7 May 2024
Breaking the Stigma Around Menstrual Health + tips for more sustainable menstrual products
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Finally, we can once again enjoy warmer temperatures and wonderful rays of sunshine in Belgium and the Netherlands! A big portion of vitamin D is always good, but unfortunately not without risk. Before you know it, you’ll end up with sunburned skin after a fun day at the beach and this is very harmful to the skin. Protecting your skin against the sun with a good, more natural sunscreen is absolutely necessary! Make sure that your sunscreen doesn’t contain (micro)plastics, but does have a good UV filter that ensures that your skin doesn’t burn and ages less quickly.
Why should you choose a natural sunscreen?
You can find sunscreen products everywhere, but unfortunately not all options are environmentally friendly. Products with a chemical UV filter contain substances that damage the coral reefs in the oceans. Because just like other skincare products, sunscreen can also contain harmful chemicals. When you buy sunscreen, be sure to avoid perfume and parabens. These can cause irritated skin and you naturally want to avoid that!
In addition, oxybenzone and octinoxate are also commonly used substances in sunscreens. These absorb UV and are therefore often used by manufacturers to prevent UV degradation. These substances are known hormone disruptors and are therefore not healthy to apply to your skin. They also end up in the seas and oceans when people apply sunscreen before swimming. Research shows that these substances, in addition to unsustainable fishing and other pollution, damage coral reefs in the oceans.
Do you want to protect not only your skin, but also the environment? Then shop at the more sustainable stores below and choose a more natural sunscreen!
Plastic-free sunscreen stick with cardboard packaging
Are you looking for a sunscreen that is easy to take with you, does not leak in your bag and is plastic-free? Then a sunscreen stick is the perfect option for you! For example, from the Dutch brand We love the planet, available at Blabloom in Genk, Kudzu in Bruges and KNAP in Hasselt. This sunscreen stick comes in a cardboard tube and is therefore also suitable for a zero-waste lifestyle. The sunscreen stick is made from more natural and plant-based ingredients such as rapeseed oil, coconut oil and cornstarch powder with natural UV filters (zinc oxide and titanium oxide). Richly apply the stick before sunbathing and spread it well. The cream is water-repellent, but swimming or sweating can reduce the protection.
Or choose a sunscreen stick from the Dutch brand Happy Soaps and take a look at the plastic-free sunscreen sticks from Attitude, both available at Kudzu in Bruges.
Vegan sunscreen
Looking for a vegan sunscreen? The Dutch brand The Lekker Company has cruelty-free and vegan sunscreen. The Lekker Company is passionate about effective skin care made from simple ingredients. For example, they use zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which are mineral-based, more natural ingredients that support skin healing and combat acne. They also list the ingredients in ‘easy to understand language’ for all their products. In addition, the sunscreen has plastic-free packaging made from recycled paper.
For this vegan and ocean-friendly sunscreen, visit VEGA-LIFE in Amsterdam and Blabloom in Genk.
This mineral sunscreen is vegan, ocean-friendly and perfume-free
With mineral sun filters by Ray protect your skin against harmful UV rays (UVA + UVB), which not only prevents skin burns, but also reduces pigment spots, skin aging and the risk of skin cancer. The great thing is that this sunscreen is also vegan and doesn’t contain nanoparticles, so it is not harmful to the ocean. In addition, this sunscreen lubricates well, isn’t sticky, doesn’t leave a white wash and is perfume-free.
The Ghent brand Ray is available at SOFlien in Essen, Blabloom in Genk, all Supergoods stores and The Soul Store in Oostkamp.
Mineral sunscreen in a plastic-free packaging
Are you dreaming of sunny days on a Spanish beach? The sun cream by Sol De Ibiza immediately puts you in a wonderful holiday mood! These mineral sunscreens consist exclusively of perfume-free, vegan and more natural ingredients. And they also come in plastic-free packaging! Discover the easy to use sun stick in cardboard packaging or opt for an aluminum can. The coconut and sweet almond oil nourish the skin, marigold extract soothes and aloe vera juice maintains the moisture balance.
Sol de Ibiza’s plastic-free mineral sunscreen is available from The Plastic Free Co. and KNAP in Hasselt.
Protective sun cream with anti-aging
Do you want to protect your skin from the sun in a more natural way and at the same time keep your skin healthy and radiant? The brand Likami offers a mineral sunscreen formula that is free from harmful chemicals and doesn’t harm the oceans and reefs as it does not contain nanoparticles. In addition, it has an anti-aging effect, anti-inflammatory effect and is anti-pigmentation, making your skin extra healthy and radiant.
You can buy sunscreen by Likami at Blabloom in Genk, The Soul Store in Oostkamp and KNAP in Hasselt.
More natural sunscreen for sensitive skin
The sunscreen from the Dutch brand Naïf has more natural, mineral UV filters based on zinc oxide (non-nano). The sunscreen is suitable for the most sensitive skin and can be used by both kids and adults. The tubes are also made from sugar cane, which saves approximately 55 grams of CO2 compared to a normal plastic tube.
You can buy Naïf’s more natural sunscreen at SOFlien in Essen, Blabloom in Genk, K‑deetje in Oostkamp, Gäststore in Bruges, Zonnehoed in Zwalm and Scharrelvos in Antwerp.
Nourishing sunscreen with natural oils
Are you looking for a good sunscreen that protects your skin ánd cares for it at the same time? The sunscreen from the Dutch brand Loveli contains nourishing argan oil, avocado oil and macadamia oil. The cream protects against both UVA (skin aging) and UVB (burn) and consists of more natural ingredients.
Loveli’s nourishing and more natural sunscreen can be found in the stores of LOYA in Breda and Brandmission in Amsterdam.
Gentle sunscreen for under your make-up
Are you looking for a soft lotion that spreads easily, is not sticky and is easy to use under your makeup? At Clothilde in Aalst you’ll find sun cream from the Belgian brand Skin By Dings. You can use the product as the last step in your skincare routine, so that your skin is well protected against the sun. Then apply your makeup as usual.
Sunscreen for the little ones
The mineral sun cream and lotion from the ‘baby and child’ collection of the Swiss brand Weleda is suitable for kids. But they also have sunscreen for adults. Since the cream needs some time to be absorbed into the skin, you can clearly see where you have already applied it and where you haven’t yet. Ideal for that toddler who suddenly wants to do everything himself and who would otherwise not accept it if you forgot a piece of skin. Recognizable?
The mineral sunscreen by Weleda is available at De Groene Passage in Rotterdam, Kudzu in Bruges and SOFlien in Essen.
Nourishing sunscreen in biodegradable packaging
Looking for a sunscreen that not only protects, but also nourishes the skin? The sunscreen from the Dutch brand Laouta is made from more natural, locally produced ingredients from Greece, based on traditional Mediterranean recipes. Ingredients such as extra virgin olive oil, prickly pear cactus and wild plant and herbal extracts form the basis for a nourishing sunscreen that both hydrates and protects the skin.
The sunscreens by Laouta are available at Het Faire Oosten in Amsterdam.
Sun cream with a tint
Looking for a tinted sunscreen that not only protects your skin against the sun, but also gives your skin a natural, even coloured shade like foundation does? Then try Alga Maris, the sun cream from Laboratoires de Biarritz. At Druantia in Lier and The Soul Store in Oostkamp they offer a wide collection of tinted, mineral sunscreens from Alga Maris for different skin types. The great thing is that the cream is quickly absorbed into the skin, is not sticky and does not leave a white cast. Alga Maris products don’t harm the ocean, are rich in antioxidants and come in recycled plastic packaging.
