Badger SPF 30 Unscented Sunscreen, 2.9 fl oz

Badger Sunscreen

Badger’s SPF 30 Unscented Natural Sunscreen is a broad spectrum sunscreen that effectively blocks UVA and UVB rays, both of which are implicated in skin cancer. It is one of only a small number of sunscreens to receive top ratings for safety & efficacy from the independent Environmental Working Group in its 2010 Sunscreen Guide. The active ingredient, the mineral zinc oxide, is suspended in an ultra-moisturizing balm base made from certified organic pure plant oils & beeswax. Contains no chemical sunscreens or titanium dioxide. Advantages of this high-performance sunscreen include:

• Water resistant
• Won't run and drip into your eyes when you sweat
• Starts working as soon as you put it on
• Allows your skin to breathe
• Strong and effective enough to protect you from extreme conditions
• Has no irritating ingredients
• Safe for the environment

Active ingredient: Zinc Oxide 20.5%

Other ingredients, all certified organic: Olea Europaea (Extra Virgin Olive Oil), Cera Alba (Beeswax), Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) oil, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Oil, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, and CO2 extracts of Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) and Hippophae Rhamnoides (Seabuckthorn Berry).

Sunscreens have become a hot topic (pun intended!), with recent research suggesting that some sunscreens actually help to cause skin cancer rather than prevent it. We’re thrilled to be able to offer one of the best & safest sunscreens available today – Badger SPF 30 Unscented Sunscreen. Of some 500 sunscreens evaluated by the independent Environmental Working Group, only 8% (39 sunscreens) were recommended by EWG researchers. With its score of 1, Badger SPF 30 was at the top of the list! Badger is also first on the list of sunscreens recommended on SafeMama.com’s 2010 Safer Sunscreen Cheat Sheet.

Understanding UV (ultraviolet) radiation

UV radiation is divided into three wavelength bands: UVA, UVB and UVC. UVA and UVB are the two that reach the Earth’s surface, and physical barrier sunscreens like Badger effectively block both.

• UVB rays are the ones that cause sunburn and are considered a main cause of basal and squamous cell skin cancers, as well as a factor in melanoma, a particularly dangerous form of skin cancer. UVB rays have different strengths depending on the sun’s location, and can be lessened when deflected by clouds. SPF refers to a sunscreen’s ability to protect skin from UVB rays.
• UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin than UVB rays. They don’t cause surface burning but do have the potential to release free radicals and may cause melanoma, a particularly dangerous form of skin cancer. UVA rays are also implicated in skin damage including wrinkles and leathery texture. UVA rays are the same strength year-round. SPF ratings do not address a sunscreen’s ability to protect against damaging UVA rays.

Understanding SPF:

SPF, or Sun Protection Factor, is a measurement of how well a sunscreen will protect skin from UVB rays, which cause sunburn and are believed to cause some forms of skin cancer. If your skin would normally burn after 10 minutes in the sun, applying an SPF 15 sunscreen would allow you to stay in the sun without burning for approximately 150 minutes (a factor of 15 times longer). This is a rough estimate, depending on skin type, intensity of sunlight & type of activity. SPF 30 blocks an additional 5% of UVB radiation compared with SPF 15.

What makes Badger better?

Badger sunscreen is a physical barrier sunscreen instead of a chemical sunscreen. That means it forms a layer on top of the skin that reflects or scatters UV (ultraviolet) light of all wavelengths (UVA & UVB). Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, work by absorbing UV rays before they can do damage. Usually, single chemical ingredients protect against either UVA or UVB, but not both. So to achieve broad-spectrum protection against UVA & UVB rays, a chemical sunscreen needs multiple chemicals. Chemical sunscreens are absorbed into the skin and are more likely to cause irritations, allergies or other health concerns.

The active ingredient in Badger is zinc oxide, which has been used for hundreds of years and is widely considered the safest and most protective sunscreening ingredient. The zinc oxide Badger uses is micronized, meaning it doesn’t leave the same intense white residue on the skin that non-micronized zinc oxide does. (Anybody else remember a childhood of neon-white noses? Badger also uses a larger particle size than other sunscreens, allowing the zinc oxide to remain on the skin’s surface rather than enter the body. To read more about zinc oxide, particle size and health, check out Badger’s extensive information.

Badger is a high-performance sunscreen free from petrochemicals, synthetic fragrances, preservatives, chemical emulsifiers and dyes. It’s water resistant for at least 40 minutes, and is safe for coral reefs and the environment.

Badger is a family-run, family-friendly business located on the banks of the Ashuelot River in rural Gilsum, New Hampshire, USA. Bill, Katie and daughters Mia, Emily and Rebecca started the business back in 1995, in the kitchen of their home. This is another company that shares our philosophies and culture.