4 Reasons To Opt For An Organic Sunscreen — And Why You Should Wear It All Year Long

Whether you're spending the day sprawled out by the pool or simply venturing out for an afternoon stroll, sunscreen is important for any and all outdoor adventures, regardless of temperature or cloud cover. In certain situations, sun protection should also be worn inside—but more on that later. As a crucial part of your skin care routine, quality is key. Not all sunscreen is created equal and choosing an organic formula, like COOLA, is essential to maintaining healthy, nourished skin. But let's dive into this topic a little further…

For these reasons, SPF is important in almost any situation. And for even further protection, COOLA's BlueScreen™ Digital De-Stress™ technology—used in their Sun Silk Drops, Refreshing Water Cream, and Dew Good Illuminating Serum—helps to mitigate the effects of High Energy Visible Light (including blue light from digital devices), as well as infrared light and pollution. 

While we always try to be mindful of the products we put into and onto our bodies, quality is of the utmost importance when you're using a product every single day. So when it comes to sunscreen, we turn to healthy brands, like COOLA, which creates each of their formulas with over 70% certified organic ingredients. Here's why we prefer organic:

The ingredients in certified organic sunscreens are derived from plants that were grown without the use of pesticides, herbicides, synthetic fertilizers, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and other additives or chemicals. And COOLA, in particular, follows a strict restricted ingredient list that goes beyond industry standards to exclude over 1,000-plus unwanted ingredients from all of their formulations, including parabens, phthalates, oxybenzone, and more. 

The harmful ingredients mentioned above can be irritating to the skin. Therefore, organic sunscreens are naturally gentler. For those with ultra-sensitive skin, you can also opt for an organic mineral sunscreen like COOLA's Sheer Matte Mineral Face Lotion – Tinted, which is free of fragrances and silicones, further reducing the chance of irritation.

Organic also means that the ingredients contain higher nutrient levels. Studies4 have shown that soil from organic farms contains 32% to 84% more microbial nutrients. When soil has fewer microbes, plants are nutrient-deficient4 and, consequently, far less nourishing. The same research4 also revealed that plants grown on organic farms contain 18% to 36% more minerals and age-fighting antioxidants than plants grown on conventional farms. 

Scientists have estimated that 14,000 tons of sunscreen end up washing into the ocean each year. Much of that sunscreen contains toxic ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate, which contribute to coral bleaching. Not only does COOLA use organic ingredients, which are better for our ecosystem, but they also utilize sustainable production practices, such as responsible sourcing and recyclable packaging. 

Summer is the season of outdoor everything—as it should be. But that means the need for sun protection is even more critical. So whether you're hitting the lake for some stand-up paddle board, or rounding out the day with a sunset picnic, don't forget to pack a high-quality sunscreen that's good for your body and the planet. And because we all know summer goes by too fast…don't put that sunscreen away come September—all day, every day!