The ABC’s of SPF

Skincare experts agree that the best thing you can do for your skin is wear sunscreen daily. But the greasy texture and harmful ingredients that are all too common among drugstore options makes us think twice. That’s why we developed a wide variety of sun care products that actually feel (and act) like skin care with ZERO harmful ingredients! For protection against harmful UV rays plus lots of other skin care benefits, look to our five awesome sun care products: Perfect Sunscreen for Face, Perfect Sunscreen for Body, After Glow Soothing After-Sun Gel, Perfect Balm Sunscreen for Lips and Sunny Bunny Sunscreen Cream for Baby. With each of these products, our main priority is to keep your skin safe with gentle ingredients and easy application. Even better – they’re all completely reef-safe and gentle on the planet, too. Though it may sound too good to be true, it’s easy as ABC! Keep reading to learn more about the ABCs of SPF.

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Aloe is frequently used around the world in a variety of products because it is sustainable, easily accessible and has an endless amount of uses and benefits. The extracts and juices from aloe vera plants are commonly known for their hydrating properties and are a go-to remedy to soothe burns and rashes – especially sunburn, as shown in our very own After Glow! Aloe is also used as an emollient in our Perfect Sunscreens and Sunny Bunny Sunscreen to provide a smooth and easy application while hydrating your, or your baby’s, skin.
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter
Commonly known as Shea Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii is present in Perfect Sunscreen for Body, Perfect Balm Sunscreen and Sunny Bunny Sunscreen. It is a creamy fat extracted from the nut of the African Butyrospermum Parkii tree. Shea butter is often used because of its rich moisturizing properties.
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
This coconut-derived amino acid naturally preserves our sunscreen. This ingredient allows us to avoid parabens and other preservatives that may be linked to hormone disruption and other no-nos. Because of Caprylhydroxamic Acid, your Perfect Sunscreen for Face, Perfect Sunscreen for Body and Sunny Bunny Sunscreen can come with you on the most sweltering of summer days!
Diheptyl Succinate
This is an emollient used to enhance the way our sunscreens feel on your skin. Diheptyl Succinate is a 100% natural product that has made it possible for beauty brands like LimeLife to avoid using silicones. It’s also very environmentally friendly!
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Featured in our After Glow Soothing After-Sun Gel, Eucalyptus Essential Oil is freshly scented and features antimicrobial properties. Though the pure oil itself is best used in moderation, just a touch brings a refreshing zing to After Glow.
Ferments
In our After Glow Soothing After-Sun Gel, there are ingredients listed like Magnesium Ferment, Silicon Ferment and Zinc Ferment. These ferments are not metals themselves, but in fact are forms of yeast with the presence of metal ions. This isn’t chemistry class, but what you should know is that these ingredients are naturally derived, completely safe and work to help your skin absorb After Glow and feel relief from inflammation.
Glycerin
Glycerin is another commonly used ingredient in skin care. It shows up in our Perfect Sunscreen, After Glow and Sunny Bunny Sunscreen. It is colorless, odorless and has a rich texture. There are several variations of this ingredient, but ours is organic and plant derived. Glycerin naturally draws water into the skin to maintain hydration and acts as an emollient for a smooth application.
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil

RELATED: Sun Damage Prevention 101

We all know that sunflower seeds are one of the best summer snacks, but did you know that their naturally derived oils are in our Perfect Sunscreen and Perfect Balm? Sunflower Seed Oil has a wide range of benefits, acting as both a moisturizer and a source of antioxidant Vitamin E. What could be better for a sunny day?
Isoamyl Cocoate
Present in our Perfect Sunscreen for Face, Isoamyl Cocoate is a lightweight and easily absorbed emollient that is naturally derived from sugar beets or coconuts. We love it because it’s a natural replacement for silicone that’s produced using enzymatic catalysis. This saves 60% on energy consumption and CO2 emissions compared to other processes!
Jojoba (Simmondsia Chinensis) Seed Oil
Despite the name, Jojoba Seed Oil is a wax, but because it has such a low melting point it usually exists as a liquid. This chameleon-like ingredient closely mimics our skin’s own protective barrier, making it perfect for the Perfect Sunscreen for Face. Because of its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, Jojoba is often used to prevent or treat acne.
Kernel Oil (Argania Spinosa)
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, often referred to as Argan Oil, is used in our Perfect Balm Sunscreen for Lips. Argan Oil is developed from the kernels of the Argan tree and offers a multitude of benefits, like moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties. This “liquid gold of Morocco” is prevalent in so many beauty products for this reason!
Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil
Lavender Oil is one of the best ingredients for luxurious and natural skin care. Lavandula Angustifolia is present in our Perfect Sunscreen for Face and Body, After Glow and Sunny Bunny Sunscreen. It soothes skin and has an incredible relaxing scent that enhances everything it’s added to.
Microcrystalline Cellulose
Microcrystalline Cellulose is an inactive refined wood powder used in our Perfect Sunscreen for Body and the Sunny Bunny Sunscreen Cream for Baby. It offers texturizing and anti-caking properties, giving our sunscreens a lovely feel on the skin.
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
Niacinamide, or Vitamin B3, naturally and dramatically reduces the appearance of dark spots and fine lines. It is present in our Perfect Sunscreen for Face, giving you non-irritating skin TLC alongside your necessary SPF.
Oxybenzone and Octinoxate
These ingredients are NOT in any LimeLife by Alcone products, and for good reason. Oxybenzone and Octinoxate are common active ingredients in chemical sunscreens that have been proven to cause harm to coral reefs. In developing our sunscreens, coral reef preservation was always on our mind and was a top priority in finding our perfect reef-safe formula. 
Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil
Rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids, Avocado Oil is ideal for dry, sun damaged, or mature skin. This nutrient-rich ingredient has proven to help reduce the appearance of dark spots and even treat wounds. It’s for all these amazing reasons that we feature Avocado Oil in our Perfect Sunscreen for Face!
Quit Indoor Tanning
Just say no to tanning beds! According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, more than 419,000 cases of skin cancer in the U.S. each year are linked to indoor tanning. The best way to get your dream summer glow is with our Perfect Bronzer Powder, Perfect Glow Moisturizing Bronzing Lotion or Perfect Glow Drops Coconut Illuminator.

RELATED: Check out this post to learn more about getting the safest tan possible! 

Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf ExtractRosemary is another one of our favorite herbs to share with you in our products! Rosemary Leaf Extract is featured in our Perfect Sunscreen for Face and offers amazing astringent and toning properties.
Sodium Gluconate
Despite its science-y name, Sodium Gluconate is a totally natural preservative used in our Perfect Sunscreen for Body and Sunny Bunny Sunscreen Cream for Baby. It’s a natural compound developed from sugar that helps us avoid more harmful preservatives!
Tocopherol (Vitamin E)
Present in Perfect Sunscreen for Face, After Glow and Sunny Bunny Sunscreen, Vitamin E is a strong antioxidant that also helps hydrate and moisturize skin. We love to include essential vitamins in our products!
UV Rays
UV rays can be super harmful to the skin, having been proven to advance aging, cause painful sunburns and even contribute to cancer. There are two types of UV Rays—UVA and UVB—and both can wreak major havoc on your skin. Thankfully, our sunscreens are all broad spectrum, meaning that they offer protection from both kinds of UV. Win-win!
Water
Purified water is essential! It plays a role in making all our sun care products, and it does double-duty creating a creamy texture and keeping your skin hydrated. It also serves as a good reminder: when you’re in the sun, be sure to drink a lot of water so as not to get dehydrated!
Xanthan Gum
One of the team players in making our Perfect Sunscreen for Face silky smooth, Xanthan Gum is a top naturally derived thickener in skin care and even in food! Xanthan Gum works to bind ingredients together and to create a pleasant texture.
Yeast
Various yeasts are often used in skincare products for many different reasons. Yeasts can make a skin care more absorbable, give it a longer shelf life and can even benefit the skin by improving collagen synthesis. You may have noticed that some of the ABCs on this list are yeasts—they offer so many benefits!
Zinc Oxide
Zinc Oxide is the most important ingredient in all of our sun protection products—it is the one and only active ingredient! This mineral is the safest option when it comes to active ingredients because it is naturally derived and provides powerful broad spectrum sun protection. And yes, it is safe for the environment!

Click here to shop LimeLife’s Sun Care Line all made with safe ingredients!

No matter the season, sun care is always in style. Tag us in a photo showing off your go-to LimeLife sun care product in your favorite sunny day destination!