BASE LAYER | Sunscreen


I'm super excited to bring in a new category to Tomboy Style called Base Layer. Base Layer will look at the beauty and wellness industry through a utilitarian lens and a tomboy sensibility. I've only ever been able to tread water (if that) when it comes to beauty and health products—to be totally honest, my ultimate unhappy place might be a cosmetics counter at a big department store. There's just so much over-packaged junk and so much of it is terrible for you. Luckily, Kristi Head, an entrepreneur, packaging designer, product-maker and artist, is helping me navigate the ever-expanding ocean of beauty products. I first met Kristi when I was covering Lurk perfume oils—and we immediately bonded over our mutual hatred of overly fragrant perfume. Now she creates natural and biodegradable Lite+Cycle candles (sold at NK Shop and Steven Alan to name a few stockists). While running in Griffith Park together the other day I asked for her take on sunscreen, and the idea for Base Layer was born. Base Layer will focus on products and methods that apply to the greater beauty and wellness world that are non-toxic, effective, simple, and beautiful. The first in the series is one of the most important of all base layers: sunscreen.

GO OUTSIDE
by Kristi Head

It’s Summer. Go outside. Take in the sun and Vitamin D. Block out the harmful UVs. Here's how:


ROW I: Everyday Facial Sunscreens

1.ORGANIC OPTION: John Masters Organics Natural Mineral SPF 30 ($32). Protects against harmful UVA+UVB rays with no nano-particles. Reef friendly and biodegrable. Contains green tea extract and moisturizes with shea butter and jojoba oil.

2. DERMATOLOGIST LOVED: La Roche-Posay Anthelios SPF 40 Sunscreen Cream ($28) [update: SPF 60 is pictured, but not recommended]. This one appears on the shelves at highly regarded dermatologist offices. It's very light weight, with a slightly greasy application, but soaks into the skin fast and is very effective. 

3. CHEAP AND EASY: Elemental Herbs Sunstick ($8). Excellent protection with very low health concerns. It's chemical free, unscented, goes on clear and is ultra moisturizing (full of natural oils and butters). Apply on face and lips. Great for on-the-go SPFing. 

ROW II: Sporty Sunscreens

1. ORGANIC OPTION: Juice Beauty SPF 30 Sport Moisturizer ($16). With a 20% blend of zinc oxide, this is a little thick on application, but with a slight tint and blend of rich organic jojoba you never have that white residue. Plus, the added essential oils make for a bright and appealing scent. Water resistant, chemical free and made especially for an active outdoor lifestyle.

2. SURFER SPF: Headhunter Warpaint ($5-$10). Designed to meet the rigorous demands of surfers and tested on the waves around the world. And because Spicoli said so. 

3. ALL-PURPOSE EVERYWHERE: Kiss My Face Natural Mineral Sunscreen with Hydresia, SPF 40 ($13). This is always an widely accessible natural option. And the Hydresia? That's little capsules of oil from safflower seeds that collapse at varying rates on the skin (i.e. ultra moisturizing).


If you want to geek out even more on natural sunscreen check out these sunscreen no-nos from The Environmental Working Group. 
We'd also love to hear any of your recommendations! 

Comments

Joy said…
Neat idea! Love this pos so far.
Ambro said…
Devita Solar Body Block spf 30. Put it on your face too. Ze best. It is light, effective, inexpensive, no junk ingredients, and uses well blended zinc instead of the chemical stuff.
Katie said…
I use California Baby and although it can make you look a little white, if you rub it in well it is fine. Works really well though! It is the only one I've found that uses titanium dioxide instead of zinc oxide, which I seem to have an allergy to b/c I get a rash on my neck when I use it.
Barbara said…
One of my favorite places for natural, organic cosmetic options is Beautorium.com. Good selection of beauty products that don't contain parabens, phthalates, SLS, etc.
Anonymous said…
I swear by the handcrafted small batch line Fig + Yarrow. Amazing products, plus owner Brandy is a fine example of tomboy meets elegance.
Unknown said…
hi,

Your La Rouche recommendation is actually on the no-no list from the environmental working group...it shows it has Oxybenzone which penetrates the skin, gets into the bloodstream and acts like estrogen in the body. It can also trigger allergic reactions. Data is preliminary, but studies have found a link between higher concentrations of oxybenzone and health harms. I use Coola sunscreens, all organic, sticks well to skin and smells very yummy and lite.
alfa foxtrot said…
great new feature! excited to see other beauty/wellness posts. i use coola too, no clogging ingredients so good for those with acne-prone skin
positdesign said…
I love le roche posay: I use their hydrophase UV (30 spf) as my primary daytime facial moisturizer, and the anthelios for body. Since moving to San Francisco from Cambridge, I've slid sunscreen into my morning routine right after brushing my teeth and just before deodorant: it's that basic!

Anonymous said…
Love the Base Layer initiative, and sunscreens are a very goog start B-)
However, it seems that the La Roche Posay on your list is the same one mentioned in the no-no-list you link to?
all the best -Kristina
Alexis said…
This is such a good idea! As a tomboy who also loves beauty products, I tend to spend a lot more time and money on non-makeup beauty products. Serums, after-sun products, eye creams, anything that will make my skin look fresh without having to wear makeup. You could also do how-tos for iconic tomboy looks...
Anonymous said…
Whoo, excited for this new series! And thanks for the sunscreen suggestions!
Buckaroo Barbie said…
I'm so excited that you're going to start covering beauty products and that the first posting is on sunscreen!! Thank you so much! :)
Lizzie said…
In regards to the concerns about La Rouche: I'll let Kristi respond in more depth, but basically there is a spectrum from zero sun exposure to laying out for hours with baby oil on, and we're trying to give options for the best protection with the least harm. Some are "more pure" than others and some people have specific concerns about specific ingredients which is why we linked to the EWG website. Hope that makes sense and Kristi will respond as well. Thanks for all the feedback!
yha said…
Fantastic idea, I love Base Layer. I have always wanted someone to recommend makeup for people who don't like makeup or makeup counters.
Lizzie said…
Also in regards to La Rouche/oxybenzone: There was a recent NYT article on the subject and they said:

"The Environmental Working Group recommends avoiding products with oxybenzone, a chemical that may disrupt hormones. Though research has found this effect, many scientists say the effect is so weak as to be insignificant."

Link to the article:

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/27/the-new-rules-for-sunscreen/

kh said…
Hey everyone! ** RETRACTION ALERT!!
Thanks for all the feedback on the LA ROUCHE product. GOOD CATCH. The product recommended was meant to be: La Roche-Posay Anthelios 40 Sunscreen Cream, SPF 40 (the link . Listed on EWG as a #2 and moderate health risk. Link and info being updated. You can view the product and EWG's summary here:
http://www.ewg.org/2013sunscreen/about-the-sunscreens/496668/La_Roche-Posay_Anthelios_40_Sunscreen_Cream%2C_SPF_40/
Although it is not a high-risk product it certainly is not for the PURIST! Great to know you are all so aware and thanks so much for the feedback. And great catch! - Kristi

kh said…
And yes, Lizzie, awesome, all those points are totally spot on. The SPF 40 also does contain a trace amount of oxybenzone so it is in fact not the best option for the Purist :-) Kristi
Ann Melville said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said…
Thanks Kristi! Sunscreen = youth screen. Check out this New York Times article:
http://nyti.ms/12q2ZGB
Bianca said…
I think Josie Maran's Argan daily moisturizer (SPF40) with argan oil has been heavenly to ues, even on NYC's hottest days. After a couple months of daily use, the entire texture of my skin has improved, and I have highly sensitive, horribly acne-prone skin.
Giulia said…
Kiss My Face Face Factor sunscreen is honestly the best face sunscreen I've ever used. It's actually my moisturizer in the summer! It's not available in Canada (where I live) so whenever I make trips to the States I pick up a few bottles. Definitely recommended!
Eliza said…
There's a really beautiful Australian brand (I might be bias - I used to work for them) but they have really nice skin care products including a daily sunscreen http://www.aesop.com/au/?show_banner=1
Anonymous said…
where is the amazing shisheido sunscreen!!???

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