIR TIP!

      If you see a run or large droplets during or after spraying, don't panic. It can be fixed before the streak shows up.

      Once you've finished your third and final application for that day, simply let the last coat dry a few minutes and then apply an organic lotion to the entire area to blend the overspray into the rest of the area. In almost all cases, this will completely eliminate any spots or streaks and you'll wake up with a very nice, even, natural looking tan.

      Over spray also happens because you will swear you're not getting enough on you but I assure you that you are. We chose the very fine mister pump to make sure you get a very light application each time to prevent runs or streaks.

      When one coat dries (which is very quick and can be accelerated with a blow dryer set to cool), apply the next one until you've sprayed three consecutive coats in one treatment.  I know you won't feel like anything is happening but trust me, it is.

      Once the third coat is dry, you're ready to get dressed. My Skin's Friend tanner won't color hair or clothes so don't worry about having to cover your hair or having it rub off on your clothes or bed linens.

      Cover your whole body or the areas you want tan with that first coat and wait 3 minutes or so for it to dry. One of the things people love about it is that it dries very fast.

      Repeat this process no more than three days straight.

      Once you've done if for three days, STOP and wait for 48 hours for your tan to “mature” and show you the final shade. If you want to be darker, simply continue to apply it as above until you reach your ideal shade. Once that happens, you can usually maintain your tan with a once or twice a week application. Remember, you won't see the final results for 48 hours
      after the final coat.

      That's it! That's all you need to have a cool looking tan. And when people ask where you got your beautiful tan, tell 'em Tahiti!

      If you have any problems, questions or tips you'd like to share with us and your fellow tanners, please contact us at support@myskinsfriend.com. We love hearing from our customers and always appreciate tips you've learned to help get the best looking organic tan under the sun.

      Want to share what you've learned? Click here to send a link to this page to your friends!

      Now, go show off that beautiful tan of yours!  

      My Skin's Friend Organic tanner

      Thank you for being My Skin's Friend.

      .

       

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