the only sunscreen worth anything at all is zinc. And a life time supply can be bought for pennies and added to any cooling oil (coconut) or jojoba, or aloe, or any lotion of your choice. All the rest of the chemicals DO NOT work and are toxic for your skin. The worst rays, are the ones that don’t tan or burn visibly, and NONE of the chemicals used protect against that. Natural zinc protects, harmlessly to your skin and to the environment.
I have no financial interest in this at all:
Janca’s Jojoba Oil and Seed Co. has zinc. I bought the smallest quantity (lb or something for about 5 bucks) years and years ago —– I have shared it with many and still have a life time supply left.
Both short and long range UVA and UVB rays are protected by zinc. Also, UVA rays damage skin, however you don’t burn from UVA so you don’t see the damage, …. but all of the chemicals used do NOT protect against UVA.
For zinc, Dilute it enough in lotion or oil (1% to 8% for total coverage) for the facial area and hands, rub it in, etc., and you can pretty much avoid the white paste look. I slather it on with coconut oil in Hawaii and could care less about the white paste look. Also, zinc is non polluting to the water and ecosystems.
PS> I make my own face powder with zinc and pulverized powdered pink rose petals. when the pink rose petals are dry they are a pale pinkish tan color. I add a hefty amount of zinc powder to that (about 30%) and have face powder for very cheap and natural and an excellent sun block. I get the 100% rose facial powder (to which I add zinc) from the (East) Indian stores.