Sun Protection for the Bridal Party

Summer is officially here! I always have to remind Brides (and bridesmaids) to avoid sun damage and tan-lines before the Wedding.

For my little one at home, I had searched all over for an all-natural, non-toxic and biodegradeable sunscreen product. I am happy to share about these two that we have been using for over a year:

1. Mexitan Sunscreen Lotion – It comes in SPF8, 15 or 30.

Active ingredients are Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide. Other natural ingredients include Sunflower Oil,,Green Tea Extract, Coconut Oil, Almond Oil, Lanolin, Tocopherol Acetate (Vitamin-E), Eucalyptus Oil and Ascorbyl Palmitate (Vitamin-C)

Mexitan has a non-greasy feel and my husband has used it extensively for golf without getting burnt once. It's also great value for a large 8 oz. bottle.

2) Badger Sunblock – Comes in SPF 15 and SPF 30.

SPF 15 Active Ingredient is Micronized Zinc Oxide 12.5% (Zinc Oxide is a non-Whitening, naturally occurring mineral.) Other Ingredients include Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Natural Beeswax, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Cocoa Butter, Wild African Shea Butter, Organic CO2 Extract of Seabuckthorn Berry, and Essential Oils of Lavender, Moroccan Blue Tansy, Ylang Ylang, Lime and Orange.

SPF 30 Active Ingredient is 20.5% Micronized Zinc Oxide. Other ingredients include Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Natural Beeswax, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Cocoa Butter, Wild African Shea Butter, Organic CO2 Extract of Seabuckthorn Berry, and Essential Oils of Lavender, Moroccan Blue Tansy, Ylang Ylang, Lime and Orange.

The Badger sunblock has a more emollient feel which is great for the face, as I can skip the moisturizer. They make an SPF 15 Lip Balm Stick as well.

All of the above can be purchased online.

On the Wedding Day, it’s also a good idea for the Bridal Party to carry a bottle of Aloe Vera Gel. I have seen Brides and bridesmaids getting sun-burnt just from an afternoon outdoor photoshoot. For Aloe Vera Gel, I recommend "Fruit of the Earth" (available from Walmart) or "Aubrey Organics" (available from Capers, Choices and many other health food stores).

Michelle Wong
Bridal Makeup Artist & Hairstylist – Vancouver, BC, Canada
www.michellemakeup.com