Organic Pick of the Week: John Masters Natural Mineral Sunscreen
Friday, August 6, 2010 at 12:35PM 
Like most Chicagoans, summer is a time when I get outside to tank up on sunshine. But with fair skin, I always have to be careful of too much sun exposure so I'm always on the lookout for a good sunscreen.
On a recent trip to Nantucket, I got a chance to try out John Masters Organics SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen during a week of sailing, swimming and biking around the island. Not only did I return with a nice tan (look, no sunburns Mom!), I really enjoyed the light-weight and fragrance free formula.
Environmental Working Group recently did a safety study about sunscreen and they determined that "mineral sunscreens have the best safety profile of today’s choices. They are stable in sunlight and do not appear to penetrate the skin." John Masters Organics sunscreen combines titanium dioxide and zinc oxide for skin protection and includes shea butter, green tea extract and jojoba for their moisturizing and anti-oxidant properties. The cream does not contain nano-particles and is fully bio-degradable.
At 32 bucks a pop, this sunscreen is on the higher end of choices on the market but I think it's a worthwhile purchase, even if you decide to use it only on your face.
-Dorothée
Reader Comments (2)
As far as natural sunscreens go, the ingredients here are pretty good. With one exception. While titanium dioxide is natural, it isn't safe. Titanium Dioxide is photosensitive. It breaks down in sunlight and causes DNA damage. Not a good trait in a sunscreen.
Another bad, but natural ingredient found in some "organic cosmetics" is bismuth oxychloride. It can cause really bad skin reactions on those with sensitivities. Lost of people are sensitive to it too!