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NATURAL VEGAN MINERAL SUNSCREENS: A MUST-HAVE IN MEN’S SKINCARE

Written by Menswear Style in Beauty on the 25th July 2024

Whether you are commuting to the office, going on morning jogs, or planning a trip to the beach, you should break out the sunscreen to keep your skin in top shape. Regardless of your tolerance to sunlight or your natural skin color, adding sunscreen to your skincare routine is crucial for good skin health. This article will discuss the benefits of adding natural vegan mineral sunscreens to your daily routine, including how they can protect you and how to pick the best one. Continue reading to find out why mineral sunscreens are essential for men’s skincare.

Why You Should Start Using Natural Vegan Mineral Sunscreens

Here are some of the many reasons why you should pick up a bottle of vegan mineral sunscreen before your next day out.

Gentler Formulas for Fewer Acne Breakouts

Vegan mineral sunscreens are formulated for people with more sensitive skin. They contain gentler ingredients that provide protection from UVA and UVB rays, without potentially leading to acne breakouts and skin irritation. This is especially important for men who spend the majority of their time outdoors, whether for work or recreational activities.

Ideal for Frequent Shavers

Even without constant sun exposure, vegan mineral sunscreen is helpful if you find yourself shaving frequently. Shaving is a form of exfoliation, since it removes dead skin cells from the top layer of your skin alongside facial hair. This exposed skin will be more likely to dry out. Adding a moisturizing sunscreen to your skincare routine will help prevent your skin from drying out.

It Helps Against Environmental Stressors

Men have biologically thicker and tougher skin compared to women, but that toughness is not enough to combat all the environmental stressors they may be exposed to. Going outside means being exposed to sunlight, pollution, and other environmental factors, all of which can dry out your skin and cause further issues down the line. Additionally, after a certain age, men are more likely to develop skin cancer than women. Regularly using sunscreen can lower those odds. Applying a layer of sunscreen can defend against the sun’s UV rays. Use an SPF 30 or higher broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect against both UVA and UVB rays. NOTE: UVB rays are the primary contributor to skin cancer compared to UVA rays.

Prevents Premature Skin Aging

When UV rays hit exposed skin, it causes deep-set damage. This damage occurs in the deepest layer of the skin, and will eventually surface after enough time in the form of skin aging. This premature skin aging will rapidly lead to signs of visible aging, like wrinkles and sun spots, but it can be easily prevented by wearing sunscreen. Wearing mineral sunscreens can prevent this issue and keep your skin looking good.

They Can Even Out Your Complexion

As mentioned above, sun exposure will lead to sun spots and an uneven complexion. The ingredients of a mineral sunscreen will prevent these spots from darkening further, without being absorbed into the skin. However, the best way to avoid further sun spot issues is to stay out of the sun as much as possible.

What Benefits Do Vegan Mineral Sunscreens Bring Compared to Non-vegan Options?

One of the main benefits of vegan mineral sunscreens is their non-harmful production. As the name implies, these sunscreens do not involve animal products or animal testing at every step of the process, from the production to the ingredients used in them. This makes them a much more sustainable and cruelty-free option compared to other sunscreens. Connected to that benefit, mineral sunscreens are safe for ocean life. Many chemical sunscreens have ingredients that are harmful to coral reefs and ocean life, like octinoxate and oxybenzone. Another benefit of mineral sunscreens is that they only stay on the surface of your skin. Chemical sunscreens get absorbed into the skin, which could be bad for your health. Mineral sunscreens also take less time to “set,” which means you get nearly instant UV protection compared to most chemical-based sunscreens.

How to Pick the Best Sunscreen

The best sunscreens usually have a combination of 4 factors - good SPF rating, the ideal formulation for your preferences and skin type, safe ingredients, and certifications.

SPF Rating

The most obvious factor in picking a sunscreen is the SPF rating. This determines the strength of the protection that the sunscreen offers, with a higher number meaning more protection. Having a minimum SPF of at least 30 is recommended for most men who are exposed to the sun in normal amounts. You can get away with less, but only if you tend to stay indoors most of the time. However, note that indirect sunlight can still lead to sun exposure issues, so applying sunscreen is still recommended if you live in sunny areas.

Formulation

The formulation type is a factor you should consider that depends on your own personal preference. Here are some typical sunscreen formulations.

- Lotion

- Stick

- Spray

- Serum

Each has its pros and cons. For example, applying a spray provides the least hassle, but it may not stick as strongly to the skin as a thoroughly blended lotion. Figure out what the best type of formulation is for your skincare routine. Remember, if you end up not using it because it is a hassle, it becomes useless.

Certifications

If you are concerned with how these sunscreens are made, check the certifications given by independent groups. This includes Vegan Action, Leaping Bunny, and PETA’s Bunny. Vegan Action certification means that the product uses 100% vegan ingredients. Meanwhile, Leaping Bunny certification means that the product was tested and created using cruelty-free methods. Finally, PETA’s bunny certification means that the product is cruelty-free, but you should still check if it is vegan.

Ingredients

The best ingredients you can find in mineral sunscreens include Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. These are great ingredients as they offer protection while not irritating skin. Additionally, you should pay close attention to the ingredient list if you know you are allergic to certain materials. It can save you a lot of headaches, rashes, and medical bills.

Final Thoughts

While sunscreen may not be your first priority for your daily skincare routine, it is one of the most important steps. It has a lot of benefits including preventing skin aging and cancer. Vegan mineral sunscreens bring even more benefits, including near-instant protection, non-absorption into the skin, and being cruelty free towards animals. Picking the best sunscreen for your needs involves choosing the best SPF, formulation type, certification, and ingredients. Go get yourself a daily sunscreen now!