Comments on: Plastic-Free Sunscreen that Passes the Burning Man Test

By: Cristina12

Cristina12 — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 19:24:57 +0000

As someone with fair skin that burns within just a few minutes, I’ve used heavy duty sunscreen in plastic tubes for years. And even after going plastic-free, I’ve found sunscreen to be a challenge. I blogged about sun protection a while back and got some great suggestions from you guys. And this year, I discovered a couple of companies making all natural, non-toxic, plastic-free (or nearly plastic-free) sunscreen. I even saw a demonstration on how to make your own! And what better place to test out various sun protection methods than the hot, dry playa at Burning Man.

By: android inside1

android inside1 — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 04:06:33 +0000

That’s so brave that you tried a new sunscreen in the desert, I will have to make some from your friend’s recipe. I also have very fair skin and know the consequences of too much sun (including a big scar on my head from a removed benign cancer). I like how you also discussed shade and covering up.
http://arganoilforhairs.com/

By: venomz

venomz — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 04:04:11 +0000

Wow, great to see plastic-free sunscreens! The Balm looks nice… but it looks home-made and the fact that it has 35% zinc oxide [when the maximum allowed in the US is 25%] is troubling. I wonder if it was actually SFP tested? Probably not, since I heard orange essential oil actually makes you more sun sensitive.http://arganoilforhairs.com/

By: TrevStainberg

TrevStainberg — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 11:53:28 +0000

Great and wonderful pictures too! :)

By: Lisa

Lisa — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 20:32:36 +0000

heard you on KPFA–love your work! did you know that topical Vitamin C serves as an excellent sunscreen alternative. i’ve been using it for 10 years and never burn. see my writeup, complete with links to peer reviewed studies demonstrating efficacy:
http://wellnessally.net/the-safe-and-skin-nourishing-sunscreen-alternative

By: Lisa

Lisa — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 20:27:02 +0000

heard you on KPFA–love your work! you may be interested to know that topical Vitamin C is a fantastic alternative to sunscreen. check out my article on this–complete with links to peer reviewed studies demonstrating efficacy.
http://wellnessally.net/the-safe-and-skin-nourishing-sunscreen-alternative

By: Ina

Ina — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 10:24:42 +0000

PLAYA-LUJAH! I ducked into Play)a(skool to get out of the dust storm and a women was starting a class on homemade sunscreen. Awesome! I’ve been wanting to learn. I had a great time. I left without getting her card. I thought she was lost to the ethers. Up with insomnia & looking at ocean garbage art… lol ! that led me down the web’s rabbit hole and here I am. PLAYA-LUJAH! So glad you did this post because now I found your friend Tracey and my new recipe for natural deodorant. I’m so excited! ~Ina aka The Herbal Contessa

By: BethTerry

BethTerry — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 02:00:15 +0000

And by the way, I need to give credit to green writer Danika Carter for helping me find this information.

By: BethTerry

BethTerry — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 01:58:37 +0000

Hi. I looked up the active ingredient in Super Salve, octyl methoxycinnamate, and according to the Environmental Working Group, it is one of the sunscreen chemicals of highest concern, having multiple endocrine disrupting effects. http://breakingnews.ewg.org/2012sunscreen/sunscreens-exposed/nanomaterials-and-hormone-disruptors-in-sunscreens/I haven’t looked at the studies directly, but I would stick with products containing non-nano zinc as the active sunscreen ingredient.My latest conversation: http://myplasticfreelife.com/2012/09/new-freezycup-stainless-steel-popsicle-molds-use-less-space-in-the-freezer/

By: guest

guest — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 21:57:43 +0000

Super Salve from New Mexico also makes an herbal sunscreen, which is available in tins (and some, sadly, in plastic):

http://www.supersalve.com/salves2.html

Contains:
Olive oil, beeswax, active sunblock ingredients (organic comfrey leaf oil, African shea butter, jojoba oil, (5% octylmethoxycinnamate, from cinnamon or cassia oil), cocoa butter, sweet almond oil, vitamin E oil, essential oils of lemon grass and citrus.