Spruce's Natural Sun Care Guide

by Shelby Clary June 21, 2023 3 min read

At Spruce we are in full support of a circadian rhythm of living, which includes welcoming solar rays into our skin and bodies, which in turn provides us energy and Vitamin D. We are meant to soak up the sun (we still love that Sheryl Crow song!), and here are a few friendly reminders on how to do so safely.

Allowing your skin to soak up to 30 minutes of solar rays and energy without SPF is okay! The best time to do this is early morning or later in the evening. Often the sun's rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. during its peak hours (this is when the sun is at its highest in the sky). The main reason to consider this approach is because sunburns significantly increase the lifetime risk of developing skin damage or skin cancer - if you plan to be outside for more than 30 minutes then SPF is a must! We also encourage wearing hats to protect your face and covering yourself with comfortable loose fitting sun clothing. If your skin begins to turn red or pink, don’t apply more sunscreen, it's time to find shade and rehydrate!

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Now let's talk about SPF⤵️

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Why do we need sunscreen?

Reduce your risk of skin cancer.
Prevent skin discoloration.
Reduce the risk of sunburn.
To protect us from UVA/UVB rays.

What is the difference between UVA and UVB?

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UVA - Aging rays that penetrate glass and clouds and are always present. This is why we suggest wearing sunscreen everyday, rain or shine.

UVB - Burning rays which penetrate to the epidermis cause redness and itching, damage DNA and are linked to squamous and basal cell carcinomas. At their peak UVB rays reflect off shiny surfaces, making snow, sand and water excellent sunburn accelerators.

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How do I choose the right sunscreen?☀️

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Choosing a sunscreen product can be overwhelming with all of the different options available. One of the most important things to look for when choosing products is the level of SPF. Keep in mind an SPF of 30 or higher will ensure that your skin is fully protected, even on cloudy days. And remember to always reapply sunscreen after swimming or using a towel.

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Here are the Spruce approved ingredients and certifications for safe and nontoxic SPF -

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Spruce approved products include result driven, clean ingredients, with a high standard of efficacy and purity. Our SPF checklist includes non nano zinc, broad spectrum, reef safe and cruelty free. Non nano means it is larger than 100nm and therefore will not penetrate your skin! This is the safest option of UV filter for human health. It's a raw earth mineral which also can be very healing to the skin. Broad spectrum is a must because it offers more protection from UVA AND UVB rays. All SPF options offered at Spruce cover these ingredients and certifications! Shop our Spf options here.

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The safest path when purchasing a SPF is to simply avoid sunscreen with the following chemicals -

Oxybenzone & Avobenzone - known to cause allergies, disrupt hormonal balance and has been linked to coral bleaching.
Homosalate - It may increase the absorption of other toxic chemicals found in sunscreens.
Retinyl Palmitate - A form of vitamin A used because it is believed to slow skin aging however, when exposed to sunlight has been shown to increase skin cancer risk. *products containing Retinol are only to be used in your nighttime routine.*
Dioxybenzone - Has been found to negatively impact coral reefs and marine life.
Octinoxate - Is known carcinogen.
Octocrylene - Can be toxic for reproductive health. It can also be a serious metabolic and endocrine disruptor for humans.
Parabens, Silicones and Fragrance - Found in many sunscreens, skincare and bodycare products. Have been shown to have harmful health effects.

SPF recommendations you can shop at Spruce -

July Sky C-Shells SPF 30 - Its lightweight, serum-like texture ensures minimal white cast and no greasiness. It applies like a dream and is great under makeup. 
Unsun Mineral Tinted Face Sunscreen SPF 30 - This sunscreen was formulated to cover a range of skin tones from very light to light sprinkled with freckles without leaving behind a ghostly residue. Comes in two shades; light/medium and medium/dark.
Salt & Stone Light Sheer Daily SPF 40 - 100% mineral, oil-free, sheer facial sunscreen moisturizer that also protects from blue light.
Salt & Stone Sunscreen Stick SPF 30 - Glides on smoothly, sinks in quickly, is water-resistant (so it’s great for all of life’s more active moments), and doesn’t leave any white residue. Plus, it’s reef-safe, too!
Eminence Sun Defense Minerals Powder SPF 30 - These hypoallergenic, non-congesting natural minerals provide water-resistant and genderless SPF 30 sun protection.