Information about Karen's Botanicals Zinc Oxide and Sunscreen
We understand our customer’s ongoing concern with finding safe and effective sunscreens. Our moisturizing sunscreens have received the top ratings in the Environmental Working Group 2010 Sunscreen Safety Guide.
We use micronized zinc oxide as the active ingredient in our sunscreens because it provides a natural, safe, and highly effective physical barrier to both UVB and UVA rays. Natural mineral sunscreens, like zinc oxide, are more effective and potentially much safer than chemical sunscreens for both people and the environment. ‘Micronized’ is a general term for particles ground to very fine size, measured in microns. We use this type of zinc oxide because it provides the safest and best protection against the sun. It also less whitening than larger particle sunscreens.
Nanoparticles are particles between 1 and 100nm (nanometers or billionths of a meter). Our zinc oxide has an average size of 240nm so it does not fall into the nanoparticle category.
Please note that nanoparticles refer to very fine powders measured in nanometers. “Nanotechnology” is a separate field of emerging molecular/atomic science.
Some consumer advocate groups popularize the nanoparticle controversy by highlighting the potential health risks caused by nanoparticles entering tissues, blood, or lungs. Scientific and regulatory literature overwhelmingly show that particles of zinc oxide greater than 30nm, when applied in a cream to healthy skin, do not get absorbed into the body, do not enter the bloodstream, and are not a threat to human health. There are no studies showing that nanoparticles of zinc oxide can penetrate human skin, whereas there are several studies showing that chemical sunscreen ingredients, which are molecular in size and thus significantly smaller than nanoparticles, are absorbed into the blood.
The FDA has declared the use of nanoparticles safe in cosmetics and sunscreens. Many conscientious media organizations such as The Environmental Working Group and National Geographic’s “The Green Guide” remain skeptical of nanoparticles yet they acknowledge their safety and efficacy in sunscreens and recommend them over chemical based sunscreens. We believe that micronized zinc oxide sunscreens are the safest for human health and for the environment. The best protection from the sun is to stay in the shade or wear protective clothing and a hat. But if you’re going expose your skin to the sun you should protect it, and a mineral based sunscreen is the safest and most effective means to that end.
See our great ratings at
The Environmental Working Group 2010 Sunscreen Guide
Sunscreen: The Burning Facts – Document by the Environmental Protection Agency
Facts About Sunscreens -American Academy of Dermatology
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~ Luxurious and natural skin and body care
~ Plant based nutrition and therapy
~ Handcrafted attention to detail and quality
~ Exquisite and effective formulas that are fairly priced
~ Approximately 90% of our ingredients are certified organic
We create natural personal care products such as facial creams, body lotions,
cleansers and toners, aromatherapy mists, massage and body oils,
healing
salves and
balms, natural cough syrup, Love Potion, organic hot sauce,
Ester C Rejuvenating Facial Serum and more.
Contact Karen's Botanicals
Email
Telephone: 610-926-6169
343 Plum Road, Mohrsville, PA 19541
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