Sunscreen/ suncream for black skin natural skincare freaks (like me)

So, or rather, pues... since I have just got back from España. I'm a warm shade of roasted cinnamon, with the most even tan I think I've ever had. But mostly, I was protected thanks to my current favourite sunscreen, sans carcinogenic ingredients. 

Before I explain what to avoid/ embrace, know that in my 34 years I have tried them ALL! From Soltan at Boots, to Coola that had to be recalled (ask them not me), to the stuff in Saino's mama bought when we were little and stuff my cousin Gary (formerly known as the plastic boy) shares with me.

I'm writing this down so that the wellness girlies - this is the Jim + Henry website after all - 10 ingredients or fewer, and officially the UK's first brand to create a leave-in hair conditioner (at the time) made of only 8 ingredients, Vegan, organic ingredients, too - no longer have to search for a natural sunscreen/ suncream (I'm using the former throughout). This is for those of us who are purists, like me, you're acutely aware of every single ingredient and you avoid dodgy ingredients like the plague. It all matters after all, and it all contributes, so why not make an informed choice, eh?

One final digression before I divulge the facts: I'm mixed race, my natural skin tone (no tan) is between Nathalie Emmanuel, Jada Pinkett Smith and Enva Lewis. When I'm tanned however I go a gorgeous shade of cinnamon. 

Now, let's talk sunscreen

Ones I don't love

La Roche Posay

 

Violette (not bad but smells that funky smell mildly fishy),

Ultrasun (high factor but full of chemicals)

Ok and can we talk about cast?!

I’m brown, I need something that sinks in, that doesn’t leave my skin grey, or in some cases an off-shade of pink (Sun Tribe zinc, ‘red clay’ and by red they mean a pale pink).

I personally can’t stand tallow balm or tallow sun cream, I don’t find it moisturising but rather drying, but my big sister likes this one, and they're a lovely brand.

Good for her, I have a slightly dryer skin type and have never found it moisturising, but you might love it, and it’s natural. 

I really, really love Badger factor 40. It’s a fairly yellow and thick when it comes out, but when applied leaves a sort of white-ish cast on my brown skin. There's no yellow whatsoever when applied. Obviously it's mineral. I chose the baby one because I always think the ingredients are gentler.

*Note, that's not always the case and I always have to do research, but in this case it only contain 9 ingredients. Oh AND one of those is chamomile; I have the most sensitive nose in the world and I can literally sniff out a toxic product, but this is the pure stuff, they use Roman Chamomile, just like we do, so it's a big win for me.

Back to the white cast issue, it's not as white as some, but I've found the remedy: seabuckthorn oil.  I've known about this special, somewhat-staining ingredient for years. Super moisturising, but mostly, I knew it would solve the cast issue.

Seabuckthorn is a carrier oil, not essential, so you can use plenty. It’s a bright, but also intense orange that stains - exactly what I need because it balances out the white cast when mixed with the Badger factor 40 sun cream. 

I used this recently on holiday and whilst I got a beautifully even tan, I was very protected. I normally get factor 50, but couldn’t find it online so I just chose this one. I’ll likely buy it again because it’s so good, 98% natural and I understand every single ingredient on the label. 

I also bought thinksport one because I’m low on the Badger sunscreen because it’s equally natural and was on offer on Amazon. I haven’t tried it yet, but it’s factor 50 and has pretty much the same ingredients as Badger. 

I usually wear sunscreen most days, but after bad reactions to Suntribe (100% natural) and La Roche Posay making me feel sticky even though it’s light and sinks in so well, I prefer a mix and blend version because I know what’s in it, and I like how it feels, not to mention the stellar protection. Also, cmon, I manufacture haircare, I'm going to add a little here and there if it makes application easier, end result better and doesn't weaken the strength of protection.

I’ll update this when I’ve used the thinksport one, but I’ll repurchase the Badger suncream again because it’s just so lovely and natural. 

Now what about our hair? I couldn't write a post without mentioning our healthy, but let's face it, thirsty AF in the heat, curls. Here's my recs:

A scarf.

A hat.

Hair conditioner.

That’s it. I like to keep it simple when I holiday because I want to be hiking/ swimming in the sea/ relaxing and not overthinking about my hair. So I keep it simple for peace of mind.

Note that all I did on holiday was SOAK, and I mean COAT my hair in lots of Ten pro leave-in conditioner, hence why it looked so lovely. I felt very cared for and pampered. Even if I say so myself.

But for extra protection do this:

Silky strands - Practice (pre-trip) wrapping the silk scarf in a way that is most comfortable, but also is covering enough so that you feel protected: hair line and most of the top of your head covered are my tips, but you know what works for you. For ultimate protection ensure most of your scalp is covered by the scarf. Your curls will thank me later.

Hat hair - Choose a hat (that you’re comfortable wearing them removing for lunch if you’re outside in the elements then popping to a restaurant) that works for your hair, your style, and that you're comfortable wearing when on the beach/ hiking/ cycling in the sun/ cavorting in some of your favourite and undiscovered places in the world. The point is your hat needs to stay on for lovely roots and strands, curls and coils to be protected from the heat.

And always, always use your leave-in.

I hope this was helpful. Happy travels.