Safe and Natural Physical Sunscreen Ingredients and Base

Regarding your interest in creating natural physical sunscreen products and your research on non-nano Zinc Oxide, you are correct that non-nano particles are generally preferred for safety as they are less likely to be absorbed into the skin. MySkinRecipes offers options that align with this approach.

Recommended Non-Nano UV Filters

For a safe and effective natural physical sunscreen, the primary active ingredients are typically Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. MySkinRecipes offers non-nano versions suitable for this purpose:

• Zinc Oxide 200nm EasyDisperse™: This is a non-nano Zinc Oxide (average 200nm particle size) that is coated to disperse easily in oil or silicone bases, making it ideal for physical sunscreens. It provides excellent broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection.
• ZeoBlock™ (UV-Cutting Zeolite, Non-Nano): This is another non-nano ingredient that absorbs UVA and UVB light. It has a smooth texture, helps boost SPF/PA, and can improve the feel of the sunscreen without causing significant whitening.

Combining both Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide (if a suitable non-nano version for sunscreen is available) is often recommended for comprehensive broad-spectrum protection, as they protect against different parts of the UV spectrum.

Choosing a Base for Natural Sunscreen

Creating a truly 100% natural cream base that is stable and has a long shelf life for a physical sunscreen can be challenging. Physical UV filters like Zinc Oxide need to be properly dispersed in the base to ensure even coverage and effective sun protection.

• Oil-based or Silicone-based: Physical filters are often dispersed in oil or silicone phases, as mentioned in the description for Zinc Oxide 200nm EasyDisperse™. These bases help the powders spread evenly.
• Natural Emulsifiers: While natural emulsifiers like soy lecithin can be used to create cream bases, they may result in a shorter shelf life compared to formulations using synthetic cream makers.

For products aiming for a "natural" claim while ensuring stability and efficacy, a common approach is to use a high percentage of natural ingredients (e.g., oils, butters, plant extracts) combined with a small percentage (1-2%) of a stable cream maker that might not be considered 100% natural. This allows for a claim like "98% Natural" while achieving a stable and effective product.

When formulating, ensure the UV filters are fully dispersed in the chosen base before combining phases (if making an emulsion) to achieve maximum sun protection performance.