Know your sunscreen. Earth friendly business investment opportunities.

It was autumn of 2018 and I vividly remember an office incident where a lady colleague of ours developed rashes on her arms and neck that was bothering her quite too much. Other colleague present there suggested she visit a dermatologist immediately before anything severe occurs. It was not long before, a day or two ago when a new retail brand store opened its door on the ground-floor of our office building. The products on display were all skincare and beauty care. The brand was offering huge discount margins on its opening day to rope in more non-luxury customers who can not afford to buy these high-end products on a regular price. The idea was to offer luxury products at affordable price to as many buyers possible, a know sales technique. 

It was here that I saw our lady colleague doing some purchase with her friends. Recalling this moment I inquired if she had purchased and applied any of those new products onto her skin. Her reply was an immediate Yes! Though it was none of my business to suggest further but being a nature-oriented person that I am, went ahead in requesting her to stop using these products immediately and let me know if the itching and rashes persisted. The next day she was gleaming with joy. 

Looking back at the further conversation I had with her, I remember mentioning to her that the product she bought was the kind used mostly by people living along coastal areas. We work in an air-conditioned environment where our skins don't perspire, unless we are out in the sun. That too, if the sun hot and air warm for a prolonged period, then the perspiration too doesn't take place. All the sediments from the product applied remains on the skin and seeps in without our knowledge. This is when disaster strikes, when we are back at work in a cooler surrounding. 

Foremost to buying sunscreen it is important to understand the skin type, purpose of using sunscreen i.e. for sunbathing, swimming pool, minimal travel in sun during office hours, among others. Apart from these it is also essential to consider the chemicals and ingredients used in making the particular sunscreen product. There are two modes of action that sunscreen performs: Absorbing ultraviolet radiation like a sponge would do to water, and these are chemical sunscreens. The other being Mineral sunscreens which contains titanium dioxide and zinc oxide which act as reflecting mirror on your skin surface and reflect the harmful ultraviolet radiation. 

Mineral sunscreen are as effective as chemical sunscreen, and a suggested alternative for people with sensitive skin conditions or eczema. These are also gentle to the marine life which brings us to the modern innovations in sunscreen technology due to past impact on coral and marine life from the associated chemicals in these beauty products. It must also be noted that nano particles of even titanium dioxide and zinc oxide can cause allergic reactions by entering your bloodstream. Weighing the pros and cons it is advisable to opt for the mineral based sunscreens considering not just your health but also your kindness towards environment. 

It is also suggested that you use sunscreen with SPF marked 50. The reason being that personal observations and statistical research has shown people applying less than the recommended amount. Most importantly users of sunscreen missed applying on common exposed areas like neck, ears and back. The disadvantage of chemical sunscreen over mineral is that the chemical sunscreen need to be applied at least fifteen to twenty minutes before exposure to the sun. 

Choosing environment friendly or ecofriendly sunscreen is the new luxury trend and also makes one nicer to the environment we inhabit. Whether on a holiday or a office trip, we all should do our bit for Planet Earth in making the right choice in protecting our environment. After all we do want to visit and enjoy the under water experience of corals and marine life, no? So we must assure their existence by not using something that's not eco friendly as much as we can before making a purchase decision. 

Some of the popular and respected brands in the sunscreen product line are Khadi Natural, MamaEarth, Organic Harvest, Organii, Tropic, Incognito, Biotique, Badger, Life Basics, Waiwai's Organics, Thinksport, Ao Organics Hawaii, Raw Elements, among others. Search for any of these or others that are kinder to our environment and planet and do not add to pollution, and a lot of them come in biodegradable packs. 

Let's just use with protection.

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Image: Gustavo Fring 

Note: The article contain the view and opinion of the writer only.

Info source: Some of the information are credited to Independent and Eco Warrior Princess websites.